Living Green

Earth Day 2009

Earth Day is April 22, 2009. Earth Day is the largest secular holiday in the world, celebrated by more than one billion people every year. Earth Day is April 22nd, but there will be events and celebrations all thru the month of April.

I’ll be participating with LightsOut Ohio by turning off my lights for at least one hour on Earth Day. This event is organized by the Sierra Club’s Portage Trail Group. Workplaces, schools and households are invited to join us by switching off non-essential lights for at least one hour on Earth Day. It’s a simple step toward making daily energy saving choices.

Earth Day Network has all the info you need to get involved. They coordinate all the Earth Day events worldwide. Making a few simple changes in your lifestyle can have a significant impact on the environment.

Living Green.
Simple things that make difference:

Turn out lights that aren’t needed.
Turn off computers at night or when not being used for several hours.
Refuse plastic bags at the checkout.
Bring reusable bags with you to the store.
Recycle paper, plastic, aluminum and glass.
Replace incandescent light bulbs with energy saving compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL).
Turn off the water when brushing teeth.
Turn the heat down a few degrees.
Turn the air conditioner up a few degrees.
Do not use styrofoam cups, plates and containers.

Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFL)

Mar 22nd, 2009

by Marilyn.

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I finally bought a package of compact fluorescent light bulbs. They’re more expensive than incandescent bulbs – As much as 2-4 times as much. But, they last longer and use less electricity. So, they’re more efficient and better for the environment. I’m slowly replacing bulbs as they burn out. Before long, I’ll have an all CFL home.

According to EnergyStar, a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, about 20% of a home’s electric bill is spent on lighting. Using CFL bulbs can reduce that by 75%. So, if your electric bill is $100, $20 is for lighting. Using CFL bulbs can reduce that to $5, saving $15 a month.

There’s only one problem with CFL bulbs. They contain a little mercury. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has strict guidelines to follow if a CFL light bulb breaks. The danger lasts long after the cleanup procedure, so read and follow the instructions.

Because they contain mercury, compact fluorescent light bulbs need to be disposed of at a recycling center. Home Depot has a recycling program.

The Common Craft Show has a plain English video explanation of CFL bulbs.

Plastic Bags

Jan 15th, 2009

by Marilyn.

3 comments

I’m trying hard to live green, but it’s not easy. I bought green, reusable bags to tote purchases home from the store. It’s becoming a habit to remember to take them into the store. But, I also have to remember to get them back to the car after I’ve used them.

It’s almost impossible to completely get away from plastic bags. The cashiers and baggers automatically start packing orders into their plastic bags. I can’t remember the last time I heard “paper or plastic.” They just put a couple items into each plastic bag. They can’t fill the bags because they tear too easy. So, if I don’t stop them, I end up taking home several bags. Then, I’m compelled to reuse or recycle.

I no longer use a plastic produce bag for each fruit and vegetable that I buy. I keep one of my cloth bags open in the cart and add tomatoes, apples, cucumbers and all the loose items into my bag. Then, at the check out, I set my bag on the counter and give the cashier an empty bag to transfer to as she rings up each item. So far, it’s working well.

It’s Time to Take Control

Oct 3rd, 2008

by Marilyn.

1 comment

To this day, I have trouble throwing things away. Maybe I’ll wear it again – just to work in the yard. Maybe it has just one more use before it falls apart. Maybe someone else can use it. What is it? It’s everything in my possession.

My parents were always conservative. They taught me well. I remember mom carefully washing aluminum foil, then gently folding it so she could use it again. Clothes were handed down. Paper written on one side was recycled as shopping lists and note paper. Dad saved scraps of wood and other construction material to use later. I remember him pounding old nails to straighten them so he could use them again. My family was green long before it was popular. We just didn’t know it.

So, here I am, after years of being very conservative. What do I have to show for it? Closets and drawers FULL of stuff. It’s time to change my relationship with my stuff. When a friend was moving out of state, she threw out tons of stuff and had garage sales to sell the better things. I asked how she could part with all of it. Her answer was so profound, her words still ring in my ears. “I can give away the things I like, because I’m keeping the things I love.”

So, now it’s my turn. I’m cleaning with a new attitude. I’m going to throw out everything that’s worn out and broken. I’ll donate to my favorite charity. I’ll sell and give away some things. And . . . I’ll keep the things I love.

I’ll be thinking about all the time I’ll have when I’m not in the middle of all the clutter and memories. And, in the end, it’s time that is our most precious resource. It can’t be saved. It must be spent wisely. I’m committed to making every day worth the time it’s costing me.

For a new view on time, check out the Life Expectancy Calculator by Peter Russell.

Marilyn Kvasnok

No More Wire Hangers

Sep 18th, 2008

by Marilyn.

1 comment

There was an old joke about never being able to find a “church key.” That was an old bottle opener for pop or beer bottles. Where could they be? At night, they sneaked into the closet and turned into hangers.

I always used to have tons of extra wire hangers. They came from the dry cleaners. I haven’t been to a dry cleaner in years. I no longer want to subject myself to the chemicals, but that’s another story. Now, there’s a solution to a closet full of wire hangers.

The video is an NBC Nightly News “America Goes Green” story with Brian Williams.

Marilyn Kvasnok