Goal For The Green

Editor’s Note:  I am bringing this post forward to my front page, because of its relevance and importance.  It is my hope and desire that you will make recycling, and your own personal waste management, a top priority.

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It is the third R in the term reduce, reuse, and recycle. It is the re-making of old materials into useful new products.  The goal of recycling is to reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials and energy usage, which then reduces green house gas emissions. By  recycling, we also lower the  amount of raw waste that would otherwise end up in our landfills. Recycling is the key component in waste management as we know it today.

The convenience of recycling at your curb-side now serves half of the U.S. population.  The top five most recycled items are paper, plastic, glass, aluminum and steel/tin cans.

In 2007, my area implemented the use of single stream recycling.  The company provides 65 to 94 gallon carts in which all materials are commingled.  This means that households no longer have to separate their materials into recycling bins.  Evidence has already proven that this method has increased the quantity of household recyclables.

My area also has a recycle depot.  I have not had garbage service for years, because of an altercation with the company.  I set up my own system in my garage.  It consists of two 32 gallon trash cans, one for plastic and one for trash,and 4 blue recylce bins for newspaper, magazines/junk mail, glass, and cans. We also have an area to break down and stack cardboard. When my children were still home we went to the dump every other Saturday.  Now, my husband goes once every 4-6 weeks, with one 32 gallon bag.  They know him at the dump, and the most they ever charge him is $3.00.  Many times they let him go for free because they know he is a disabled vet.  The average rate for disposal in my area is about $35 a month.  That’s a pretty good savings for not very much work.

Written in association with waste management experts

Although it doesn’t feel like it here in Washington, ( only in the 40’s), it’s time to at least start thinking about making our homes all fresh and clean for the Spring and Summer months.

About a year ago to be exact, I spoke about Green Spring Cleaning Agents, to help you with that task.  There are some helpful tips there, that are cost free and available from your kitchen pantry.  Better yet, it’s more than likely you have these things on hand, without having to make a special run to the store to purchase cleaners.

Then there is the matter of the garage.  At least, I can park in mine, but there is plenty to get rid of.  I will more than likely, sort things, and start by having a garage sale.  What does’nt sell, I like to donate to my local Women’s Shelter.  Household goods are put to good use there, by women who are about to start their lives over, after leaving abusive relationships.

Another thing to do, is give  your things away.  Lyndi, over at Thrifty Creativity wrote an excellent post on freecycling.  She can tell you everything you want to know about, how you can get what you want, or need for free through The Freecycle Network.  Be sure to check it out.

My hope is that these tips and ideas will help you with these often dreaded and daunting tasks.  At least they can help you be more thrifty, frugal, and “green.”

Here is a list of five inexpensive things that will help you save energy and money.

1. Compact fluorescent light bulbs: It is a fact that if every American household converted five regular light bulbs to five fluorescent bulbs, the energy saved would be equal to taking a million cars off the highway for a full year.  How is that for an ah-ha moment?

2. Outdoor Solar Lights: They don’t burn any electricity or use any CO2.

3. Programable Thermostats: A difference of just 2 degrees can reduce a homes CO2 emissions by up to 9% over the course of a year.

4. Air Filters: If you change the air filters in your heating and cooling system at least twice an year (Spring and Fall) of can knock off 2% of your homes CO2 emissions a year.  There will be less dust and chance for allergies and sickness as well.

5. Electric Hot Water Blankets: This small investment (about $18) can save you 41/2% on your power bill.