Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Friday, March 7, 2008
saved!
A-ha! I stopped a co-worker from throwing out a plastic produce bag, and she thanked me. I'm taking the bag home to recycle.
We're starting a "Go Green" initiative at work to reduce, reuse and recycle. My assigment is to educate co-workers on reducing unnecessary printouts to save paper and printer ink; and I'll be the official recycler of cardboard products if people don't want to take them home (excluding corrugated boxes, like printer paper and shipping boxes, since we already recycle those). I see so much cardboard in the kitchen trash and take it out -- I think most people aren't aware of how much they can recycle.
We're starting a "Go Green" initiative at work to reduce, reuse and recycle. My assigment is to educate co-workers on reducing unnecessary printouts to save paper and printer ink; and I'll be the official recycler of cardboard products if people don't want to take them home (excluding corrugated boxes, like printer paper and shipping boxes, since we already recycle those). I see so much cardboard in the kitchen trash and take it out -- I think most people aren't aware of how much they can recycle.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
sayonara, swiffer!
It's time for a trade-in. While surfing around for some eco-friendly dryer sheets, I discovered a whole host of method products online -- ones I haven't found at Target yet. Well, I suppose I've seen the omop at Target, but I figured I didn't need to buy another Swiffer-type mop because I already have one. But all those Swiffer cloths just go in the trash, right? Had I taken the time to look closely at the sweeping cloths designed for the omop, I probably would've grabbed it off the shelf a long time ago. The sweeping cloths are compostable and made from corn! Not only is this a totally cool concept, but it's right in line with my goal to generate less trash. Once we move into our new house, we plan to set up a composting bin, in which these neat little cloths will go when spent. Bingo.
So I went to methodhome.com and ordered me an omop wood floor starter kit and an extra package of sweeping cloths. The Swiffer mop is on its way out the door (but not in the trash). I can't wait to try the new mop on the wood floors in the new house.
Method also makes that eco-friendly dryer cloth I was searching for, don'tcha know. It's biodegradable, whereas other dryer sheets only contain biodegradable softening agents. The method bathroom wipes are flushable and biodegradable, and the hand soap refill packaging uses 83% less plastic than a rigid PET bottle (yes, I'm regurgitating info from the Web site, but I think it's great!). These are great products that can help you begin the transition to green cleaning, if you're not ready to make your own cleaners. Target carries most of the cleaning products, and you can order them on the method Web site, if you don't see what you want at Target. Take note: drugstore.com carries several method products, but they're priced higher than at methodhome.com.
In other eco news, we switched out the old chemical-laden kitty litter with a wheat litter we found at the Seward Co-op. Not only will Marty smell a lot better, but he won't track chemicals all over the house with his kitty paws (or ingest the chemicals), and the litter is flushable. We flushed the kitty clumps yesterday to test the flushability; it looked pretty gross in the toilet, but it went down with no problem. The price wasn't all that bad, either.
So I went to methodhome.com and ordered me an omop wood floor starter kit and an extra package of sweeping cloths. The Swiffer mop is on its way out the door (but not in the trash). I can't wait to try the new mop on the wood floors in the new house.
Method also makes that eco-friendly dryer cloth I was searching for, don'tcha know. It's biodegradable, whereas other dryer sheets only contain biodegradable softening agents. The method bathroom wipes are flushable and biodegradable, and the hand soap refill packaging uses 83% less plastic than a rigid PET bottle (yes, I'm regurgitating info from the Web site, but I think it's great!). These are great products that can help you begin the transition to green cleaning, if you're not ready to make your own cleaners. Target carries most of the cleaning products, and you can order them on the method Web site, if you don't see what you want at Target. Take note: drugstore.com carries several method products, but they're priced higher than at methodhome.com.
In other eco news, we switched out the old chemical-laden kitty litter with a wheat litter we found at the Seward Co-op. Not only will Marty smell a lot better, but he won't track chemicals all over the house with his kitty paws (or ingest the chemicals), and the litter is flushable. We flushed the kitty clumps yesterday to test the flushability; it looked pretty gross in the toilet, but it went down with no problem. The price wasn't all that bad, either.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
reusable bag update
As I amass my collection of reusable shopping bags, I'm noticing more retailers offering them for sale. A few weeks back, Target had a few different styles, and I picked up a little collapsable zippered bag to keep in my purse. It's been great for toting my lunch groceries for work -- I walk to the downtown Minneapolis Target on my lunch hour and shop for lunch items for the week.
So Target is selling resuable bags for $0.99-$1.49 a piece. I've noticed you really have to look for them now -- for a while they were up front at the registers. I found them on an endcap last week near the greeting cards.
And just last Sunday, I saw Roundy's-branded reusable bags at the registers in Rainbow Foods. They sell for $1.49 too. I think it's much easier to pack groceries in these bags; they're not as deep as paper bags, so it's easier for us short-armed people to reach in, organize and pack.
Check them out at sustainableisgood.com and buy some on your next shopping trip. The ecobags.com Web site claims that GreenBag® resuable bags have a tested lifespan of 2 to 3 years -- not bad. (GreenBag is the company that manufacturers these retailer-branded bags.)
Don't get me wrong, I still take home the occasional paper bag to stash away for city recycling. But if I don't have to take home a plastic bag that I'm just going to toss in the recycling, I'm happy to bring my reusable bag.
So Target is selling resuable bags for $0.99-$1.49 a piece. I've noticed you really have to look for them now -- for a while they were up front at the registers. I found them on an endcap last week near the greeting cards.
And just last Sunday, I saw Roundy's-branded reusable bags at the registers in Rainbow Foods. They sell for $1.49 too. I think it's much easier to pack groceries in these bags; they're not as deep as paper bags, so it's easier for us short-armed people to reach in, organize and pack.
Check them out at sustainableisgood.com and buy some on your next shopping trip. The ecobags.com Web site claims that GreenBag® resuable bags have a tested lifespan of 2 to 3 years -- not bad. (GreenBag is the company that manufacturers these retailer-branded bags.)
Don't get me wrong, I still take home the occasional paper bag to stash away for city recycling. But if I don't have to take home a plastic bag that I'm just going to toss in the recycling, I'm happy to bring my reusable bag.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
kate's reuse-it tip no. 1
What to do with those plastic left-over "doggie bag" containers.
It's nice to see more and more restaurants providing plastic doggie-bag containers, in favor of styrofoam ones. But they aren't recyclable. So instead of throwing them away after eating leftovers, I discovered a great way to consolidate dry goods in the pantry using the containers.
I had all these half-empty produce bags of nuts and dried fruits in the pantry, taking up space and making it hard to find the item I needed in a sea of plastic bags. So I washed the doggie-bag containers and emptied the half-empty bags of similar foods into the containers. I put the loose dried fruit -- cherries, cranberries, blueberries -- into one container; small Ziploc bags of separated nuts -- almonds, sunflower seeds, pecans -- in another; and loose raisins in a third. The containers have air-tight lids, so everything should stay fresh. (Besides, does dried fruit really go bad?)
And Doug made a good point -- you could even mix and match to make trail mix!
Now I have three storage containers of dried snacks in the pantry, I can find exactly what I need right away, and there's less clutter on the shelf. And the plastic bags the snacks were packaged in went in the plastic-bag recycling, since plastic produce bags and zipper bags (with the zip top removed) can be recycled in the bin at the grocery store.
Plus, I saved myself some guilt in not having created excess trash. I threw away two small fruit bags (with aluminum on the inside) and one zip top from a zippered bag.
It's nice to see more and more restaurants providing plastic doggie-bag containers, in favor of styrofoam ones. But they aren't recyclable. So instead of throwing them away after eating leftovers, I discovered a great way to consolidate dry goods in the pantry using the containers.
I had all these half-empty produce bags of nuts and dried fruits in the pantry, taking up space and making it hard to find the item I needed in a sea of plastic bags. So I washed the doggie-bag containers and emptied the half-empty bags of similar foods into the containers. I put the loose dried fruit -- cherries, cranberries, blueberries -- into one container; small Ziploc bags of separated nuts -- almonds, sunflower seeds, pecans -- in another; and loose raisins in a third. The containers have air-tight lids, so everything should stay fresh. (Besides, does dried fruit really go bad?)
And Doug made a good point -- you could even mix and match to make trail mix!
Now I have three storage containers of dried snacks in the pantry, I can find exactly what I need right away, and there's less clutter on the shelf. And the plastic bags the snacks were packaged in went in the plastic-bag recycling, since plastic produce bags and zipper bags (with the zip top removed) can be recycled in the bin at the grocery store.
Plus, I saved myself some guilt in not having created excess trash. I threw away two small fruit bags (with aluminum on the inside) and one zip top from a zippered bag.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
gimme fiction
I usually find myself breezing through novels, without processing too much "advice"-type messaging, whether it's blatant or not. Or maybe I don't usually take away a whole lot after finishing a book.
But the planets seem to be aligned, and the novel I'm reading currently has proven to be more than relevant to where I'm at in my life. It's called A Spot of Bother by Mark Haddon. I'd read one of his novels a few years ago and thought I'd give his follow-up a try. And despite the ups and downs throughout the plot, I'm either relating to or taking away lessons from the characters. Although he writes in a very simple style, Haddon is brilliant with content and at crafting realistic situations.
I'm nearing the end of the book, and last night, I stumbled upon some ingenious thoughts on self-awareness. The son, Jamie, is struggling with a breakup and trying to be a better son and brother. And at this particular moment, he's deciding how to deal with showing up late to his sister's wedding. This isn't verbatim, but I was floored by this concept he presented to himself: There are two things that help you be a better person. The first is thinking about other people. The second is not caring what others think about you.
I had to reread it, then reread it again to make sure I read it correctly. How often is it that you find such prolific ideas in a piece of fiction?
So I'm committing this fantastic advice to memory. When I start to feel like my thoughts and emotions are out of control, I can always come back to this simple concept and find peace in knowing everything will be OK as long as I carry it out.
But the planets seem to be aligned, and the novel I'm reading currently has proven to be more than relevant to where I'm at in my life. It's called A Spot of Bother by Mark Haddon. I'd read one of his novels a few years ago and thought I'd give his follow-up a try. And despite the ups and downs throughout the plot, I'm either relating to or taking away lessons from the characters. Although he writes in a very simple style, Haddon is brilliant with content and at crafting realistic situations.
I'm nearing the end of the book, and last night, I stumbled upon some ingenious thoughts on self-awareness. The son, Jamie, is struggling with a breakup and trying to be a better son and brother. And at this particular moment, he's deciding how to deal with showing up late to his sister's wedding. This isn't verbatim, but I was floored by this concept he presented to himself: There are two things that help you be a better person. The first is thinking about other people. The second is not caring what others think about you.
I had to reread it, then reread it again to make sure I read it correctly. How often is it that you find such prolific ideas in a piece of fiction?
So I'm committing this fantastic advice to memory. When I start to feel like my thoughts and emotions are out of control, I can always come back to this simple concept and find peace in knowing everything will be OK as long as I carry it out.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
holiday 2007 photo-vid
It's been a fairly busy week, and I haven't quite processed my thoughts from the week's events yet. But I spent a few hours tonight putting together some great photos from our trip to New York City at Christmas.
We spent Dec. 21-25 in the Big Apple, and it was an absolutely fantastic trip, as you can see from my YouTube photo album. Once I have the high-quality photos posted on flickr, I'll post a link.
And yes, Doug has his finger in his nose in the subway station (in case you couldn't tell).
We spent Dec. 21-25 in the Big Apple, and it was an absolutely fantastic trip, as you can see from my YouTube photo album. Once I have the high-quality photos posted on flickr, I'll post a link.
And yes, Doug has his finger in his nose in the subway station (in case you couldn't tell).
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