Well, today is Earth Day, actually Earth Week on campus. I’ve been trying to be a little more green, a little more natural this year. So I went to a community/campus discussion today that was being held as part of Earth Week. It was very interesting and they gave out free reusable canvas shopping bags. There were of course some of those eco-manics there that look like they haven’t showered in a week but then there were also people in suits just looking for little ways to be more eco-friendy. Not everyone wants to or as far as I’m concerned needs to wear only hemp and shower once a week, but everyone can do one thing a month eco-friendly or more natural. Start Moving, Stay Moving, Green Style

So post one thing that you’re going to try to do each month that’s green or more natural. Like in February I switched to a more natural shampoo/conditioner and in March I switched to organic makeup in cardboard containers. There’s lots of things you can do: plant a garden, use canvas grocery bags, a refillable water bottle, an aluminum or steel water bottle, ride your bike to class or work, make your own bread and more. So share your ideas too.

Happy Earth Day!

I’m from Vermont where we are environmentally conscious.  I use canvas bags for my groceries all the time and refill my water bottles and recycle everything I possibly can.  I also try to be aware of the packaging, for example I only buy cat litter that comes in a bag and don’t buy the stuff that comes in those big plastic buckets.  Lately I have been looking for more eco-friendly cleaners for the house.

Great ideas, Jenni and Eileen.  I’ve been trying to slowly go green as well.  I always keep a collapsable, re-usable bag with me (it’s really neat: it zips up into a little pouch when you’re not using it), carry my own mug with me most of the time, and I’m planning on not using the air conditioner too much this summer.

My downfall is showers: I just love long, hot showers.  Oops!  I guess we all have our areas to work on.

Cheers,
Julie

Reusable garbage bags are the best thing ever.  I used to have a huge Bag Bag on my fridge where we would put all the grocery bags in hopes that we would one day use them (which we never did).  It saves so much room in my small kitchen now those are all gone.  Plus, you can pile way more into reusable bags, which makes it way easier to get all the groceries in that house.

June 5 is World Environment Day...We’re planning a big day at work, with an organic lunch, commuter challenge and a big yard clean up.

Julie - 23 April 2008 09:17 AM

My downfall is showers: I just love long, hot showers.  Oops!  I guess we all have our areas to work on.

If you have the right shower head, you can really save water and have great pressure. Sometimes when the muscles are really worked, there’s nothing like a long hot shower. Or a soak in a hot bathtub. I mentally compromise by taking shorter, more efficient showers at other times. I don’t wash my hair as often either which doubles my shower time sometimes.

I have started using my own re-usable grocery bags.  I spent the summer in Europe 2 years ago in small towns.  It was interesting, they didn’t even have the option.  If you wanted your groceries in a bag, you better bring one!  I’m glad we are catching up a little!

kilroyscarnival - 24 April 2008 01:53 PM

If you have the right shower head, you can really save water and have great pressure.

Good to know.  I find that I do my best thinking in the shower.  If ever I want to brainstorm something or think something through, I step into the shower to do it.  (Obviously not more than once a day!) I’ll look into those showerheads.

Cheers,
Julie

So for April, I tried to use the campus recycling as much as possible. It went very well. Now that its May I am going to conserve some gas and pack my lunch to bring with my on my new internship rather than drive home for lunch and drive back. Plus I’m trying to walk over to Bree’s to work out instead of drive Once I get my bike out this weekend. I’ll have to do some of that too.

May I spent packing my Lunch; I did pretty well.

My june goal is to bring my re-usable water bottle to work instead of buying sodas.