Reusable containers for lunch/travel
If you bring your lunch to work or you have children that bring a lunch to school have you ever looked at what get’s thrown away? I don’t mean food; I mean packaging. Do you use a lot of those plastic baggies? Do you use the plastic baggies for your sandwich or maybe snacks like chips, crackers, etc? What about yogurt or other foods that are prepackaged? We should take a look at this since you could not only generate less waste but save money at the same time. How do you carry your lunch? Paper bag, plastic bag, or maybe a reusable cooler bag? If you buy those small brown bags for your lunch you could always use something that is reusable instead. And that would save you some money. Instead of having to throw away the bag you could use a reusable lunch bag. If you do thrown away those paper bags where do they go? Do they go in the regular trash? Here’s a thought… what about the energy used to make all that packaging???
I myself use a smaller cooler bag for my lunch and I really try to limit the use of those plastic baggies or plastic wrap. Did you know that you can recycle aluminum foil? Just some ideas to keep in mind when packing your lunch. I wonder how much of a difference this would make if most of us did this?
Help RI surfers clean the beaches and get rid of your household waste
You can join the RI Surf Riders this Saturday for a Trick or Trash beach cleanup. Volunteers will work 9AM to 11AM in Newport beginning at Easton’s Beach and from 9AM to 1PM beginning at Narragansett Town Beach. A post-cleanup BBQ will be held in Narragansett for all volunteers. In addition, an Eco-Depot drop off for household hazardous waste will be held at the Narragansett Town Beach North Parking Lot from 8AM – 1PM. If you have any questions please call 451-2688. www.greenlivingri.com
Solar Alternative
I recently checked in solar hot water. I need to replace my hot waterheater and thought it a good time to check into the cost of solar hot water. I have a family of five- two adults and 3 young children.
The cost would be approximately $13,000. Wow! I figured it would be costly but I was hoping that it wouldn’t be that much. Now I’m going to check into the most efficient types/brands of water heaters. Right now I have a gas hot water tank that’s about 12 years old. This is pretty old for a hot water heater so I definitely want to replace it before it goes.
I’ve heard of a type of water heater that heats the water as you use it (sort of an in-line heater). I’m not sure how appropriate this is if you use a lot of hot water. I will definitely be looking at energy star ratings and won’t leave it up to the plumber to choose. I’ll approach it as a few more bucks for a high energy efficiency rating will be well worth it. I know there are ones also that can prevent a flood if something happens to the heater!
Have you heard of Worm Composting
I’ve recently come across many articles about Worm Composting and figured I’d give it a shot. I bought a pound of worms via the mail for $25. I guess they’re not your standard worms – they are red wiggler worms – formally known as eisenia foetida. If you do a web search you should be able to find places that sell them. Here in Rhode Island is a place called Angora and Worms (www.angoraandworms.com). That’s where I got my worms. I believe they ship to other states as well.
It’s pretty simple to do and there are many sites that give directions. You can do a search and find sites like this: http://journeytoforever.org/compost_worm.html
I’ve been doing it for about a month now. I’m using a plastic bin with air holes on the top and sides. In my bin is some damp newspaper, organic kitchen waste (and coffee grounds), some dirt, and more newspaper to cover the pile. At first, some of the worms we’re venturing up the sides of the bin and resting on the lip below the cover. It appears that my bin was too wet. I added more dirt and took out some of the soaked newspaper and now the worms are staying in the pile.
It’s really not much work. I have a tupperware container with a good cover to store the scraps. And every couple of days I drop them in the bin and push them into the lower part of the pile in the paper.
People also use woodbins. I’ve read that it can be done outside in the winter if you remove the bottom from your bin. That way the worms can burrow down when it gets really cold.
The worm castings are supposed to be great for gardens and plants. And it’s free. Good luck if you give it a try. You’ll find some other info at www.greenlivingri.com
Does a green life improve your life overall
This morning I read a post on http://zenhabits.net/2007/10/5-ways-save-the-world-while-getting-fitter-saving-money-simplifying-and-becoming-happier/
This post really seemed to make a lot of sense to me. Living an environmentally responsible life can lead to happiness in other areas of life. I think it has helped. Here are a few tidbits.
- I spend a lot of time outside and it’s usually with my family. My son loves working in the yard with me. He loves planting and picking veggies in the garden. Even watering – although that sometimes gets out of control – he’s 4 so when it’s warm out he usually ‘waters’ us as well. We did some grass seed this weekend. And he uses his toy dump truck to carry things around for me.
- I went apple picking a few weekends ago and my 3 kids had a blast.
- My 4 year old also likes cutting the grass and I try to teach him about recycling and composting at the same – and he loves worms.
- When you live a green lifestyle you also become somewhat frugal since you don’t like to see things go to waste – and end up in the landfill. So the extra cash can enhance your life.
I could keep going on and on and on but I’ll save some for future days.
Pay as you throw trash disposal programs
I recently spoke with a friend about his town’s sanitation program. It’s a a pay as throw program where as the residents go to the local transfer station and pay per bag of trash. It appears to be an effective incentive for recycling. In this town, the recyables are picked up at residence’s home – that’s another incentive – less stuff to haul to the dump. This friend also composts which cuts down on the amount of trash he has to pay to dump. Sounds like a pretty good system
Reusing versus disposable
Have you ever thought about how much we throw away. One simple example would be looking at how you take your lunch to work or school. Do you use a bag that you throw away when you’re done? Or a bag that you resuse each day?
How about the individual items in your lunch. Sandwich, fruit, chips, yogurt, etc. Are these items in something that you throw away also? Do you use any reusable containers? Most items could easily be packed in reusable containers. Why buy all those sandwich baggies when you can keep reusing containers? How about that yogurt? Does it come in large containers? If so, you could buy the large containers and use reusable containers to bring it for lunch.
What about plastic resealable bags that other products come in. I’m always rinsing those out and using them for other things. As you see, you can reduce the amount of trash you generate and save money!!
Green Friendly Holiday Shopping… makes you think
When holiday shopping this year here are some things to consider:
- Instead of buying something would it be more meaningful and more earth friendly to make something for someone. Maybe you have the materials already just hanging around? And there won’t be packaging to dispose of.
- Can you use recycled wrapping paper or paper that is recyclable. Or maybe even re-use gift bags from prior years!!!
I’m sure there are many, many more things we can be doing. Anyone have any suggestions?
Visit to a Recycling Facility
Today I visited the state of Rhode Island’s Recycling Facility. www.rirrc.org
It was quite an experience. I couldn’t believe how much material is recycled. And you would think that as a state RI is doing a good job with recycling. But, we only recycle about 17% of all our recyclable waste. So I guess as a state we’re not doing a very good job. I wonder how other states in the US compare to Rhode Island?
It was also interesting see the types of products that are made from recycled material. Stay tuned for more.
Welcome to Green Living RI
Welcome to greenlivingri.com. Green Living RI is dedicated to helping people living a green, more earth friendly lifestyle. We are Rhode Island’s source for information, services, and products for living green. Stay tuned for many more blog entries.
