Over the last few years I realized that the way I lived was not very earth friendly. So I have gradually made some changes.
Do you have any suggestions? What do you do?
I compost, I have a worm box in my pantry. I use less plastic, haven't been able to get rid of it all yet. I reduce, reuse, and recycle. I garden and grow some of my own food. I try to drive less. I use personal wipes instead of toilet paper. I make my own cleaners. I cook from scratch, never buy processed and fake food. I made my own grocery bags about 10 years ago, still using them. I make my own soap and shampoo.
Good job!
I live as far removed from the money system as I reasonably can. I grow more of my own vegetables each year. I keep chickens. My house remains furnished and decorated with hand-me-downs and cast-offs. I take responsibility for the things I purchase so that I generate a minimum landfill input. I manage a ten-acre woodlot. I obsessively study human nature.
I don’t do 4 or 5. But I use biodegradable and environment friendly products.
I don’t buy anything new made in China or India.
I compost. Make most things from scrap. Grow and raise most of my own food.
I recycle.
I use canvas bags for everything. I never get plastic bags. Actually in Eugene, you have to pay for plastic shopping bags.
I try to purchase things without excessive packaging.
I buy used a lot—all my books, most of my crafting and sewing stuff (I cut up used clothes for material often).
And many other things.
I want to compost, but we've had such problems with rodents (rats were the worse, and so hard to get rid of, but also mice and shrews continue to be a never-ending problem), and food composting tends to attract rodents. If I could set up the compost far enough away from the house, it might help, but I'm unsure even that would be enough.
Chickens help with that. Well, cocks, not hens.
Great!
I didn't have my own children
LOL, so that helps by... what?
the life on this planet is about to self-destruct because of the mass of greedy humanity raping the earth. my children will never be part of that or generations after them and they will not suffer ever like many will do.
Here's Doug Stanhope's rather succinct, albeit harsh take on the problem:
I didn't either!! I saved 15 years worth of consumption.
so I'm doing quite a lot really.
I have a rule in my house never put food in the garbage .If my daughter refuses to eat something because of those expired dates that cause more waste in this country than some countries actually, consume I will eat it . Any thing else we will feed to the seagulls or wild animals .And the last case scenario is it is used in the garden for fertilizer.Also I never throw clothing out . Anything made of cotton is perfect for rags in my garage . Any thing else is donated to the good will society .Also I buy biodegradable cleaning products if applicable.
I use drip irrigation on timers in my garden. And I make my own 'ollas' which are clay pots buried in the ground next to my plants. I'm a potter so I make my own. Re-purpose a lot of junk from the trash such as lumber and sheet metal roofing from construction jobs. I have no idea if this stuff helps???
Sure it does, or at the very least it reduces the harm being done. Good for you.
I also stopped buying books. I now use my library extensively. I also shop estate sales and repurpose things. I make lotions, potions, and lip balms, all organic.
I make lotions with a variety of oils, and many of them are infused with herbs. Depending on how thick I want the lotion they may have beeswax in them. I've made beard balms for my sons in law who are all bearded. DIY Natural is the website that got me started making my own stuff and going more natural. I just ignore the religious thrust of the site.
i love my local library!
We do everything you do and a few more:
I don't eat meat or dairy. I use re-usable bags. I don't shop "fast fashion." I don't eat fast food. I hand wash my car using less than two buckets of water. I try to only shop from the produce section of the market or the farmer's market. I try to walk (in LA) as much as I can.
yes, i forgot that: washing my car with actually just half a bucket of water - it's a small car - & once the year only.
I'm vegan and I recycle. By being vegan I reduce the methane and carbon in the atmosphere because I don't eat anything that is produced by animal agriculture, because animal agriculture is the largest producer of methane world wide as well as a giant producer of carbon. By not participating in animal agriculture and not buying any animal products, there will be slightly less demand and thus slightly less supply needed-- thus the methane and carbon is reduced. Being vegan also reduces the amount of water needed to produce a lot of vegan crops. Just got to know what produce to buy and what produce to stay away from in order to conserve water. For example, Almonds need a lot of water to grow, where as soy doesn't. So I try to buy soy products instead of almond products. If you want to know more about how animal agriculture harms the environment, I suggest watching a documentary on Netlfix called "Cow-spiracy."
Good info! Thanks
Recycle
Energy saving appliances
Compost
Carpool
Great!
I do most of these things too. As a teacher I tried to get paper recycling going(a mountain of paper thrown out constantly and it breaks my heart). No one cares. I take home my own paper that is generated by admin, students or me to recycle. I am trying not to buy new clothes-a few items a year because rotting material causes co2 buildup and no fleece since it works its way into the oceans and waterways. I am vegan which saves a certain number of animals, their feed and water requirements(HUGE) and waste pollution. Bring stainless coffee/tea tumblers always in the car. Flush the toilet after 4 or 5 pees instead of every time(only at home obviously). Try to use up all my produce since I am a stakeholder in a local csa-Community supported agriculture?? my little family farmers.
Thanks for posting this. Hope it inspires.
So many great comments from everyone! I've learned a lot. Thanks
@BeeHappy, yours has been a very important question on a hot issue (no pun intended).
I am almost obsessive when it comes to REAL, environmental issues.
Whoa! Awesome! Thanks for all you do and keep up the good work!
i'm mightily impressed, great work you're doing
Wow! I am so impressed with our group. You all do so much! Most of my neighbors don't do diddley squat! Love you guys! <3
Me too!
yes, & me
I do the same except making my own cleaning fluids. I alway pick up garbage when I see it. I hate litter. I never idle my car, and try to be fuel efficient. I reuse things like empty cans and bottles, or anything else that I can find alternate uses for, instead of throwing it away. I wish I lived in a place where I could walk/bike more, but it's too spread out where I live.