MPmomof3Treehugger on a Budget
March 3rd 2010 21:35
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Save the Planet and Your Budget
Most of us care about the limited resources in our planet. Not all of us, however, can afford to drive hybrid cars, install solar panels in our homes and the like. There are, however, small things that we can all do every day to reduce waste and pollution. Surprisingly enough some things can be beneficial to both the environment and our wallets.
Many of us have heard the slogan "reduce, reuse, recycle."
One simple and economical way to save the environment is to purchase bulk sizes of products when you can. While it is important to make sure you will use the entire product prior to it becoming stale, going bad, etc, bulk sizes use minimal individualized packaging. The amount of packaging required and larger size are what typically make bulk, economy and family size items a plus for both your budget and the ecosystem.
Speaking of packaging, another frugal way to reduce your carbon footprint is to be conscious of the types of packaging used for non-bulk items that you buy. First, pay attention to the nature of the packaging. Is it made from recycled materials? Can it be recycled? Can it be re-used?
One word of caution on re-using items, be extra careful with anything plastic, particularly if it contained dairy products. Make sure that it is washed thoroughly. Do not reuse milk jugs for items that you will drink because they may contain bacteria from old, soured milk that you are not able to reach when you wash the jugs. Other items, however, such as glass spaghetti jars (without the lid) lend themselves more readily to being re-used, provided that they are washed thoroughly. If you are not sure how to re-use an item, try doing a Google search for the item. Here is an example: "how to reuse an empty coffee can."
Old clothing and other unwanted household items can also be repurposed. For example, you can donate old dishes, furniture, mismatched housewares, clothing, toys and more to a local charity such as the Salvation Army or Goodwill. Old books can be donated to your local library. Outdated computers can be donated to local schools.
If an item cannot be reused, check with your local recycling center or metal scrap yard to see if it can be recycled and how to recycle items in your area.
If each of us do a few small things, we can make a big difference in the state of the environment while spending wisely and helping others do the same.
Many of us have heard the slogan "reduce, reuse, recycle."
One simple and economical way to save the environment is to purchase bulk sizes of products when you can. While it is important to make sure you will use the entire product prior to it becoming stale, going bad, etc, bulk sizes use minimal individualized packaging. The amount of packaging required and larger size are what typically make bulk, economy and family size items a plus for both your budget and the ecosystem.
Speaking of packaging, another frugal way to reduce your carbon footprint is to be conscious of the types of packaging used for non-bulk items that you buy. First, pay attention to the nature of the packaging. Is it made from recycled materials? Can it be recycled? Can it be re-used?
One word of caution on re-using items, be extra careful with anything plastic, particularly if it contained dairy products. Make sure that it is washed thoroughly. Do not reuse milk jugs for items that you will drink because they may contain bacteria from old, soured milk that you are not able to reach when you wash the jugs. Other items, however, such as glass spaghetti jars (without the lid) lend themselves more readily to being re-used, provided that they are washed thoroughly. If you are not sure how to re-use an item, try doing a Google search for the item. Here is an example: "how to reuse an empty coffee can."
Old clothing and other unwanted household items can also be repurposed. For example, you can donate old dishes, furniture, mismatched housewares, clothing, toys and more to a local charity such as the Salvation Army or Goodwill. Old books can be donated to your local library. Outdated computers can be donated to local schools.
If an item cannot be reused, check with your local recycling center or metal scrap yard to see if it can be recycled and how to recycle items in your area.
If each of us do a few small things, we can make a big difference in the state of the environment while spending wisely and helping others do the same.
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