A Year of Meaningful Resolutions

By Erica Ater

1) Close the recycling loop!

Americans love to consume and we consume a lot! Acquiring and consuming goods and services plays an important role in our lives. Our perceptions of success and happiness are influenced by it and it makes us feel good, right? Hyperconsumption is a leading cause of many environmental problems. However, recent changes to our economic environment have led us to think longer and harder before we purchase. Now is the time to make your purchases really count by purchasing products made of recycled materials. Let’s close the recycling loop! The recycling loop is complete only when materials that you have separated for recycling are processed and remanufactured into new products, which are then sold. So, whether you are buying based on need or want, be more conscious of what you are purchasing. With just a little extra time and effort you could be making a more environmentally friendly choice. From your socks and shoes to your toothbrush, mixing bowls, trash bags, and even toys, there are increasing options available.

2) Be a conscious shopper

Put your purchasing power to work! Visit ClimateCounts.org to see where your favorite brands and companies rank in their efforts to address climate change. You can use the Climate Counts Company Scorecard to see how serious companies are about stopping climate change - and how they compare to their sector competitors. You can even write to your favorite companies to let them know how you feel about their efforts (or lack there of!)

3) Stop using Styrofoam!

Styrofoam (or Polystyrene) is a petroleum-based plastic and is a material that never biodegrades. Once it is made, it is here forever. According to the EPA, the 25 billion foam coffee cups Americans toss on a yearly basis will still be sitting in a landfill five hundred years from now. Take a ceramic coffee mug to work and keep it there. Imagine the number of Styrofoam cups you are keeping out of the landfill. Better yet, talk to your purchasing department and see of you can start ordering a more environmentally-friendly type of cup for the office.

4) Stop using paper towels!

Make the switch to cloth napkins for meal time and try this reusable cleaning cloth set for any other messes. It may seem like a difficult change. How could I possibly go without paper towels? Honestly, it is quite simple and it makes a huge impact. “Remember... These come from trees!”

5) Think about your water consumption and ways to reduce it.

Sign-up and receive The Green Living Guide to Home Water Conservation e-book for free. After a few easy steps, it will arrive in your inbox ready to print.

6) Know your stuff.

Save water by knowing where your master water shut-off valve is located. In the case of a leak or broken pipe, the sooner you shut off the water, the better.

7) Be a more environmentally informed citizen.

Here are some of my favorite green websites and blogs. Surf the net and bookmark your favorites!

http://greenupgrader.com/

http://www.greenlivingtips.com/

http://www.treehugger.com/

http://worldchanging.com/

8) Recycle! Recycle! Recycle!

Mark this website in your favorites and you will never be tempted to throw away a recyclable just because you aren’t sure how or where to recycle it.

http://earth911.com/

9) Save trees by signing up for a book rental program.

About 20 million trees are cut down annually for virgin paper used in the production of books sold in the US. If you are one of the 36 million Americans who make reading part of their daily lives, look into the new eco-friendly options. In addition to swapping books with friends and visiting your local library, try one of the book rental programs new to the scene.

As the first of its kind, BooksFree has been in operation since 2000. They boast more than 228,000 titles including paperback, children’s books, and audiobooks. They offer free shipping, the option to keep a book at a discounted price, the ability to cancel anytime, and donate books for credit. Plans range from $10.99 to $74.49 a month.

New to the market in 2007 is BookSwim. With over 150,000 titles in both hardback and paperback, this company even offers college textbooks. BookSwim offers many of the same features as its competitor, including free shipping. There are five plan options to choose from ranging in prices between $13.98 and $59.99 a month. BookSwim gets a bonus point for committing to plant a tree (through its partnership with EcoLibris.net) for each gift card it sells.

You’ll want to check them out yourself and pick the one that works the best for you.

10) Shop at your local farmer’s market.

Not only is it beneficial to your community, but there are studies that suggest it is beneficial to your health as well. Eating seasonal foods can help you live in harmony with your natural environment and possibly improve your overall well-being. Visit Local Harvest to find local food options in your neighborhood.

11) Keep your clothes out of the landfill.

The EPA estimates that we throw away 68 pounds of clothing and textiles per person every year. Try some one of these many alternatives to throwing away unwanted clothes.

♣Donate unwanted clothing to charitable organizations

♣Use worn out clothing as dust rags

♣Get crafty and make something with the fabric

♣Host a clothing exchange party for you and your friends

12) Reduce you oil usage

After 462,000 gallons of oil recently spilled at a major Texas port I began thinking about ways to reduce my oil usage. I realize that the “park your car” approach can be an unrealistic one for many of us. The petrochemical industry goes far beyond the fuel you put into your car. You may be surprised how many products are petroleum-based. These steps may seem insignificant but they do add up, especially when compounded over your lifetime. Pass it on!

♣Avoid buying plastic goods when an alternative exists

♣Pay attention to the amount of packaging a product has

♣Use your canvas bags

♣Look for clothing made from natural fibers instead of nylon and polyester

♣Check your perfumes and look for natural alternatives

♣Take advantage of the natural cleaners new to the market and consider making your own cleaning solutions

Resources and Additional Readings

http://www.greenlivingtips.com/articles/218/1/Recycling-styrofoam.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polystyrene#Disposal_and_environmental_issues

http://bluelivingideas.com/subscribe/register-green-living-guide-home-water-conservation/

http://feelgoodstyle.com/2008/07/17/ayurveda-ancient-wisdom-for-modern-living/

http://www.epa.gov/osw/index.htm