Going Green...

Okay, before I start, I have a confession to make. I drive a Chevy Tahoe, I use paper towels and I haven’t seen the documentary, An Inconvenient Truth…whewwww, I feel better.

As much as I like to think I’m not influenced by the messages around me, all the talk about GOING GREEN has rubbed off, a little. I also credit the birth of my son Lincoln for opening my eyes. I heard having a baby changes everything, but I had no idea how true that was. The day we brought him home from the hospital, I felt this overwhelming desire to make myself, my home, our community and his world better. I made an effort to reduce stress, stay calm and go with the flow in the first few months of Lincoln’s life (which is a stretch for the slightly bossy, tiny control freak, occasional worrier in me) and I am happy to say I have a sweet-spirited, laid back baby boy. I started organizing monthly donation drives among friends for our local homeless shelter, the Samaritan Inn, that specifically caters to women and children. As I started to see small improvements in myself and our home, and as I became more involved in our community, I found myself looking for ways to be a better citizen of our planet. “Going green” isn’t something we focus on around our house, or obsess over, I’ve just become more aware, that’s all. Here are a few adjustments we’ve made around our house.

My first step was reusable shopping bags. I ordered mine from Ebay and got 6 of them for $6 including shipping. However, I’ve seen them at Wal-Mart, Target and plenty of other places. Not only does this cut down on waste, but you can fit a ton in these bags. I usually grocery shop once a week and I can fit all my groceries into 3-4 of these bags. We’re talking 2 gallons of milk, a few 2 liters, laundry detergent, etc. Not to mention all the other cans and boxes of stuff I end up with. Then once I get home, I can carry 2 at a time over my shoulder and get my son in the house in just 2 trips. BONUS! I run them in the wash if they get dirty and then keep them in my trunk for the next trip. I also take them into the mall or other stores. Some stores, Market Street for example, credit you .05 for each bag.

I have also become a recycling junkie! I’m embarrassed to admit I had NO idea how much could be recycled. Sometimes, we actually recycle more than we discard and I love seeing the blue can overflow. A few of the items below might seem obvious to some, but it wasn’t to me, so I’m guessing it will be new to someone else. Here are a sample of things that can be recycled, but check with your local department to verify.

Cardboard food boxes – cereal, crackers, oatmeal, tea, butter. Practically all cardboard, just remove any plastic lining
Plastic – if it has a triangle on the bottom with a number 1-7, it can be recycled. Plastic containers of baby food, cool whip, sour cream, yogurt, etc. Even baby bottle liners can be recycled. Most lids also have the triangle symbol.
Junk mail – catalogs, magazines, flyers, church bulletin, virtually all paper

Check out Catalog Choice. This clever, free site lets you decline unwanted catalogs, therefore reducing junk mail. It’s already helped people opt out of 12 million catalogs. I still love getting my Pottery Barn catalog, but have declined several others.

For me, it came down to awareness. I was unaware of how much I consumed and how little I recycled. I believe that since I know more, I can do better.

Marcy is a licensed counselor who has been married to Ryan for 4 years. They will soon celebrate the 1st birthday of their son, Lincoln. She is also a proud Fightin' Texas Aggie, a devoted Follower of Christ and one of the most fiercely loyal and dependable friends you could ever know. She blogs regularly at You'll Never Believe This!