When I think April, I immediately think Earth Day. I'm proud to say I was bringing my own bags to the grocery long before it became trendy. And I'm even prouder that environmentalism has finally caught on in the mainstream. However, some resistance remains when it comes to actually changing one's established lifestyle. That's understandable. Here are few simple choices you can make that will put you on your way to an earth-friendly life—without putting a damper on your style.
1. Reusable totes. Nowadays they are ubiquitous, sold at every market and even given away in some cases. But a true environmentalist keeps the amount of "stuff" they accumulate to a minimum. It takes resources to manufacture a bag, so you don't want to be buying new ones every time you forget to bring yours.
Reusablebags.com is the best source I've found for all types of bags that are so stylish and practical, you'll have them with you at all times.
Two foldable nylon bags like this one:
and one collapsible shopping tote like this:
serve me well for most of my grocery and mall trips (which are usually small). If you make bigger trips, you'll probably need more or larger ones—although these hold a surprising amount. The nylon ones are wide enough for a pizza box yet fold up as small as a cell phone.
2. Lighting. Yes, fluorescent bulbs are more efficient than incandescents, but only if they are left on for extended periods, so there's no need to replace bulbs that you turn on and off only briefly. Focus on those that stay on for more than an hour at a time, such as your outdoor floodlights. Even replacing one bulb can make an impact. Also, keep in mind that fluorescents take a few minutes to reach full brightness, so give them a chance to shine before you veto them. Dimmers (recommended for aesthetic reasons by most, if not all, the designers we know) can reduce the amount of electricity you use as well. I also have a motion-sensor on the bulb in my laundry room, so I never leave it on all night by accident.
3. Composting. I was intimidated by it at first: calculating the ratio of brown to green components, buying a proper container, controlling the smell. But it felt wasteful to throw food scraps in the trash when they could be fertilizing my garden. I finally decided to just experiment. I started by putting my plant-based discards in a large, covered plastic trash can outside. I covered them with some dry leaves to contain any unpleasant odors and stirred it all around about once a month. That's all. To my surprise, in a few months, it had actually turned into compost. Very low maintenance (I've since learned that my method is actually called "passive" composting). I used a simple airtight plastic tub to store my scraps in the kitchen until I got a chance to dump them outside, but there are some more attractive options out there if you want to spend some money. Check out this
copper one, and this
retro metal one (below). For tips on composting, including what NOT to add to the pile, visit Earth911.com or the EPA.
4. Paper. Reduce the amount of junk mail you receive by visiting the
Privacy Rights Clearinghouse and following their instructions for opting out. If you receive more catalogs than you need,
Catalog Choice is the place to go. Be careful, though—you might discover a new catalog to replace the one you cancelled.
Think before you print or write something in a notebook. Can you read or write it on-screen just as easily? If you need to print,
print two-sided and
print only the pages you need. I have also started using
The Journal software for my random musings. Though I love the idea of buying a pretty journal, the electronic version is quicker than hand-writing and takes up no room in my house. (And it's password-protected, so no worries about it being read by anyone but me!)
5. Travel mugs. Once you get used to it, carrying your own mug becomes a habit and saves countless disposable cups. I have an insulated mug that can be used for hot or cold drinks. If you can, get one that's dishwasher-safe.
I like
this one because it's made from recycled content and is dishwasher-safe (the white label comes off):
And
this one for its "tip and cool" feature that lets you cool one sip at a time to the perfect temperature. It comes in 12 colors.
6. Recycling. In this case, once you start, it's difficult to stop. I can't with a clear conscience just throw a recyclable in with the regular trash. I don't have neighborhood pickup, so I store my plastic, aluminum, and paper in a large Umbra Crunch Can until it's full enough to make a trip to the recycling center. It has a vinyl lining that can be wiped clean and collapses for storage. Mine is natural-colored, but I love this pink-and-brown design.
Making a few small changes such as these can significantly reduce the impact you make on the environment as an individual. You don't have to feel deprived or sacrifice your style. Be creative and come up with your own ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle!
