The appeance of a gamut of eco-friendly products like fabrics made from bamboo, cosmetics, household cleaning products and foods made only with natural organic ingredients points in one direction: vendors are showing how much they care about the future of our planet Earth. As consumers each of us can be supportive where the dollar counts, but certainly there is more that we can do as individuals, within the one domain where we each have total control, our homes.
Let’s address how much of a difference we can make by adopting a more proactive attitude in everything we buy, use or toss. How much more we can recycle or regenerate simply by being more responsible throughout our daily routines?
For example, each time one buys groceries, how many plastic bags does one end up using for fruits and vegetables? Some grocery stores have bins to recycle these plastic bags, but what if one simply stored all the plastic bags and then kept reusing them each time per visit? How much effort would that require? Kudos to the food markets that are selling tote bags that can be used indefinitely, saving countless numbers of trees and endless plastic waste. Can’t these same tote bags be used for other shopping expeditions?
Here’s another wake-up call. Each time we see an ad for toothpaste has it ever occurred to anyone that only one tiny, little dab is more than sufficient to brush one’s teeth? Of course manufacturers are suggesting that one squeeze out more toothpaste than is necessary for the simple reason that the sooner we use up the tube, the sooner and more we purchase. But, really, how ridiculous to foam up one’s entire mouth! Think how many other products we use unconsciously at the discretion of what is suggested in advertising.
One only need to be mindful and begin to consciously begin developing new “consumer” habits according to what is practical, logical and contributing to less waste. For more examples:
- When that toothpaste tube seems about used up, cut it in half and begin scooping out the remaining paste with your toothbrush. It’s likely there will be another couple of weeks' worth available before having to open a brand-new tube.
- The same goes for bottled products; when that lotion or shampoo gets near the bottom, it can be stored upside down and be good to the very last drop. Less waste adds up to greater savings in the long run.
- Don’t forget that recycling clean, empty containers also helps those in the recycling industry.
It may sound or look as if one is being an ultimate penny-pincher, and in fact one is, but more to the point, one is simply being less wasteful and turning a better shade of green.
Kermit the frog sang that “It's not easy being green,” but like anything else in life, with practice and more practice new habits become considerably easier.
 |
