Category: Products

Green Resolutions for 2009!

Green Living Ideas is a website dedicated to exactly that. Providing ideas on how to live in such a way as to be more aware of environmental sustainability of every aspect of your life. The site even offers podcasts on a wide variety of topics that you can listen on demand through itunes.

For the New Year they have come up with a list of " 9 Green Resolutions for 2009 "

I am going to see how many of these I can incorporate into my life that I don't already do and I am up for the challenge!

1-Vow to eat an entirely local meal at least once a week.

This one will be interesting to do but not nearly as difficult as I think it will be as I already shop at Eastern Market and local grocers and I just joined the Detroit Zen Center's ' Living Zen Organics' food program which include local produce as well as fair-trade products.

2-Boycott at least one non-green product all year. Make it something that you like and would purchase if it were more eco-friendly. Write to the company that manufactures this product and tell them why you now choose not to buy it.

Oh this one won't be a problem for me as I already write letters to company's that I like their products or I suggest ways to improve them from a consumer point of view. Now I just have to pick my first boycotted product of the year and write a note. I will post one when I get a response! Hmm, now what to boycott!

3-Give up using paper napkins, paper towels, or both. Buy a few sets of decorative organic cloth napkins. Clean up spills with old towels cut into smaller squares and then toss them into the laundry.

Now this one is going to be very difficult for me I can tell already. I actually have industrial paper napkin dispensers in my home; one in the kitchen and another in the bathroom. But I like a challenge and the idea of cutting up old towels is a good one and I can stitch up some napkins on my sewing machine. Will report back in this one, wish me luck!

4-Change to low-energy light bulbs.

Done, did this a few years ago, even though I admit I am not a big fan of the light coverage they provide or the color.

5-Cut down on the power that your electronic devices use by plugging them into power strips you can conveniently switch off when you're not using them.

Oh I do this one too! They say "Five Percent of U.S. Electricity Wasted By "Vampire" Electronics"

6-Don't drive when you can walk. Take time to appreciate the glimpse of beauty and vibrant life that the natural world offers. Savor the moments spent away from the rushed hustle and bustle tempo of our schedule-oriented world.

I try to walk when possible and lucky for me I live in Hamtramck which is pretty walk-able so I can go to the market and bakery the post office, the city building to pay my tickets when I forget to feed the meter because I am out and about!

7-Turn off the faucet while you're brushing your teeth. Also take shorter showers or turn off the water while you're soaping up.

Turning off the water to brush your teeth is a no brainer, and I take pretty quick showers as it is, but to turn off the water while I am showering that may not happen I already multitask by conditioning my hair then soaping so I don't waste water.

8-Buy less stuff and really give thought before you buy something. Sometimes it helps to leave the store and think clearheadedly about whether or not you truly need the item(s).

Uh hello? In this economy! Besides I already consider packaging when I buy stuff, excess packaging is just not necessary, but it is always good to be reminded! I have blogged about this before but it's worth it to bring up the short video by Annie Leonard, " "The Story of Stuff"" as it helps put consumption in perspective.

9-Pledge to actually remember to bring your own grocery bags when you go shopping. Hang a prominent reminder (maybe a picture of a tree stump!) from your rear view mirror to help you remember to grab your bags when you get out of the car. Don't hesitate to run back to your car if you find you've forgotten them again. Have someone hold your place in the check-out line and take advantage of the opportunity to burn some calories.

I actually just this month finally used up all of my store plastic bags as garbage bags and will dutifully try to remember to use the nylon bags I have had for over a year now that I never seem to leave in the car after I actually do use them. But now I have like 5 bags for just this purpose and should have not excuse as I start 2009!

Wish me luck!