Environmental Stuff
Apr. 23rd, 2007 11:29 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dancerjodiRelated to Earth Day and other things, I've been thinking a lot about the stuff we use, the stuff we throw away, and what we can do to make things a bit better (both for the world and our pocketbooks). Related to this, I've been doing a couple of things.
I bought a rain barrel http://www.nerainbarrel.com/Waltham.html (the city offers a discount) and we'll pick it up next week. It will get water from the gutter on our garage, and I can use it to water our herb garden (and if I get enough water and a long enough hose, the front yard). I'm thinking of putting a small composting bucket outside, but I haven't done enough research on it yet. I don't do a ton of gardening, but all of the tea leaves I throw down the garbage disposal just seems like a waste. I could also buy a big compost bucket from the city for a discounted rate, but it was way bigger than I'd need. The jury is still out on that one.
I have played a bit with making my own cleaning products at home with some success. For a while I figured I'd use up what I have before making the total switch. I think though, I'm ready to just simplify things now and get the chemicals out of the house. It will be better for us, free up a lot of space on our basement stairway shelves, and will save us money. I'm reading this book for more recipes, cleaning tips and ideas on how to dispose of the bad stuff.
Brian and I are in the process of replacing the incandescent bulbs in our house with these particular flourescents that he likes that are true to natural light (it will take a while - they are expensive). He's picky because of how our costumes can look different in different rooms with most bulbs, and we do end up working on them all over the place.
I'm looking forward to fresh local produce again and as much of a pain in the butt it is to get groceries at various places, the questionable nature of our meat is making me want to make that effort, again. We have so many good resources around us to take advantage of, and we should. We live 3 doors down from a bakery where we could buy fresh bread (that wasn't made in a massive production line in a factory). We live close to various farms and to Russo's in Watertown (which is a wonderful place, if you don't kill someone with your cart in the crowd during the process of shopping). There's lots we can do in that area that I think won't break the bank.
All of these things I think come down to minor life adjustments, that once we're done and work them into our schedule will actually simplify things. It kind of feels like the whole scaling down effort that we went through, and continue to work on. It was so daunting at first but now I can't believe I lived the way that I used to live - its so freeing to simplify that much. It should be a neat challenge. :)
I bought a rain barrel http://www.nerainbarrel.com/Waltham.html (the city offers a discount) and we'll pick it up next week. It will get water from the gutter on our garage, and I can use it to water our herb garden (and if I get enough water and a long enough hose, the front yard). I'm thinking of putting a small composting bucket outside, but I haven't done enough research on it yet. I don't do a ton of gardening, but all of the tea leaves I throw down the garbage disposal just seems like a waste. I could also buy a big compost bucket from the city for a discounted rate, but it was way bigger than I'd need. The jury is still out on that one.
I have played a bit with making my own cleaning products at home with some success. For a while I figured I'd use up what I have before making the total switch. I think though, I'm ready to just simplify things now and get the chemicals out of the house. It will be better for us, free up a lot of space on our basement stairway shelves, and will save us money. I'm reading this book for more recipes, cleaning tips and ideas on how to dispose of the bad stuff.
Brian and I are in the process of replacing the incandescent bulbs in our house with these particular flourescents that he likes that are true to natural light (it will take a while - they are expensive). He's picky because of how our costumes can look different in different rooms with most bulbs, and we do end up working on them all over the place.
I'm looking forward to fresh local produce again and as much of a pain in the butt it is to get groceries at various places, the questionable nature of our meat is making me want to make that effort, again. We have so many good resources around us to take advantage of, and we should. We live 3 doors down from a bakery where we could buy fresh bread (that wasn't made in a massive production line in a factory). We live close to various farms and to Russo's in Watertown (which is a wonderful place, if you don't kill someone with your cart in the crowd during the process of shopping). There's lots we can do in that area that I think won't break the bank.
All of these things I think come down to minor life adjustments, that once we're done and work them into our schedule will actually simplify things. It kind of feels like the whole scaling down effort that we went through, and continue to work on. It was so daunting at first but now I can't believe I lived the way that I used to live - its so freeing to simplify that much. It should be a neat challenge. :)
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2 words on Composting
Date: 2007-04-23 03:59 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-23 04:11 pm (UTC)I've been trying some similar things to switch to more natural products--both for my health and the environment--but it's gradual, and not as total as some green folks. I'm using up products I'm getting rid of first, because there's the conflict of wasting vs. healthful.
no subject
Date: 2007-04-23 04:18 pm (UTC)http://www.couponforum.com/
no subject
Date: 2007-04-23 07:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-23 07:01 pm (UTC)http://makingbysaving.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=415
no subject
Date: 2007-04-23 05:59 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-23 06:17 pm (UTC)I love shopping at A. Russo for my veggies and such - I know they support local farms. If you would like to share any of your greening tips, please let me know! I've been wanting to compost for a while, too, but just never thought I'd be able to use the stuff. DUH. I have two giant pots on my porch. :)
So... first you inspired me to get off my ass and simplify. Now I may ride your coattails to being a better hippie. YAY!
no subject
Date: 2007-04-23 08:06 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-24 01:26 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-23 08:04 pm (UTC)Anyway, yeah. I'm trying to lessen our environmental footprint on this end too, but sometimes I feel like I'm in it alone.