{Editor’s Note: this is Day 2 of the EcoChallenge through the Northwest Earth Institute. You can read about the kickoff here or register here.}
So the EcoChallenge begins, and I am filled with motivation. I’ve shepherded my family into this (some less willingly than others) as we follow the green-brick road to sustainable living.
We generally do a good job of keeping our footprint small, but I have this vision of ultimate greenness. My vision isn’t completely formed yet (I do know it does not involve living in a tent in the woods while foraging for dinner), but I am determined to march forward until we achieve it.
I’ve decided to do one green thing each day during this two-week challenge. How hard can that be? Toronto columnist Vanessa Farquharson did it for 365 days and wrote about it in her book “Sleeping Naked is Green.” Now that’s impressive. Of course some of those actions included unplugging the refrigerator and giving up toilet paper. I’m hardly going to be that extreme. I’ll be happy if I can get my husband to turn off his computer at night.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
My first order of business was to support clean energy utilities by renewing our family membership with People’s Power and Light. PPL is Rhode Island’s nonprofit, alternative energy company, and a few years ago we began contracting with them to get our heating oil. They advocate on behalf of consumers, provide support for low-income families and offer discount oil prices with reliable, local oil companies.
Even though money is tight for us this year, I wanted to maintain our support (and I happily discovered that PPL offers fixed-income membership fees for unemployed or retired people). Encouraging renewable energy companies is a green brick on the road. In my ultimate green vision, our house would operate completely on wind and solar power, which would be cheaper, cleaner and would occupy the kids with games of ring around the wind turbine…
I’ve gently steered my husband toward some energy-saving actions such as turning off lights (he’s a bit absent-minded) and turning off his laptop instead of keeping it in sleep mode. U.S. Department of Energy guidelines suggest powering down if you’re away for at least two hours. This technical blog figures that you can save close to $100 annually per computer just by turning it off overnight. I will have to see if these facts motivate my husband, as I know my nagging won’t do it.
ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION
However, my husband is way ahead of me (or anyone else I know) in the alternative transportation category. He bikes regularly to work – about 35 miles a week – and has done this for the nine years we’ve lived in Rhode Island plus many years before that.
I used to bike to work. Working from home has made me lazy. For this EcoChallenge, I’m committing to walk or bike to places within two miles of my house (except the grocery store). This means biking to my three-times-per-week zumba class. I managed to fulfill my commitment last night (yay!), but with today’s achy body and the prospect of rain tomorrow, I can already hear my inner excuses lining up: “It’s cold outside.” “It’s getting dark earlier.” “I’m too tired for extra exercise.” “This sucks.”
I’ll keep you posted on that battle.
TRASH REDUCTION
Sofie’s focus appears to be recycling. She’s been monitoring our bathroom use, darting in to claim toilet paper rolls for her kindergarten class. She says they are for building castles. (I found a French artist who builds amazing scenes inside the tubes. Check it out!)
While our family recycles quite a bit, I’ve not been industrious about toilet paper tubes, mostly because my habit is to toss it right into the bathroom trashcan instead of saving it for the kitchen recycle bin. So, kudos to my daughter for picking up the slack there.
On this issue, I went to recycle the plastic container of deli ham I had bought and realized it was a #7. The #7 plastic is typically not recyclable (although Rhode Island now takes them), and it can contain BPA, which studies have shown leaches potential hormone disruptors. I got pissed at the company – why did they have to use a #7 when there are tons of safer #1, 2 and 5 plastics that can be recycled easier? Surely it’s a purely financial choice. I was about to climb on the eco soapbox, and then…
I admitted that it wasn’t any different from my choice to select the ham purely for being on sale rather than choosing deli meats for their environmentally friendly packaging. Perhaps next time I could wait in line at the deli and bring my own containers? Or forgo the ham altogether and go meatless more often. That’s in my plan for next week. Stay tuned.
Are you going green with your family? What’s your biggest eco challenge?
Shoot me an email and I’ll feature you in my posts.
PAID ENDORSEMENT DISCLOSURE: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog.
If you want to recycle in the bathroom, please check out a new product we have developed called the Solecan. If you or your readers want to see it in stores, please let retailers know by liking us on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/theSolecan
well the review was quite thought provoking. i think we have already past the time to think but now we need to take immediate actions to conserve nature.
Recycling Plastic Containers
I think it is great that you make a conscious effort to recycle and live sustainably. One way of bringing sustainability to your bathroom is by investing in wholesale toilet paper. The brand I purchase is green-certified and it eliminates the large mound of toilet paper rolls in your bathroom. It might seem simple, but it is a great way to sustainably use toilet paper! Thanks for sharing with us!