Some simple and effective ways to change the world :)

I found this great link online about 50 Ways to Help Save the Planet.  It has got some really easy, simple ways to reduce our negative impact on the environment.  Most of them are cost-effective, if not free, and are more about changing some of our habits... a lot of them are common sense tips that make complete sense when you hear them, but would simply not occur to your average Joe or Jane. 
Like this one, "Skip rinsing dishes before using your dishwasher and save up to 20 gallons of water each load," or this one, "Go vegetarian once a week. One less meat-based meal a week helps the planet and your diet. For example: It requires 2,500 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef. You will also also save some trees. For each hamburger that originated from animals raised on rainforest land, approximately 55 square feet of forest have been destroyed."  Compelling stuff.

There is tons of good information on this site.  I really liked the one about professional car washes being much more efficient than doing it yourself.  Another fact I found crazy, but which made complete sense once I thought about it was related to coffee stick stirrers (who'da thunk?) "Each year, Americans throw away 138 billion straws and stirrers. But skipping the stirrer doesn't mean drinking your coffee black. Simply put your sugar and cream in first, and then pour in the coffee, and it should be well mixed." Huh!  Interesting, isn't it?!

And for goodness sakes people, lets all get with the times (including myself.)  It's time to move to paperless billing with ALL my bills.  I haven't arranged it with a lot of them, but I need to.  And I am going to, after reading this!  "By some estimates, if all households in the U.S. paid their bills online and received electronic statements instead of paper, we'd save 18.5 million trees every year, 2.2 billion tons of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, and 1.7 billion pounds of solid waste."  After reading this, how can I not do something, when it is such a small thing for me, ONE PERSON to do, yet can have such a positive impact? 

Anyway, keep thinking green, and stay positive!  I'll be back soon :)

Love, Meagan

Greener packaging = a happier planet

Did you know that approximately 30% of the average American's trashbin is filled with containers and packaging waste, according to a study done by the EPA in 2008?

 

An eco-friendly, green packaging alternative has arrived, courtesy of designer Aaron Mickelson, who unbelievably claims to have found a way to eliminate packaging waste, ALTOGETHER.  And yes, that means 100% eliminated!  He seems to have created a prototype called "The Disappearing Package."  Check out this article and see what you think... I will follow up and see if any new information comes out about obtaining these awesome new items.

In the meantime, I found a couple of easy ways for ME and YOU to eliminate packaging waste in our own homes through a neat website called www.ecolife.com.

Look for unpackaged consumer goods: Many companies have put in a lot of effort to reduce their packaging to zero. When the option is available, take it!

Bring your own containers: Whether you’ll need a water refill while at the park or are looking for ways to take your restaurant leftovers home, you can reduce packaging waste by bringing your own reusable containers like glass water bottles, stainless steel coffee mugs, and collapsible food containers.

Select products in refillable containers: Some personal care products and food items can be purchased in refillable containers like glass jars and reusable plastic bottles.

Buy in bulk: Real bulk items are those in a single large container (refillable is even better) that holds many individual servings. Don’t confuse bulk with many individually-wrapped items bundled together in one large palette, though.

Look for recycled packaging: Wrappers and boxes made from post-consumer recycled materials are definitely better than virgin-made packages, though this option should come only after you’ve looked for ways to reduce your packaging waste.

Choose lightweight packaging: Minimal packaging is always the best and can significantly reduce the materials needed for packaging, the fuel needed to transport an item, and the energy needed to make it. Aluminum beer cans made with 12% less metal saved Coors 637 tons of aluminum.

Seek out biodegradable packaging: This type of packaging is usually made of some sort of corn-based plastic that can be broken in a commercial composting facility (not your backyard compost pile) that reaches very high temperatures under just the right conditions. However, currently these types of containers cannot be sent to the recycling facilities with your regular plastics (they contaminate the recycling batches) and are therefore ideal only for those with curbside composting pick-up.

 In the meantime, think green and stay positive!  More tips to come :)
Love, Meagan