Did you ever think you were green before the term, being green was coined? Were some of your actions just plain green before everyone started counting them as part of the old reduce your carbon footprint jargon? Maybe you actually don’t realize some of your habits are pretty green but never stopped to think about it. Read on to see how you might be greener than you think.
Flushing the Toilet:
How many of you flush the toliet after every bowel movement? Come on. Let’s be honest. If you are like my kids, they flush about 80 percent of the time after #2 and maybe 50% after #1. (That is when it makes it into the bowl And I haven’t sat in it. I know the “ick factor.”)
I honestly forget sometimes to flush after #1 especially in an upstairs bathroom since I am rushing from one chore to another.
Given the fact that toilets waste a lot of water each year, not flushing after number #1 is not the worse crime in the world. (But, cleaning urine stains in bowls are not fun either… Balance, people, balance.)
Want to go a further step and not use toilet paper too? (You know, save the forests.) Take the Crunchy Chicken’s Cloth Wipe Challenge and use cloth wipes instead.
So, next time you are admonished for forgetting to flush the toilet tell them
Just saving the Earth. Just saving the Earth.
Wearing the same Clothes Forever :
Guilty as charged. Ask my sister. I tend to wear my clothes out until they are falling apart. I love the way worn clothes feel, plus I don’t really enjoy shopping. For me, I tend to buy timeless clothing. Love Consignment Shops. Just call me the Audrey Hepburn of green. Now, I am not saying that you should be retro unless you like the style. But do you need a dozen black pants or jeans in every shade of dark blue?
So, next time your friends who shop until they drop bug you to go the mall (yet another time), tell them you’ll pass and reply
Just saving the Earth. Just saving the Earth.
Not keeping up with the Joneses:
Driving a car that is older than three years? Not going out and buying every new electronic device known to man? Not updating your phone everytime a new one comes out? Could easily be counted as a participant for Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) without realizing that you are supposed to be participating?
Well if any of the above questions seem to apply, then you my friend, are the color green. Why? The more consumption, the more natural resources are depleted not to mention the toxic chemicals that may have been used to make some of the products. And how about all the fair trade issues of people in sweat shops around the world trying to keep up with all the demanding consumption?
So next time you rather not keep up with the Joneses, tell them
Just saving the Earth. Just saving the Earth.
Do you Own the Electric Company?
When I was growing up, my father would say, “turn off those lights, we don’t own the electric company.” How many of you have heard this phrase? I feel like I have become my father and constantly repeat it to my children with deaf ears.
They tell me they are cold. I tell them to put on clothes and not run around in shorts in the house when it is 17 degrees outside. We keep the temperature in the house around 67-68 degrees during the day and colder at night. Each degree of temperature that you reduce your thermostat saves you money and reduces your carbon footprint.
So when people complain that you are a miser, just tell them
Just saving the Earth. Just saving the Earth.
Fix Before you Toss:
I come from the school of trying to fix or patch it before you toss. Others simply toss if something does not work. Why bother. You can easily buy it new for the same or less cost. We have literally become a disposable society.
My food processor stopped working the other day. I took it apart thinking it was the belt, but it was intact. It was my husband’s before mine. If I had to guess its age, I would have to say it was about 25 years old. As I looked for a BPA-free food processor, I wasn’t thrilled with the negative comments about a particular brand. I just did not want to be the one that had the processor with its parts that broke right away.
My food processor has lasted 25 years plus plus. I looked at it with adoring eyes (kind of like Scarlett O’Hara when she spoke of her beloved Tara) and said out loud, “I’ll fix you buddy.” We have a bond, you know. (I curse at it and it doesn’t listen. Sounds like a beautiful husband and wife relationship.)
Tell me if I am wrong, but I find that products made years and years ago seem to last longer than those made today. Whether it is workmanship, the use of plastic, or what, it just seems to break easier. Do you agree?
I sew holes, patch things, and do about everything to keep what I have from going to a landfill. If an electronic componet wears out, I recycle it. I never toss.
So, if you have been accused of being too headstrong about fixing what you own, then tell people
Just saving the Earth. Just saving the Earth.
So, readers, next time you are accused of being any of the above and want to wiggle out of the criticisms just use my handy statement. Believe me. It will work like a charm. How can anyone get mad at that response?
Being green is “in” and you were there way before many of your friends. There is more to being green then bringing your own bag to the store. It is a way of life.
So, readers how have you been green all of your life and did not notice it until “being green” became a popular icon? Tell me why. No paper use here.
Condo Blues says
January 8, 2010 at 1:19 pmI grew up green – when it was just a color too. My parents always made us take care of things so they’d last and fix things when they are broken. I think part of the reason that newer items are less fixable when they break is that we are using circuit boards in more goods. I had an outdoor timer that wasn’t working. When I opened it up I saw that moisture had gotten in the housing and ruined the circuit board – a replacement part I couldn’t buy on it’s own and would be difficult to replace given the size and location of it.
.-= Condo Blues´s last blog ..I Saved 60% Because I Sew =-.
knutty knitter says
January 10, 2010 at 3:33 amI always use to the max and beyond. At the moment my stereo system is around 30, computer is around 10, microwave – no idea its just old, car is 1992 etc. I have a new blender though which is great – I never had one before.
Things were expensive when I was young and so had to last a very long time so we were always careful with our toys etc. Now the habit is so ingrained that I’d just feel endless guilt if I did anything else. That and the green thing hit when I was in my 20s round here although it didn’t become mainstream for the next 30 years.
viv in nz
Green Talk says
January 10, 2010 at 11:43 amKnutty, I feel the same way. Good for you for having “dinosaur” electronics. They probably will outlast the new ones. Anna
kathyg says
January 16, 2010 at 9:05 amyour father DID tell you to shut off the lights because we didn’t own the electric company. I know. I was there. I say it too. We have finally become our parents.
And wearing old clothes are fine as long as you cannot see through them, they are still somewhat stylish for this century or they have large shoulder pads from the 80’s Dynasty days. The Arther Treacher’s shirt is completely off limits.
KG
Green Talk says
January 16, 2010 at 12:59 pmKathy,
I knew you would reply. So what is wrong with my ratty Arthur Teacher shirt? Anna
Evan Testa says
March 27, 2010 at 11:52 pmgreat idea I have way to fix laptops who’s charger is not completely charging ! just use a q tip soaked with 70 or 90 percent rubbing alcohol solution. This isopropyl alcohol is wonderfully charged and will create not only a clean yet electrically charged laptop or adapter end piece without having to throw out the whole machine (which is what someone my age suggested .)
Green Talk says
March 28, 2010 at 5:13 pmEvan, what a great tip! Anna
Cathy says
April 28, 2010 at 12:55 amI have always shopped at thrift stores. I have always reused plastic bags/paper bags/boxes…you name it. We use them anywhere from packing stuff to homeschool stuff to bags for trash cans. In our house, we don’t flush till the pee starts to smell or turn brown. I used cloth diapers before they were cool. And I don’t have any clue how people afford new stuff all the time. We have even used old blankets and sheets for curtains.
.-= Cathy´s last blog ..My Greener Garden =-.
Green Talk says
April 28, 2010 at 1:31 amCathy, this is great! I love thrift shops too. Anna