Two In One Week…Slow Down!

Two eco-green-super fresh shopping entries in one week, stop it. It’s your lucky week. Well not really. I didn’t think it would be responsible of me to promote more consumption, so instead I will put together some tips on how to be more environmentally conscious when you do shop. Even better. :)

According to Earth 911,

A family of four [I wonder if this is a family of four people or two people and two cats or one person and three dogs…] can save $2,000 a year in the supermarket by choosing large sizes instead of individual serving sizes. Small sizes use more packaging for each ounce of product than larger sizes. So, if you buy large sizes, you save money, reduce waste, and help the environment.

Here’s some Earth 911 tips:

• Buy cereal in a large box instead of in individual serving sizes.
• Buy large packages of sugar and flour.

I think the best thing would be to buy local products, like at your Farmer’s Market. That way you may avoid any packaging and you’ll be supporting your local region and a small business. That’s a lot of good.

Another thing you can do to help out is make sure whatever it is you are buying, that the packaging is recyclable through your local recycling program. If you go to this link on Earth 911 you can find that information.

Do not buy disposable products. We do not live in a world that can survive all this junk filling landfills and polluting the earth. In fact take all the disposable products you have and invent something new. There’s a cool project. Then if you want you can sell it on Etsy, make tons of money, quit your job and work for yourself, protect the world, and enjoy your life…easy.

Here are some ways to do your part,

• Use rechargeable batteries in everything that needs batteries [May I suggest purchasing solar powered products, or water powered or kinetic instead…]
• Do not use disposable cameras [Unless you are at someone’s wedding and they give you one. I mean at that point it’s too late.].
• Use cloth napkins, sponges, and cloth towels or wipes to clean up. [I’m working on that one right now.]
• Use washable plates, cups, and silverware for parties and picnics instead of disposable products [Come on really who is still buying paper or plastic plates???].
• Use an electric razor or hand razor with replaceable blades instead of disposable razors. [Whoops.]
• Use a washable commuter mug for your morning coffee and eliminate a Styrofoam or plastic cup every day [Funny, I was walking around just the other day with my Starbucks’ disposable coffee cup in my hand, thinking just that. I’m embarrassed….tell no one.].

I hope you have enjoyed this Friday’s shopping tips.

Enjoy your weekend.

-Cara

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Reason 77 from, 101 Reasons Why I Am Vegetarian:
The population explosion should not be thought of exclusively in terms of people–not when one considers the ecological footprint represented by the world’s 3.2 billion cattle, sheep, goats, and domesticated bison across the globe. About 20 percent of the world’s pastures and rangelands, with 73 percent of rangelands in dry areas, have been degraded to some extent, mostly through overgrazing, compaction, and erosion caused by livestock.

Recycling Dead Re-chargeable Batteries

I had a lot to do today, then later tonight I re-connected with an old friend I had lost contact with awhile ago, so I was super late starting my blog entry. I began panicking because I only had 15 minutes till midnight, which meant a new day with no entry. I thought to myself, great, already on my forth day I can’t even keep up. I hurried and tried to save a draft at 11:59pm, so in my mind, I made the cut…I hit save and lost not only my internet connection, but also the four words I had written so far. A few minutes later I came to the decision that the day does not end until I fall asleep, and begins when I step out of my bed. Sweet, I made it!!! Yeah. :)

Ok, enough about me, I stumbled upon today’s entry via a tv commercial that caught my attention. It was for this web site call2recycle.org. Tim the Tool Man’s assistant/host of The Family Feud, Richard Karn, was the spokesperson. He was talking about people needing to recycle re-chargeable batteries, how it is important to the world and FREE to do. I thought sweet deal, free is good.I will summarize the site and what it is about for those who do not desire to click on links too often.

Summary Begins Here:  Rechargeable batteries are commonly found in cordless power tools, cellular and cordless phones, laptop computers, camcorders, digital cameras, and remote control toys. RBRC recycles the following battery chemistries: Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd), Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH), Lithium Ion (Li-ion) and Small Sealed Lead* (Pb). RBRC is dedicated to keeping rechargeable batteries and cell phones out of our nation’s solid waste stream and preserving natural resources.

Here is a link that will show you the drop-off joints near you.

“The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) is a non-profit public service organization dedicated to recycling used rechargeable batteries and old cell phones. RBRC collects the Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd), Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH), Lithium Ion (Li-ion), and Small Sealed Lead *(Pb) rechargeable batteries that power a variety of portable electronic products such as cellular and cordless phones, power tools, laptop computers, camcorders, two-way radios, and digital cameras.

Through our national program, Call2Recycle™, and with the help of our retail and community partners, consumers can now recycle these items through a convenient and environmental-friendly way.Since 1994, RBRC has recycled more than 22 million pounds of rechargeable batteries. RBRC has also earned numerous awards and recognition, including the Keep America Beautiful First Place National Award in the “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” category, Leadership Award by the North American Hazardous Materials Management Association, Recycling Council of Ontario Minimization Award, Recycle at Work by US Conference of Mayors, inclusion in Environment Canada EcoAction Network and was named ” Environmental Partner of the Year” by The Home Depot in 2002.

More than 300 manufacturers support the rechargeable battery recycling program by placing RBRC’s Battery Recycling Seals on rechargeable batteries and portable electronic products. This seal lets consumers and businesses know that the battery can be recycled.

RBRC offers recycling plans for retailers, communities, public agencies, and businesses. RBRC provides collection materials and pays recycling costs. Some states have disposal bans of Ni-Cd and Pb batteries that prohibit users from throwing used batteries into the trash. State law requires these batteries to be recycled or properly disposed of through manufacturer/distributor or other collection programs.

Consumers can recycle their used rechargeable batteries and old cell phones by visiting one of the 30,000+ retail stores and community solid waste centers participating in RBRC’s recycling program, Call2Recycle. To find the collection site nearest you, use our online locator or call our toll free helpline 1-800-8-BATTERY or 1-877-2-RECYCLE.”

* weighing less than 2 lbs. / 1 kg.

Last but not least, the EPA’s Battery Alert.

This is something again I needed to know, but had been too lazy to find out how and what I needed to do. Look at that…surprise it is easy. :)

Peace.

Cara