By Randy

I just started to recycle my empty spring water bottles and was startled by the amount of bottles that I collected in the recycling bin. Then I looked into making my own clean water and learned how simple it was to do with this water purifier. I even make my own pure ice cubes that easily fit in my sport bottle and would never have fit in the ones I had to recycle. So now I save over $75 a month from not buying bottled water and I don’t have a pile of plastic to recycle. Not only was it easy to do and better for the environment, I’m actually saving money!

By Mary Jo

I use the water from my dehumidifier to water my special plants especially during our town’s odd/even water ban. With the recent humid weather in the Northeast my morning glories, daylilies and petunias are still thriving.

I purchased bigger plastic wide mouthed water bottles for my kids to use for sports instead of disposable water or Gatorade bottles. Each child has their own colored bottle which is easy to distinguish from the other team members.

I encouraged my tennis team members to use reusable water bottles or jugs vs. disposable water bottles.

I have become more conscious of opportunities to carpool to meetings or sporting events. It saves gas, reduces emissions and gives us a chance to catch up socally before the events.

Our town is looking at instituting a policy where our trash bins will not be picked up unless we also put out a recycling bin(s) as well.

Trying to get more news online instead of buying a traditional newspaper during the week days.

Using the library more instead of buying books at the local chain bookstore.

Using less paper plates and disposable cups than usual at home during the summer.

By Crazy Eyes Keiter

Nice bum, where ya from? That’s what immediately came to mind last weekend as my wife o-so-gracefully stood up from her chair during a dinner party we hosted. After thinking about it, I realized it was not her bum that excited me so much but rather our new Spring Chair by Modern Bamboo her bum had just graced. Just look at those lines, smooth, graceful and aesthetically appealing from every angle… the chair that is.

This gorgeous piece of furniture is crafted from a single piece of plywood… FSC Certified of course. Bent ply is a relatively new style of design which eliminates the usual extra waste associated with traditional furniture making by using only minimal amounts of wood. So, if you every find yourself at my home and you think I am ogling your derriere… I am probably just admiring the chair.

It’s about time we saved the trees. The recycled paper towels arrive, and our merchandising team member celebrates the moment.

Walter

On Father’s Day, my wife and I enjoyed our first celebration of this day by picnicking with our one year old son, Jackson.  While I tried to eat my lunch and keep Jack from treating the potato salad like Play-doh, she calmly informed me that we would have two reasons to celebrate this time next year.  Filled with surprise and excitement, I hugged her and we reminisced about all the ups and downs of that tumultuous, yet terrific first year with Jack.

Many wonderful things came to mind on that outing.  It wasn’t until a few days later that I remembered some of the less noteworthy tasks I took sole responsibility for whilst my wife began her own journey toward motherhood.  One such task was changing the litter box for our little feline friend, Oatsie.  Don’t ask; he was an adopted cat, and I assumed he would listen to me even less than he does already, if I was so bold as to change his name.

Admittedly, I tried everything to make this chore less odious (yes, pun is intended) than it already was.  In my research, I inadvertently learned the process that is involved in making most cat litters.  Turns out, the clay used to make the litter is strip-mined, which causes obvious damage to our planet.  As if this was not enough, I further learned that clay like litter can cause damage to a cat’s respiratory tract from the harmful dust.  Further, while your cat may be innocently removing the litter and debris out of their paws with that innocuous tongue cleansing, they are quietly ingesting the litter which can eventually block their digestive tract faster than you can say, “hairball”. Lastly, I thought, if this can do damage to my cat’s respiratory system, what might it do to my own, while I labor over cleaning it? 

I have since switched to a pine chip based litter.  It is better for the cats in every way, and still does the same job just as effectively as those clay derivatives.  Also, it is better for the environment since it is a natural by product, and does not needlessly strip the earth of its resources.  As a bonus, the pine litter actually has a clean, woodsy odor, which stays fresh even after multiple uses.  And I don’t worry about what it does to my or my cat’s health. 

I would look into this if you have an Oatsie of your own.  It’s the one time I can say litter is good for the environment.

It’s official. We are no longer buying wasteful plastic utensils thanks to our office manager. Silverware has arrived into our kitchen drawers, and a dish drying rack appeared on the countertop one day to accomodate this new green endeavour.

Two big wins with this purchase: the company saves money and less waste in landfills. Now, if we could only convince the local restaurants to stop giving out free plasticware with lunch take-out orders.

Mercia Tapping

We have a north facing den, which in winter gets abysmally chilly. And, much to my chagrin, my husband has been prone to putting on space heaters at full blast and running up our electricity bill. I have been racking my brains as to stop this behavior without having him to go to bed to watch TV and be warm enough.

So, this fall I have a number of cozy throws strategically draped over chairs and sofas. The first members of the family who think that this is a splendid idea are the cats! They have instantly adopted the new throws. Now we will just have to see whether my husband can be persuaded to use them. Or, at least use a sweater instead of going around in his short sleeves in the dead of winter. Stay tuned.

Mercia Tapping

As much as I dislike doing dishes or using the best china for casual dining, which is an invitation to use paper plates - I have deleted them from our shopping list. Truth is I do not even miss them, because what’s so beautiful about them anyway? Yes, it requires a few more dishes for the dishwasher, but at least I do not have that guilty feeling when I see all the overflowing plastic in my trash. I bought some nice colored polycarbonate glasses for outdoor living to avoid glassware, and they are wearing well.

Mercia Tapping

I was fascinated to read in an English newspaper last week that in a nation-wide poll about their ideal home, the English no longer wanted a stately historic home or even a castle. They dreamed of an eco home with a zero carbon footprint! My mouth dropped open and I sadly thought that here in America, we have such a long way to go before green homes become the nation’s dream.

Mercia Tapping

One of the great contrasts I saw after a recent trip to England, is that people rarely use a clothes dryer; whether they live in the city or country. Of course my family owns dryers, but they hang their clothes out to dry. Now in this country it is often forbidden—and seen as littering the landscape—interesting!