Ask:
A lot of things you do to save money are also great for the environment. Whether you're "green" or not, what do you do to save money that's also environmentally friendly? Here are some that I can think of:
1. Avoid foods with excess packaging. Convenience foods w/tons of plastic wrap, etc. are usually more expensive.
2. Shop secondhand. The less new stuff you buy the less environmental impact your purchase will have.
3. Don't buy more than you really need. Who really needs 20 sweaters or a new DVD every week?
Answer:
Just a few things we try to do in addition to what Kim mentioned to reduce our waste and save money.
1. Use plastic containers rather than baggies/wrap/foil for lunches, leftovers
2. Re-use whatever we possibly can - whether its glass jars for storage or canning or broken crayons turned into crayon muffins
3. Offer usable "trash" on freecycle. For instance, we got rid of a 27 in tv that was broken but someone needed for parts. Saved us from the dumping fee and less went into the landfill as this person supposedly used much of it. Have had several items that we couldn't fix, but others wanted for whatever reason. Also get things from freecycle rather thna buying new.
4. Compost whatever we can, but also buy only what we can use. Especially with fresh items. If I'm not going to freeze it or consume it right away don't buy it, no matter how good a deal. I can't tell you how many bags of lettuce I used to toss because I'd get them "free" and then toss them in the fridge abyss, forgetting them until they were more appropriate as an antibiotic than a veggie
5. Swap babysitting with neighbor. Its a free swap and we don't use extra gas going to pick up a sitter and then take her home after we have already been out.
Answer:
I am hypervigilant about turning off lights and unplugging unused appliances (like cell phone chargers).
I support local farmers.
I recycle, even though it is a pain where we live. I recycle everything I can. One good thing is that my grocery store pays for cans to be recycled.
I use only "green" cleaners. Mostly baking soda and vinegar!
I am sure there are more, but I can't think of them. I would love to hear others ideas.
Answer:
I recycle even though I now have to actually haul them to the recycling center myself. I would never have enough room in my garbage if I did not and would have to pay for extra garbage pick up!
Answer:
I buy as little paper products as possible. Of course I have to buy toilet paper but nobody really needs paper napkins or paper towels. If your just willing to do a little extra laundry.
Answer:
I do not have them put my milk in a bag at he market
If I am buying something from a store and then going to my car- I will tell them not to put it in a bag. All I will do is take it from the bag once I get home.
I do line my bathrooms with the trash bags. THough I do not always throw the bag away I will use it a few times.
Use vinegar a lot for cleaning.
Answer:
Originally Posted by BlueJay
I do not have them put my milk in a bag at he market
If I am buying something from a store and then going to my car- I will tell them not to put it in a bag. All I will do is take it from the bag once I get home.
I do line my bathrooms with the trash bags. THough I do not always throw the bag away I will use it a few times.
Use vinegar a lot for cleaning.
I actually brought bags into walmart with me and the girl tried to throw them away. I told her that I wanted to use them and she looked at me funny and just handed the bags back but sarted to put my stuff into new bags!WTF?
Answer:
In the Denver area they give us 5 cents per bag off your grocery bill. I can't say that I have done it because we use these bags for everything. We use them in the laundry room for dryer lint and we also use them in the bathrooms.
Answer:
I have good sturdy "hemp" bags for my groceries, use the other bags from stores for garbage bags in the bathroom- dh lunch bag (uses the same one everyday until it gets holey).
I have been shutting off all lights, unplugging not in use appliances, going to be switching to different light bulbs soon.
I also try to use up all of our food- instead of throwing it out.
Answer:
I love all these ideas! I too am in the habit of either using my own bags at the store or not using them at all. I have had a few funny looks walking out of the store with my milk, bread..etc in my hands! ! I always keep my reciept in my hand as well in case I get questioned.
Alana