The catastrophic earthquake in Haiti has had me pondering how I can help the two million plus people in crisis. I just heard about a simple way to help.
Sending your gently used shoes to Haiti through an organization called Soles for Souls. This organization sends new or used shoes to people in need. You can drop off your shoes at a variety of locations by entering your zip code.
Check out their website to learn more: www.soles4souls.org.
What a simple way to help, reduce the clutter in your closet, and reuse items that may otherwise end up in a landfill.
Other ideas to help Haiti and our environment? Please comment!
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Thursday, January 14, 2010
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Are you a “good” consumer?
This short video is a thought-provoking look at consumerism. When do you say ‘enough’?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_ut93YYZu8
Test your consumerism:
1. Go one week without buying ANYTHING. Please remember to stock up on milk and toilet paper before you do this. Did not shopping free up time and energy?
2. Want vs. Need. Now go one month without buying anything you do not need. Before you buy, ask if it is a want or a need. At the end of the month, did you really miss what you did not buy?
3. Ongoing it is a good question to ask yourself every time you shop: Do I need or just want this? I think it is OK to buy some things you want but do not need, however honestly answering the need vs. want question can help you keep in check how much you are buying and eventually throwing into our waste stream.
I have found it to be very freeing when I go shopping to buy only the items I really, really want, and forgo all of those nice-to-haves, but will soon forget about items. My closets are less cluttered, I use less packaging, and I simply enjoy the experience of shopping more.
Thoughts on consuming less? Please comment!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_ut93YYZu8
Test your consumerism:
1. Go one week without buying ANYTHING. Please remember to stock up on milk and toilet paper before you do this. Did not shopping free up time and energy?
2. Want vs. Need. Now go one month without buying anything you do not need. Before you buy, ask if it is a want or a need. At the end of the month, did you really miss what you did not buy?
3. Ongoing it is a good question to ask yourself every time you shop: Do I need or just want this? I think it is OK to buy some things you want but do not need, however honestly answering the need vs. want question can help you keep in check how much you are buying and eventually throwing into our waste stream.
I have found it to be very freeing when I go shopping to buy only the items I really, really want, and forgo all of those nice-to-haves, but will soon forget about items. My closets are less cluttered, I use less packaging, and I simply enjoy the experience of shopping more.
Thoughts on consuming less? Please comment!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Resolution #1: Less Paper Towels
I have a few environmental resolutions for 2010, and my plan is to gradually make changes in my daily life to help achieve the goals of reducing my dependency on plastic, limiting landfill waste, buying locally and watching what kind of artificial ingredients I put into my body.
OK, I admit it. I use way too many paper towels – and I use those nice, soft white ones that destroy virgin forests. I have tried the recycled versions and frankly do not like them at all (that goes for toilet paper too)! So I need to look for ways to use less paper towels this year. Here are the ideas I have come up with so far that may help you reduce your paper towel usage too:
1. Use the kind of paper towels that let you choose the size of the sheet e.g., Viva has these.
2. Use old tea towels instead of paper towels to clean mirrors and glass. Note: I have tried using old newspapers, but do not think this method works as well.
3. Only use paper towels to clean up spills that may have bacteria in it e.g. raw meat. Use a dishcloth for everything else, and just wash often.
4. Buy a microwave cover for heating up food, instead of throwing a paper towel over the dish. They are a couple of bucks at Target and they are dishwasher safe.
It is a step in the right direction!
Have more ideas on how to reduce paper towel usage? Please comment!
OK, I admit it. I use way too many paper towels – and I use those nice, soft white ones that destroy virgin forests. I have tried the recycled versions and frankly do not like them at all (that goes for toilet paper too)! So I need to look for ways to use less paper towels this year. Here are the ideas I have come up with so far that may help you reduce your paper towel usage too:
1. Use the kind of paper towels that let you choose the size of the sheet e.g., Viva has these.
2. Use old tea towels instead of paper towels to clean mirrors and glass. Note: I have tried using old newspapers, but do not think this method works as well.
3. Only use paper towels to clean up spills that may have bacteria in it e.g. raw meat. Use a dishcloth for everything else, and just wash often.
4. Buy a microwave cover for heating up food, instead of throwing a paper towel over the dish. They are a couple of bucks at Target and they are dishwasher safe.
It is a step in the right direction!
Have more ideas on how to reduce paper towel usage? Please comment!
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