Saturday, April 18, 2009

Earth Day - step 1 - Reduce

For Earth Day this week I have a few challenges for you, some simple ways you can participate in showing appreciation for our planet, I'd love to hear what you are doing too...

Here are 2 challenges to complete on the first R - Reduce

1. At catalogchoice.org,

you can cancel unread catalogs, that use paper, postage and fuel to arrive at your door. It's a free service and you can log-in to update anytime.

2. Cancel the delivery of your phone book by going to yellowpagesgoesgreen.org. Really not a stable booster seat at the table anyway and really when was the last time you used it for a reference? Yet you get at least one every year...

My big goal for this month is to make and use cloth napkins, so more to come on those... We use way too many paper towels around here. I think we make too many messes too, but that's another post.

For more great tips on reducing your personal environmental impact my friend Kami has a great post on her blog.

I'll be doing more green posting this week. I have some fun crafts and activities to celebrate planned, starting tomorrow with a hike, it looks like sunshine in the forecast!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I had no idea you could cancel the delivery of your phone book! Thanks for that. I will be going right over to the site to do it. We always get ours and put them in the recycling bin right away.

chicklegirl said...

Great ideas! I'm going to cancel my catalogs and my phone books because I really hate all the extra bulk they generate.

I also have the same problem with paper napkins and towels at my house. Fun idea to make napkins, but another way you could tie in the reduce concept would be make just a few fun napkins and then purchase some more from a thrift store, since you will no doubt need a good amount of napkins with two boys. :) That way you're reducing (by not creating more napkins that will eventually be disposed of) AND reusing!

Rainy Day Farm said...

Thanks for sharing those great tips, and reminding me it is Earth Day. I think we need to get out and pick up the trash on our road again. I can't believe how much is out there since we did it a few weeks ago. Where are you going hiking? Sounds fun!

Kamis Khlopchyk said...

Thaks for reminding me...Land End sends me a catalogue monthly and always curse as I put it directly into the recycle bin. I am not 60 years old for goodness sake!

To replace paper towels, we use micro fibre cloths. they are super absorbent, I convinced my mom of their amazingness when I sopped up dog pee from the carpet in one swoop and the carpet didn't' even smell.....

Happy Earth day!

Tammy said...

You are awesome! I had no idea about the phonebook thing and I was just complaining to Scott because another one just showed up on our door. I've already gone to the site to get us off that list!!

I did the catalog thing awhile back, but I think I better go update that as well. I seem to be getting more and more again!

Thanks for all the good info!!