Every day, I am reminded that going green is a journey of discovery. Just when I think I have a handle on things, I read an article or talk to a fellow environmentalist and get more valuable tips for going green. A few days ago, I was speaking to a friend about recycling and they brought up an unusual topic: Toothbrushes.
Like most people, I never really gave a lot of thought to the tools I used to keep my teeth in good shape. Until that day, I didn’t even realize that the caps to toothpaste tubes were totally recyclable (just rinse them off and throw them in the recycle box). But after speaking to my friend and doing some research on the internet, I learned that you can turn a very wasteful necessity (50 million pounds of toothbrushes are dumped in landfills every year) to one that is healthier for the environment.
So for this week’s tips for going green, I’m going show you a few ways you can make your toothbrush a little more eco-friendly.
It is interesting how the times change. Not even a century ago, it was considered a faux pas to have tanned skin. People associated tanned skin with laborers and used natural sunscreen methods to avoid the effects of the sun at all costs. Around the mid-nineteenth century things changed and having a tan indicated you were rich enough to have the time to lie around all day.
These days, however, we better understand the dangers of getting too much sun especially in light of the environmental damage that has been done to the planet. It is more important than ever that you protect yourself while outside and wear sunscreen. Unfortunately, this is where things start getting a little complicated. Not all sunscreens are alike. In fact, there is a very real difference between regular sunblock and all natural sunscreen.
One of the healthiest things you can do for your family, and your wallet, is to grow your own food. Not only does this give you some control over the quality of the food you eat, an edible garden will help lower your overall food bill. After all, a small packet of seeds generally costs only a dollar or two and will produce more than enough food for your family, your neighbors and anyone else who will take a basket of goodies from you. That is, if you use organic pest control methods to prevent the bugs and animals from destroying your crops.
One of the major drawbacks to owning a fruit or vegetable garden is that it can quickly be overrun by insects and animals wanting to snack on the fruits of your labor. It can be tempting to want to use pesticides or other harsh, but effective, chemicals to manage them. However, not only does that harm the environment but pesticide residue will end up on your vegetables and eventually your plate. The side effects from ingesting these chemicals are unpleasant so it is just better to stick with organic pest control to keep your garden bug free.
When you are new to going green, it can be challenging coming up with Earth-friendly solutions to major problems. This is especially true when it comes to finding organic pest control methods that effectively get rid of household pests.
In the past, dealing with pests like ants, roaches, spiders, et al generally entailed using toxic chemicals to kill them or prevent them from entering the home. However, these chemicals are just as dangerous to humans as they are to the bugs they were created to eliminate. Luckily, there are a number of organic pest control methods you can use to keep your home bug free.
Many people assume the water that flows from their kitchen or bathroom faucet is safe to consume and use. After all, they reason, ground water is filtered through a water plant that ensures it is safe, healthy and clean drinking water. The shocking truth is, what comes out of your faucet may not be as healthy for you are you may think.
While there are stringent guidelines watersheds must abide by, once the water leaves the facility it can run into any number of contaminants on its way to your home. Additionally, not everyone gets their water from the public water system. In many areas, mostly rural, water is drawn from other sources like wells. Private water systems are not regulated by the EPA, which means there may be no water filtration in place to ensure clean drinking water for residents.
In the short time I’ve been living green, I’ve found that it really is a lifestyle choice. So if you are going to pick up the ball, you might as well run with it as far as you can. In this article, I’m going to pass along a few going green tips for making your home more environmentally friendly. Some of these tips are simple and cheap and some are a little more complicated and expensive. But in the long run not only will you create a healthier living environment for yourself and your family, you’ll also save money in the process.
Imagine this. You are in the grocery store, kids in tow, filling up the cart and making good time. Just a few more items and you’ll be able to check this task off your long to-do list. As you reach for a case of bottled water you hear a tiny voice say,
“Bottled water is bad for the Earth.”
You look down the grocery aisle but quickly realize that the statement came, not from some militant environmentalist standing by, but from your eight year old who is staring at you with wide innocent eyes.
This year, take an eco-friendly path towards health and wellness by going green at home in 2010. By now you’ve probably heard about how eating organic foods, using Earth-friendly products and reducing your carbon footprint is not only good for the environment but can help you live a longer, healthier life. But while you want to make the commitment to going green at home, you’re just not sure where to start.
Well you’re in luck because I’ve put together a few going green tips that will help you turn your life a shade greener as well as save you money in the process. It’s as simple as remembering to reduce, reuse and recycle.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
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