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OrganicBunny.com Living
10 Earth-Friendly Things You Can Do Right Now
by Laura
1. Recycle. Duh, right? Today it's so easy - the waste management service
in most areas now offers curbside recycling for paper, glass, plastic, and so on. So put
that plastic bin next to your regular garbage can and start using it. If recycling service
isn't offered curbside in your area, check with a local grocery store, school, church, or
charity; some of these organizations also sponsor recycling programs, from newspapers to
ink cartridges. For unusual items, you can contact your local paper, or just try using an
internet search engine for information about recycling a specific item in your zip code -
from cell phones to old toasters, the key is to stop and at least try to get it somewhere
other than the landfill.
2. Utilize secondhand retailers. I learned this tip in college, and
expanded upon it in later years. Everything from clothes to books to furniture can be found
via stores like Goodwill and Halfprice Books, local yard sales, and internet resources like
craigslist.com and Amazon.com, often at a reduced price to boot. Also, through most of these
resources, you can not only reuse someone else's stuff (thereby rescuing it from the landfill);
you can also pass along your own stuff, and maybe even make some extra cash. Another thought
on the secondhand theme: even antique malls and flea markets contribute by also following the
principle that it's better to give an object a second chance than throw it away. So get shopping!
(You could even find yourself on the verge of the newest fashion trend - with the way that fashion
is going, the stuff that once was "outdated" is now becoming "retro-chic.")
3. Got magazines? Share 'em. What happens to last month's issue of
Good Housekeeping or Yoga Journal? Instead of throwing them away, see if anyone else wants to
read them. If your friends already have a subscription, too, check to see if a local charity,
school, or shelter needs the material for art projects, fund raisers, or waiting rooms. If
you're permitted to do so, you could also add them to the breakroom for coworkers to enjoy on
coffee break.
4. Keep your refrigerator full and at a low setting. Did you know that
your fridge makes up a large amount of the energy consumption in your home? Little differences
here add up to big differences in the big picture. Refrigerators operate more efficiently when
they're full of chilled foods and beverages. So, use this as an excuse to get out to the grocery
(and try some organic products!). Also, if your fridge is old and you're considering a replacement,
look for Energy Star models. Not only will they help to save the earth; in the long run, they'll
also help to save you money in energy bills.
5. Try some organic products. You don't need to completely overhaul
your pantry. Start by deciding to switch to an organic or natural brand in just one area of
your life, and go from there. (You could reference the Organic Bunny archives for
ideas on where to start - so far we've tested products from dishwashing detergent to chocolate
bars!) For example, I first started the switch to organic with the decision to buy only organic
produce. Granted, it was more expensive, and often required me to go to a second store after my
usual shopping, but eating healthy and being earth-friendly were important to me. Along the way,
I also began to enjoy eating fresh produce more, because the organic stuff tastes better! And,
in an unanticipated little twist, I also noticed that I was becoming less wasteful: since organic
produce costs significantly more, I wanted to make sure that it actually got eaten. So I ate it,
instead of letting it rot in the bottom of my refrigerator, ignored in lieu of the potato chips.
If you think these are good ideas, check back next month for the rest of our "10 Earth-Friendly
Things You Can Do Right Now."
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Have you tried any of the ideas mentioned here? We'd love to hear from you!
Please tell us about it!
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