Going Green: 2011 Reflections

How well did I do in my quest to go green last year?

I've added tactics I used last year, and plans for this year below.

GREEN	2011	2012
Household Items:	Replaced some  insect repellants with safer essential oil mixes Began purchasing natural household brands:  Method natural air fresheners  Vinegar for mold removal Collected digital and old subscriptions to gardening, natural home health, and organic magazines	Purchase more natural , cleansing and household brands: 7th Generation and Method Detergents Use vinegar, lemon juice, salt and baking soda for household mixes  Look for natural products coupon and savings online or through natural magazines
Green Jobs or Workforce:	Green Office: Oxygen-giving plants Mugs over styrofoam cups Encouraged steel canisters Used  fair trade coffee  Moved towards paperless office Recycled paper, plastic, ink and occasional  tissue,	Consider getting certifications in green building or landscape design (LEED, Permaculture PDC) Add green marketing to my skills and possibly seek out work or add tactics to my projects Possibly volunteer for a green building project (Habitat For Humanity) or an organic food co-op, CSA, non-profit or urban farm.
Energy-efficient products:	Subscribed to Renewable Energy Electricity Plan Added CFL bulbs Rarely used dishwasher use Connected printer, tv, and other heavy burning electrical items to power pack to turn off	Transition from CFL bulbs to natural lighting or LED lights Use less microwave, and cook on stove Caulk everything!
Food:	Monitor pesticide-heavy vegetables and fruits; chose organic fruits/veggies when possible Learned about freezer cooking	Start vegetable and herb garden. Just garden everywhere! Prepare to go Vegan, Vegetarian or Flexitarian Join a local CSA, Co-op or non-profit to supplement organic vegetables Join Seedsavers or become a part of seed library Learn to cook well Learn and start freezer cooking, preserving, and fermenting with food.
Cosmetics:	Removed all cosmetics; changed hair products to natural products  Made my own skin and hair products to monitor ingredient allergies	Slowly incorporate "natural cosmetics" into my regimen; monitor reactions to various products Create my own lotions, deodorant, and cosmetics Stay away from Triclosan, Phthalates, Parabens, Petroleum By-products, harsh Fragrances, dyes in cosmetics (FD & C) with coal tar, hydroquinone, mercury, lead, 1,4 dioxane (peg, polyethylene, polyethylene glycol)
Water:	Added aerators to sink and shower Purchased spring and distilled waters	Consider filters to tap water and shower  Look into water harvesting
Recycle:	Recycle Printer Ink	Look for ways to reuse paper Use cardboard for gardening layers Consider if it makes sense to separate plastics, paper, and recycle at a distant center Compost
Indoor Air Quality:	Opened windows	Use air-cleaning and oxygen-giving plants for home
Transportation (fuel efficiency)		Work from home or close to home If public transportation is feasible, do it.
Fair Trade:		Consider fair trade coffee for home/guests.
Studies:	Urban Farming General Sustainability Gardening	Consider taking a permaculture course or preparing to get LEED accredited Read 48 books on gardening, permaculture, renewable energy, self-sufficiency  Start first garden  Watch 20 environmental documentaries (e.g. Gasland, Geoff Lawton Soils, Dirt,

Consumerism & Enviroment Review: The Story Of Stuff (UPDATE)

THE STORY OF BROKE




THE STORY OF STUFF

I became familiar with The Story Of Stuff movies through my quest to find a solution to my cosmetic and beauty product woes.  I've added the new movie The Story of Broke with a quick overview from 2007 of consumption patterns and systems that affects our lifestyle, economics, and environment.  

Recycle & Reuse: The Jelly Jar's Versatility

Glass Jars: Eco-Friendly & Reusable

The jelly jar has been a sustainable, reliable, keepsake in my life.  I still have childhood memories of nearly frost-bitten fingers from ice cold beverages served in reused jelly or preserve jars. Sadly, plastic became the be-all-store-all utility replacement for it.

Recently, the tides have changed.  The jelly jar has risen again for reusable items after studies linked BPA (bisphenol-A) to health threats in infants, children, and pregnant women.


I listed various ways to use your old jelly jars below!

1. Jelly...of course! Don't forget jams, preserves, marmalade, and peanut butter and other nut butters.
2. Bug & Slug catcher:  While gardening,  add a little beer in jar; dig a hole; and catch all of your plant-eating slugs. 
3. Beverages: Lemonade and kool-aid with fruit slices are popular summer drinks for children.
4. Candles
5. Candy: Gum balls, gummy bears and jelly beans were the best!
6. Insect catcher: Do you remember poking ventilation holes on the top of your jar when you caught a lizard, grasshopper, or firefly?
7. Beauty storage: Glass jars are great for  body scrubs or bath salts.
8. Penny Jar or change jar:   Who needs a piggy bank when you can see your coins!
9. Arts and crafts: Do you remember adding glitter or paint to one of your jars?
10. Honey:  I'll never forget watching the image of Pooh Bear on TV as a child with a jar of fresh honey.
11. Container gardening and growing seedlings. 
12. Terrarium, a mini indoor garden.
13. Vase or flower holder
14. Oils, ointments, or recycled oil storage:  Do you remember old bacon grease being stored in jelly jars?
15. Tip soliciting jar
16. Raffle jar
17. Time capsule container