I have often found myself standing in some store with a product in my hand. My mind doing whirlwinds. Do I buy this? Is it green enough to reduce my footprint? How can I reuse it once I am done with it? If I can’t reuse it, can it be recycled? The list goes on and on. I know that I am not the only one who has done this. Since my adaptations into Green living began, I am steadily making small changes that I KNOW make a difference. However, it is getting more difficult as my journey progresses. So exactly how much change is enough? How much should I consider the earth as a consumer in today’s world? Honestly, I say that we need to do all that we can. We need to consider every aspect of our purchases. We also need to be realistic.

Below you will find a list of some things you can do, without thought as you begin or continue your journey to reduce your footprint:

1. Switch to paper products that are made from recycled materials. When I began this journey, I was still using styrofoam. Yes. I know. I should be shot. However, now, I am proud to say that I have switched to paper plates when I can’t use glass. I have stopped using paper cups completely let alone those cups made from that styro-stuff I am no longer mentioning. Whenever you are invited to a party being held by someone else, offer to bring the paper products as a way to help the hostess. That way you KNOW the party is also greening up. Are you a team or classroom mom? Invest in some cute plastic cups to use and then rewash for the events. You can often find these items at a discount store for a very inexpensive price and the footprint for reusing even plastic cups over a period of 6 months is much less than using disposable products on a weekly basis.

2. Consider the amount of waste that your family is putting out. I am not talking about your poo. I am talking about the items that you toss into the trash. Rather than using your garbage disposal that not only uses electricity and water, why not set up a compost pot to dump that food waste into? It is easy to put your food scraps into an old coffee container with a lid and take them out to the back corner of  your yard on a regular basis. This compost will fertilize your trees, your grass or better yet – a garden. We all know what good plants are to our environment. Once you eliminate your food waste. Work on the rest of your trash. Find a burn barrel to get rid of the paper products. Then add that ash to your compost pile. The plastics? If your community doesn’t have a curbside recycling program – find a recycling center and deliver them yourself while you are out running your normal errands.

3. Now that I mention errands..how many of you find yourself dashing out to “grab” something that you forgot or suddenly need at the last minute? Think about what each of these spur of the moment trips costs our environment. Gas for your vehicle, emissions from that vehicle, energy from you and most of all – your time. The final pleas that I make to you to begin or to continue to change your life is to GET ORGANIZED!!! I have one day that our family calls errand day. That day is the day that I do ALL of my shopping. I do all of my banking. I gas up my car if needed. I stop by the post office. Anything that needs to be handled – I do it in one day. “But Queenie, how on earth do I get it all done in one day” you ask? You make a master list and stick it in a central location in your home. On one side of that list, you write the places you need to go as well as any details that need to be handled (IE: Post office  – mail card to Mom for bday, send package to sister ) This will make sure that you don’t forget to do one of those important tasks as well as help you remember to TAKE that card or package with you on errand day. On the other side of this list you start making your grocery list. If you are running low on something, add it to the list. Teach your S/O and kiddos to do the same. If you get done with errands and find you are out or low on something, put it on the list until next week. It won’t take long to retrain everyone to actually write stuff on your list. I make my list for the coming week on Sunday evening when my house is winding down and fairly quiet (or at the very latest, first thing on Monday morning). I do my errands on Friday. This schedule just works in our house. You of course may find a different time works better for you. This simple process will cut down your gas consumption, your mileage use on your vehicle, the wear on your tires…I could go on and on.

4. Turn off  your lights and your water. I am not telling you to go without however I am telling you to shut off the water while you brush your teeth. Don’t let the water run in your sink while you are cleaning veggies. Fix your leaky faucets. If you aren’t in the room, shut off your lights. You don’t need the hall light on to walk to your bedroom if the sun is up. If you don’t NEED it, turn it off. Then teach your family to do the same.

Four simple things that can help our planet. Yet, you are still standing in that store aisle with that plastic headband in your hand wondering what to do?  My rule as I am saving the planet…If the purchase costs less than 100 bucks, if it can make my life simpler and will last me more than a month when I use it – I don’t think twice about the purchase. I realize this may not follow EVERY rule that I am preaching here. However, my life needs to be as efficient as possible so that I am free to conquer the world and fight the BIG battles. My 4 dollar plastic headbands make that possible for me. They last me well over a year. In that year, I assure you that I most certainly will try to find a way to reuse them.

What are your ideas for simplifying and greening up?