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.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
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.
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