Well, I had a rather busy week. I took a suggestion from a comment on last weeks blog and bought some cloth grocery bags. I bought them at Kohl's, half price. So each bag only cost me $0.99. Thought that was great, and I started using them. I think you can fit at least 4 plastic sacks worth of groceries in one of the cloth bags I bought, plus when you pack the bags yourself you conserve room efficiently. I got $60.00 worth of groceries in 2 bags.
This is what my new shopping bags look like. You can buy them lots of places, but these were big and sturdy. ( I am pretty sure I gave my son-in-law the bags I had.......or they are still packed somewhere)
I also went to find the recycling center (I have to deliver my own). It is only 15 minutes away and just past where we deposit our tree trimmings, etc. and also on the way to my shopping area. No problem to stop by on my way to places. If you are lucky enough to have curbside pick up, be grateful and remember to take the plastic tops off and rinse everything. Only takes a minute. Remember, you can recycle cardboard and paper also. Check you local recycling information. Every little effort makes a difference.
I was honored and challenged by a mention in the Oregon State blog I noted last week (http://geo300summer2011.wordpress.com/------"
YEY FOR MOMS" blog)
Julie, the class instructor, is my daughter. After reading my blog she challenged me, as she did her students to record how the changes we are making are helping the environment and our own lives. What are the advantages ??
The first advantage I noticed was the decrease in the actual trash that had to be picked up to go to the landfill. Also when I used the cloth shopping bags, I left at least 8 plastic bags behind. That makes less plastic for the landfill.
The reusable water bottles are not only nicer to use, but using them seriously decreases the amount of plastic consumption plus it definitely saves $. The drink is colder too!! TRY IT! I guess you sacrifice convenience on this one, but it you can remember to immediately wash the drink bottle when you come home and put water in it , put it in the fridge, your ready to go!! You can put any liquid in it you want, add ice before you leave and it stays cold a long time. Another big advantage is, you do not have to struggle to get the lids off the new water bottles (ha ha ha) and get a mini bath in the process.
Let me know any ideas you all have. We can work together one small change at a time!
Lynne
I never thought I would blog. Who would care what I had to say, who would read it, there wouldn't be an audience.
Today I changed my mind. I have been reading a sampling of blog posts from a cross section of the blogging world. My new thoughts: it isn't about the size of the audience, but it is about the quality and information in the posts and the hope that even one person "gets it".
So here goes, my first blog.
I have been inspired to effect change in my own small corner of our world. The inspiration comes from my daughter, Julie Elkins Watson and the class she is teaching at Oregon State this summer: Geology 300 (Sustainability for the Common Good) http://ecolutionist.com/2011/07/11/sustainability-for-undergrads-what-one-oregon-state-teacher-is-doing-to-inspire-action/. I was fortunate to be in Oregon visiting when the class began, so I was there for some of the planning and initial classes. It was a great experience for me to witness, and also to see how her students (some who had never blogged) had to learn and begin their own blogs about their small changes by day 4 of class.(http://geo300summer2011.wordpress.com/)
If they could do it, both change and blog, well then why couldn't I; but I must admit, they had her help and needed a good grade!! (Julie, you can "grade" me)
So here goes, the message of this post:
We can make a difference in our world (and support "Sustainability for the Common Good)! HOW??
Here are some of the changes I made in the past couple weeks:
1.Using a refillable water bottle instead of buying cases of water in plastic bottles. Same for Daisy's (the dog) water.
2. Washing our clothes in cold water with cold water detergent.
3. Reused the packing paper and boxes from our recent move (actually recycled most of them to other families who needed them)
4. Began recycling again - not required where we live and not all trash collectors collect recycling products at the curb----so we have to transport the recycled items to a facility(check your local municipality)
5. Taking all shrubs, grass, weeds, and trees we trim to the "Bog"....a local composting drop off center
6. Buying local at the "Farmer's Markets"
Hopefully I can add to this list soon (I will let you know), and also you can all make one small change for the common good.
Lynne
