Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Going Green in Time for Spring | Family Economics
By Tanna Clark
As you prepare for spring-cleaning, take this opportunity to find ways you can go “green” around your home.
Speaking of spring cleaning, take a good look at your cleaning supplies. Many companies are offering green alternatives. Browse the websites of some of your favorite brands and see what they are doing to go green.
Make the switch to energy efficient light bulbs. According to some sources, these bulbs use up to 75% less energy and last up to 10 years longer. The light bulbs we use are supposed to last up to 5 years. We are putting it to the test by writing the date that we changed the bulb on the light bulb.
Say no to plastic grocery bags. Start carrying reusable grocery bags with you when you go shopping. This will tremendously cut back on waste over time. There are several stylish bags out there that even roll up into a ball that can fit in your purse. No excuse for leaving those at home!
Research your options for recycling. Every state and county has different resources available for recycling. If your county is like ours and does not offer a pickup service you might have other options closer than you think. We have a convenience center that is within 5 miles. We do a weekly drop off of our recyclables. Check online for resources in your area.
Challenge yourself to stop using paper towels. Several years ago we decided to make a new change to cut back on waste by not using paper towels. At the time I thought it would be impossible because it seemed like I was always grabbing for a paper towel without even thinking about it. It ended up being one of the easiest “green” acts we did. I had several baby washcloths leftover from when my daughter was an infant. We used those instead of paper towels and just threw them in the wash after a few clean ups. You could easily make your own washcloths by cutting up old t-shirts.
These are just a few ways you can start making a change at home. Maybe start with this list now and add more next year. You don’t have to make big changes all at once. A little over time goes a long way.