Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW) - Ban single use items

Welcome to Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW)!

Wondering how to live greener? You've come to the right place. Each week we challenge ourselves to try a new task ... or "amp up" something we're already doing. We raise our awareness, learn from each other and develop Eco-friendly skills which will improve our lives and protect our planet. Doing so together gives us power ... the power to Change The World!

If this is your first visit, please click HERE for information and a complete list of all the challenges we've taken on so far.

This post contains great information and I encourage you to read through it at your leisure ... however, if you are short on time, you might find the following quick links helpful:

• The #CTWW Gang
• The Honor Society
• My Final Thoughts on Our Last Challenge
• This Week's Challenge

Last week's challenge was a fun one ... we headed outside and spent some time with nature. I loved hearing about all the ways others got cozy with the natural world. I've always enjoyed being outside, listening to creature sounds, watching their interactions with us and each other, and learning about plants. It reminds me how closely we are related to all things on earth ... we breathe the same air, drink the same water ... it's a beautiful thing!

The Honor Society are those people who help us spread the "green" word by writing an article about our challenges and/or leaving pertinent comments.

Here's how EcoGrrl did this week: "My husband and I make it a habit to walk out into our garden as soon as we get out of bed in the morning and enjoy the stillness in the air and absorb our garden's beauty. It always helps me breathe better to just pad around out there barefoot in the early mornings and around dusk when I'm harvesting food from it. You might like this link, it came from my yoga teacher this morning about mindfulness and reminds me of why getting quiet time in nature is so important: http://www.buddhist-canon.com/PUBLIC/XIUZHENG/eat.htm "

In Change the World Wednesday – 25th Jun, Argentum Vulgaris reveals how not having a smartphone helps him to notice the natural world. He also shares an added bonus of spending time outside ... de-stressing. Be sure to take a look at the graphic towards the bottom of the post ... it says it all!

Airings on Design gave CTWW a nice, headline spot. The rest of that edition includes some great articles on home design. If you're thinking of changing the look and feel of your home, check it out ... there are some interesting ideas.

Welcome to Joanna, who joins us this week. She shares this: "I do a fair amount of walking but don't often take the opportunity to just amble along and enjoy nature. I'll take a wander through my local park this weekend, without headphones. Nature walks always make me feel calmer, so this is something I should do more often!" By the way, if you haven't checked out Joanna's blog, please do so ... she's on a journey to live greener and shares some wonderful thoughts and ideas with readers. Her approach is fresh and interesting. So stop by ... and say hello!

Vanessa joined us. She left this comment: "That's a great idea to try to change the world with one challenge at a time! I'll take yours to heart because I've been caught up in work and haven't been able to go outside and enjoy a peaceful morning with birds. Thanks for the reminder!"

Alicia didn't have any trouble accepting this challenge. Here are her comments: "My husband and I also go out in the early morning and check our garden. For the past several weeks I have been taking a good walk every morning before it starts to get hot. I have really been enjoying all the beautiful flowers that I have been seeing. Some of our neighbors have horses and some have cows and I love seeing them out in the pastures.I also spot a lot of different species of birds, lots of squirrels and some rabbits. Walks can be so peaceful and it is so nice to enjoy all of these wonderful things the Lord has put here for us."

Lois stopped by and shared this: "Now that winter is over, the last thing I want to do is be stuck indoors. I am outside the majority of the day even taking meals out in the field. My furniture projects get dragged outside where I work on them surrounded by bird song and visits by my other wild neighbors."

Clare accepted the challenge and offered us this: " It's so lovely to read the comments on this blog - I think you've built up a wonderful community of like-minded people who truly love being outdoors! I go and feed the birds first thing and then sit and watch them and enjoy the peace of my garden before the heat and the madness of the day! You could combine your time outdoors with another activity, which will keep you in even closer touch with nature - read about it here: http://www.ecofriendlylink.com/blog/forageforfood. and of course if you're appreciating nature, you'll probably want some Zen too - quick read here: http://www.ecofriendlylink.com/blog/zensavetheworld. Thanks Small for a most pleasurable CTWW task this week!"

Deborah joined in the fun and shared this: "Re: Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW) - Discovering Nature When it comes to nature, the best things in life are free! Spending time outside in the fresh air and natural environment really lifts me. And it doesn't have to cost a dime. Whether walking, running, biking, hiking or swimming, being out in nature is one of the best remedies for the "blues". I also talked about the therapeutic benefits of spending time among trees on my blog in the following post: http://urbannaturale.com/now-i-know-why-i-feel-calmer-around-trees-british-study-confirms-it/. I am so glad you shared this thought-provoking post at the Healthy Happy Green and Natural Party Blog Hop! I appreciate it!"

LadyJC accepted our challenge. She said: "I took a nature moment this week when I sat down under the pine tree in the backyard and looked up at the branches. The tree is magnificent and very tall, although a few branches short from the Winter storms. It's quite meditative and I could tell my dog was enjoying the quiet moment too because she sat on my lap and fell asleep! :) Here's a photo of it if you'd like to take a glimpse as well http://buff.ly/1iRSHHz. My more active commune with nature came in the form of foraging for mulberries. It was my first experience foraging in the city and I really enjoyed it. http://buff.ly/1iRTdoO Thank you so much for this challenge. Aside from my regular yard work I will try to add a calm moment with nature several times a week. It makes a huge difference, especially living in the big city! Off to read Clare's entry about foraging for food!"

Our Twitter friends joined the conversation and shared the following:

From @GiveTreeGifts
- Since we're blessed with a life in the country, we're able to take some time out for ourselves each day to enjoy nature
- 5 Reasons to Slow Down Your Life Today, and How to Do It bit.ly/1o2XIf2
- 21 Simple Ways to Slow Down and Enjoy Life ow.ly/yqY4W
- The 10 Essential Rules for Slowing Down and Enjoying Life More ow.ly/yqY8s
- "In all of living, have much fun and laughter. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured." ... Gordon B. Hinckley
- "We're so busy watching out for what's just ahead of us that we don't take time to enjoy where we are." ... Bill Watterson
- "Stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight." ... Gordon B. Hinckley
- "Enjoy life. There's plenty of time to be dead." ... Hans Christian Andersen
- "I finally figured out the only reason to be alive is to enjoy it." ... Rita Mae Brown
- "Life isn't just to be endured, it's to be enjoyed." ... Gordon B.Hinckley
- Enjoying Life in the Slow Lane ow.ly/yqYNW
- Slowing Down the Pace of Life ow.ly/yqYSh

From @GreenQueenofMod
- Bring #nature to your own yard; create a #wildlifehabitat. #gardenchat #birds #wildlife pic.twitter.com/Ox7wPA0zsx ow.ly/yrGVG
- Loving the joy of #birdsong in my own backyard. You can too! #nature #birds #habitatgarden pic.twitter.com/nqSK7bxE9N

From @FreshGriller
- Even though we may all be busy at times, it's nice to take a moment to step outside and notice just how beautiful nature can be

From @BG_garden
- I love bird watching in my garden! #CTWW #gardenchat

The #CTWW Gang are those folks who tweet our challenges using the hashtag #CTWW. If you're a Twitter member, I recommend following them ... they share great things. Let's meet them:

@71s9	@a_kiasi	@andreaptak
@apoenagi	@bethsegreen	@bg_garden
@bike2power	@catertomyman	@collegegogreen
@compingcrazzy	@crazykids6	@debsmikdav1
@eco_novice	@ecoexpert1	@freshcleanersaz
@freshgriller	@garry_rogers	@ginavalley
@givetreegifts	@greenglobaltrvl	@greenqueenofmod
@groovygreenlivi	@herbgir1972	@jadekerrion
@julienowell	@kaitlingarder	@laalicia
@ladyjcmuses	@leslieveg	@marjoriemcatee
@mizmeliz	@momfindsout	@nebulousmooch
@nicmanuel	@pberk	@realityarts
@shannongrissom	@spafloating	@superbsolutions
@susanheaney	@teco_batc	@theworld4realz
@thispeg	@treesgroup	@vanbordelon
@wencdj	@whopaysthepiper	@zenfarmz

My Final Thoughts:

There are so many benefits to spending time in nature. On a personal level, it helps us to relax and relieve the stress of our busy lives. On a global level, it gives us an appreciation for the world which we live in. We tend to protect what we love. And getting to know the world around us is one way to develop love.

Thanks, everyone! If you wrote an article, I Stumbled, Tweeted, Facebooked and posted it on Google +. You can help spread the "green" word by using the share features located below this post.

This Week's Challenge:

Outdoor meals usually mean
a lot of waste

During this time of year, many people enjoy picnics, outdoor parties, and camping trips. Unfortunately, those activities typically generate a lot of waste.

Plastic cups are convenient
but end up in landfills

While disposable items are convenient when we are away from home, they are a big problem for the environment!

Here's your challenge ...

This week, avoid the use of any single-use or disposable items. This includes paper towels, paper plates & cups, plastic utensils, plastic water bottles, aluminum cooking trays, etc. Instead, make the effort to use real plates, towels, etc. The idea is to eliminate waste.

OR ...

If you've already eliminated ALL single-use and disposable items, please reduce other waste. For example, plan meals this week so that no food is wasted. Before tossing an item out, try reusing it or offer it on Freecycle. The goal is to achieve zero waste this week.

SINCE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ZERO WASTE ...

Mrs. Green has revealed the theme of this year's National Zero Waste week 2014, which begins on September 1, 2014. Head over, check it out, and then join in the fun. Don't wait until September, though ... there will be tons of great zero waste tips and ideas between now and the actual event (some you might be able to use this week).

Are you up for reducing eliminating waste this week? I know that you are!


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<br /> <a href="http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com/p/change-world-wednesday-ctww.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="Change The World Wednesday on Reduce Footprints" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJS8XLt55nZPJjkT0QME1YmU2hvd_ASaJDg03fW0NoYBcclCzkgCSbU1czatVGm73bcO3ox4QNXH_JN-pTiGX0iJ3fLX4UMpDHjjmzI_1ftBLn84UNbotteiHJstShUzdjeQwh6xvdc2A/s220/CTWW1Graphic1.jpg"/></a><br />
Until next time ...

WE'RE CHANGING THE WORLD ... ONE CHALLENGE AT A TIME!

Review - Sustainable Disposable Products by Eco-Products

I don't like single-use, disposable products and avoid them. That said, I also know that there are times when a reusable product isn't realistic.

For example, hosting a party, picnic or dinner for a large organization or business would mean buying reusable plates, utensils, glasses, etc. That would be expensive and then there's the problem of washing and storing the items.

Reusable plates and glasses, which are usually breakable, are not safe for pool parties. Sure, one can buy plastic products but plastic has problems of it's own.

Let's say you're hosting a family wedding, anniversary celebration or retirement party. Again, it might not be practical to supply reusable items.

While I'd love to live in a world devoid of disposables, the fact is that our society regularly uses them. Unless you stay at home and never venture out into the public sphere, you've probably been given a disposable item ... straws, carry-out boxes, napkins, etc.

Yes we avoid them ... yes we encourage others to avoid them ... we even contact stores and restaurants asking them to discontinue their use. But maybe we're looking at this in the wrong way. Maybe we need to investigate a disposable product made from earth-friendly, safe and sustainable materials ... a product which, after serving its purpose, can be composted.

The folks at Eco-Products are doing exactly that. They offer cups, cutlery, containers, plates, etc., made from renewable sugarcane (the GreenStripe product line) and products made from post-consumer recycled content (the BlueStripe line). They also offer other services like waste diversion consulting where they help clients make their business or event more sustainable.

The GreenStripe products are made from renewable plant materials, not petroleum. They are compostable in commercial facilities ... it's not recommended that they be composted in backyard bins because personal compost piles cannot generate enough heat to efficiently breakdown these products.

Products in the BlueStripe line can be recycled in most communities, with the exception of the hot cups which aren't recyclable.

At this point you might be thinking that they are better than traditional disposable products but still ... not perfect. You're right and Eco-Products understands that. They are committed to continually searching for new ways to make both their business practices and products more planet-friendly. Visit their Impact Assessment Page to read about how their products impact the environment. If you're interested in how their business (headquartered in Boulder, Colorado) impacts the environment, you'll find that informatiion HERE.

So now that you know who they are and what they sell, let's talk about product quality.

I received a box of samples which included just about everything they make.

The plates and bowls are sturdy and come in sizes to meet every need. I loaded them up with raw vegetables, juicy fruits and even used one as a cutting board. These are not your average paper plates ... they held up well.

The cups and containers also performed well ... no leaks, comfortable to hold and they come in various sizes.

The cutlery is strong ... I was able to cut vegetables and fruits with the knives.

While I still encourage you to avoid single-use, disposable dinnerware and food containers, I believe that Eco-Products have a place in our world. If you are entertaining on a large scale, own a company or a restaurant, or require unbreakable, safe items, then these products might be for you. They are an earth-friendly option when "reusable" isn't appropriate.

Browse around the Eco-Products Store and let me know what you think.


I received samples from Eco-Products in order to write this review. I received no other compensation. All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone and reflect my honest opinion of the material reviewed.

Posted at Small Footprint Fridays

Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW)

Welcome to Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW)! If this is your first visit, please click HERE for information and a complete list of all the challenges we've taken on so far.

There's a lot of great information in this post and I encourage you to read through it ... however, if you don't have the time right now, you might find the following quick links helpful:

• The #CTWW Gang
• The Honor Society
• My Final Thoughts on Our Last Challenge
• This Week's Challenge

How did your Eco-friendly spring cleaning go last week? I made the switch to natural cleansers quite some time ago. My arsenal consists of vinegar, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and for polishing, olive oil with lemon juice. I also have some products from Etsy vendors which are basically combinations of these same ingredients with, perhaps, some essential oils tossed in to make them smell nice. Removing toxins from our life made a dramatic difference. In the past, cleaning meant headaches, nasal congestion and skin rashes ... a high price to pay for a clean home. Natural solutions have no adverse affects, they're inexpensive and they work. Good for me ... good for the planet. What could be better!

The Honor Society are those people who help us spread the "green" word by writing an article about our challenges and/or leaving pertinent comments. Here's what they had to say:

In "Change the World Wednesday – 10th", Argentum Vulgaris (AV) gives us an update on his meat-free week. What do you think ... did he succeed? I'm not telling! Check out the rest of the article for a clever way to use empty CD holders as well as AV's cleanser of choice. By the way, EcoCrap has an Apothecary page with do-it-yourself recipes. It's a great resource.

Lisa wrote a terrific article entitled "How Many CD’s Do you Own? – Change The World Wednesday". Did you know that DVDs are more earth-friendly than CDs? Lisa explains why. Be sure to read through the comments ... people shared some creative ways to use old discs. In "DIY Soap for the Dishawasher, The Dishes, and your Hands", Lisa tests a recipe. It seemed simple enough to make ... but did it work? You'll have to read the post to find out!

Thanks to Regina McDonald for the "front page" mention in the "The artists Daily". The paper includes several interesting articles and, a personal favorite, music videos.

Did you know that Mrs. Green is a published author? Oh yes ... her book, Self Sufficiency Household Cleaning is just a wealth of information. Read "How to have a green spring clean" for Mrs. Green's tips, ideas and recipes. If you'd like to download her book, you'll find information towards the end of the post.

Lois shared a complete list of cleaning solutions for every part of the home. I even found an idea for spot cleaning the carpet. In the beginning of the piece, Lois talks frankly about how she made the switch to natural cleansers. It's fascinating! Take a look at "Change The World Wednesday, Cleaning House"

Have you ever heard of an enzyme cleaner? Alicia is "brewing" her own. In her words, "We made it a goal several years ago to pretty much eliminate toxic chemicals from our home. We found that a majority of them were due to the awful cleaners we were using. Alan developed a wonderful household bar that we use for almost everything. I also use vinegar and soda. This past year I had been seeing a lot of blogs sharing a recipe for making your enzyme cleaner. I know from our research that enzymes are awesome at cleaning. I just got around to making this cleaner recently and it is AMAZING!! This cleaner consists of citrus peels, brown sugar and water. It needs to ferment for about three months and then it is ready to use. I had read that you could add a couple of teaspoons of yeast to it and it would be ready to use in about two weeks. That is what I did because I didn't want to wait the three months to try it. It really is awesome. The first place I used it was on the shower walls and floor. It cuts through soap scum easily. Next I am going to try it on some shirts that have some greasy stains on them. I am now making a huge container of this and letting it ferment for the three months. That way I can compare. Next I am going to make a dishwasher detergent. I think it is time to give it a try because it is the only household cleaning product that we buy. Everything else we make. If you have never made furniture polish it is so easy to make and works great. Our daughter made a paste of white vinegar and soda to clean the oven and I was so impressed. It is spotless without any harmful fumes. Trust me you will love getting rid of toxic chemicals from your home and it is so easy to do! I am so excited for everybody to give this challenge a try!!"

AspenClean shares green cleaning tips on their BLOG and on their PINTEREST PAGE. Have you ever used Cream of Tartar to clean? How about lemons to remove stains? These are just a couple of the great tips you'll find. For those who aren't interested in making their own products, check out AspenClean's Natural Cleaners (you can order them online).

Ann stopped by. She says, "I don't have CDs or DVD, the TV and computer are my source of entertainment."

Lady JC makes her own cleaning solutions. She shares, "Vinegar is a cleaning miracle! I've been making citrus cleaner by soaking orange peels in white vinegar. I let them soak in a large mason jar for around 5 weeks then fill spray bottles halfway with the solution and top up with water, shake and spray. It cuts through greasy messes in a jiffy. I also use plain white vinegar to clean mirrors, and mix vinegar with baking soda, castile soap and a few drops of essential oil (tea tree and lemon are great!) then sprinkle it in the shower to scrub the tile and tub." In "Homemade Hand Soap" she shares her recipe ... easy to make and cost effective ... perfect. By the way ... JC has a question, "If anyone knows a recipe for a cream bleach alternative specifically to clean those difficult stains on white ceramic kitchen sinks, I'd really appreciate it." Ideas?

Our Twitter friends joined the conversation ... here's what they had to say:

From @givetreegifts
- Hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle is handy for treating cutting boards. Follow w/ spritz of vinegar & let sit for 10 min then wash
- Don't go farther than the pantry for fabric softener. Use vinegar in the fabric softener receptacle of washer - softens & freshens
- I'm told citrus peels work wonders for clearing out garbage disposal. They're natural fragrance & the oils in the peel freshen & clean

From @laalicia
- <3 RT @ecokarenlee: How simple is this? 5 frugal ways to go natural. Thanks +The Soft Landing for the tips! http://ow.ly/k8aF4

From @dusdifissette
- Challenge Accepted! Bought #Italsteam Steamer that doesn't need distilled H20 & switching to #EccoFriendly detergent.

From @rulesofgreen
- just learned how to clean my cermic stove in an eco-friendly way: http://greenliving.nationalgeographic.com/ecofriendly-ways-clean-ceramic-stove-tops-20102.html

The #CTWW Gang are those folks who share our challenges on twitter using the hashtag #CTWW. If you're a Twitter member, I highly recommend following them ... they have a lot of great things to say. Let's meet them:

@89linz	@_zandraaaa	@a_kiasi
@allnaturalkatie	@amotherlife	@anitaadamsnc
@anktangle	@aspenclean	@badgerdesigns
@beatepdx	@beckymcneer	@biggreenpen
@bstoneblog	@campaignerkaye	@chewyleecious
@chrysalisdesign	@cleansediva	@clubcontent
@conservationm	@counselorholley	@crazedkitchen
@crazy4grnlivn	@crazykids6	@dusdifissette
@earthyurban	@ecoexpert1	@eddiegear
@frederickbrooke	@ginavalley	@givetreegifts
@greeneral	@groovygreenlivi	@intricateknot1
@irishcarter1	@ithoughtiknewma	@jadekerrion
@jaemacjustsayin	@jenniharris4	@jnjgogreen
@laalicia	@ladyjcmuses	@lavishandlime
@littlegreenblog	@lorcadamon	@marjoriemcatee
@mcmillendc	@millarjohn	@mom2tle
@mombloggerplr	@momgamerwriter	@motherhoodlooms
@mrsgreensworld	@ntiveheart	@oneadayart
@pinkladyapril	@rachelwild	@rckweddings
@realityarts	@rewildbritain	@rulesofgreen
@ruralmoms	@squishablebaby	@thefadderly
@theworld4realz	@timsimms	@treehugga
@treesgroup	@tristinandtyler	@truenatureed
@tsue1136	@twicecreations	@wencdj
@whopaysthepiper	@whywelovegreen	@woodlandtrust
@zenfarmz

My Final Thoughts:

Commercial cleansers are convenient and they work. But using them comes at a high cost. In addition to being more expensive than home-made solutions, they are toxic to the environment and harmful to all living things ... including us. We wouldn't dream of asking our loved ones to breathe in dangerous fumes ... and yet, that's exactly what's happening when we use chemicals in our homes. Eco-friendly options, especially those we make ourselves, are inexpensive, effective and harmless. The choice seems clear.

Thanks, everyone! If you wrote an article, I have Stumbled, Tweeted, Facebooked and posted it on Google +. You can help spread the "green" word by using the share feature at the bottom of this post.

This Week's Challenge:

Have you ever noticed how some good habits slide a bit with time? Maybe we let the water run a bit longer or take a few extra squares of toilet paper. So, let's revisit one of the "basics". Here you go ...

This week (yes, one whole week) banish paper towels/napkins from your life. This includes paper towels in public restrooms and disposable napkins in restaurants.

OR ...

Never use them? Great, please share your tips & tricks for getting along without them.

Are you with me? I know that you are!

WE'RE CHANGING THE WORLD ... ONE CHALLENGE AT A TIME!

What is happening ... by Argentum Vulgaris

One of the very first people to follow Reduce Footprints was my "bloggy" friend Argentum Vulgaris of Tomus Arcanum. Many of you know AV ... he is a generous blogger who seems to always have time to reply to comments and promote other blogs. He's a frequent visitor here and typically leaves thought-provoking remarks on the "subject du jour".

If you've never been to Tomus Arcanum (or the nine other blogs AV owns), you're missing out. When you arrive at his blog, the first thing you'll notice are these fun little figures that pop up on the screen. As the page loads, you'll find gadgets of every kind ... all interesting and fun to browse. Finally, you'll see the day's post. Here's where it gets real interesting ... his posts range from the beautiful ... to the funny ... to the shocking ... and sometimes to the disturbing, like when he talked about child brides in Yemen or about the slaughter of whales in Japan. He pulls no punches and tells it like he sees it. He is one of the most honest and direct bloggers you'll ever find. That being said ... there's one other thing that is absolutely true ... you'll always be entertained at his site.

AV has graciously agreed to write for us today. So ... sit back ... relax ... and enjoy:



I have been invited as a guest blogger, my immediate reaction was “great!”, but then the sobering thought, what’s a guest blogger arose.

Well, I soon discovered that a guest blogger is one elected who does a lot of work in a short space of time, considered a labour of love, and I am honoured to be considered worthy of performing such a task.

I have burbled for sometime about environmental issues on my various blogs. Ranted about how we, as a race, don’t care for our backyards and continue not to care ignoring all that is before us, telling us in no uncertain terms that we should be caring; and caring a lot. I am not the greatest environmentalist, rather just a man who has lived 57 years, I do a small bit in my own way at home; one to reduce costs and two, make use of things that I have already used. In the case of one, I am a spendthrift, I hate being conned out of one cent change and demand the letter of the law, then give me five cents; and in the case of two, I can’t see the use of buying tupperware when I have perfectly good margarine containers and jam jars to use; and as for buying dirt to go in my pot plants, I compost and make my own. So it all goes back to number one really, money!

Hence, I read Small Footprints, indeed, I even go back and re-read some parts. It is people like Small Footprints, who will eventually be the saviours of the planet; not individually (SF put your Spider Woman suit away – you’re not a super heroine yet), but you and those like you are all super people. I find some of the issues tackled by SF to be somewhat sobering, things we take for granted, things we throw away (and millions of others throw away too) that make it a problem a million times bigger than if it were just me.

Small footprints has given me the chance to write as a guest blogger, I am honoured that my past ranting has been read by at least one other person apart from myself. Thank you SF, so less ado and more do.


What is happening?

We are literally pissing on the planet and we have to stop!

Our planet, the little mudball we call home, is becoming untenable. We, us humans, have already used, destroyed and polluted most of it, the land, oceans, rivers and air; and we are not satisfied, now (and have been for years) we are even polluting space.

It has been common knowledge for years that we are damaging the place. If we were tennants in a building and treated it this way we would have been evicted years ago. Our God is a very tolerant landlord.

The story starts at the beginning. It is evident from paeleontological sites that early man was not a tidy beast, and we have continued to soil our environment ever since with due disregard for nature.


The major change came with the industrial revolution. The introduction of steam, to produce steam you burnt coal, burning coal produces smoke, a lot of smoke and a lot of waste. Money was the driving force, capitalism advanced shame-facedly, to the point where we are today. No heed was given to the tons of pollutants that we threw into the air at this time.


So with all that untidy history we have become a devil-may-care “throw-away” society. We use, we throw away and all this throwing-away accumulates. Not only accumulates, but accumulates exponentially, remember, with each passing year the Earth’s population increases, each year there are more people to throw stuff away. We are turning the Earth into a giant garbage dump. We are fast running out of space.

It doesn’t matter if we are talking plastic bags, disposable razors or toothbrushes (all of which SF has alluded to in past posts), we are throwing more and more stuff away. We have to seriously STOP and take stock of ourselves. It doesn’t matter if I am talking to you, your family, your community, suburb, city, country, or some giant global conglomerate. We have to STOP; and unless we do, we’ll be living in that garbage dump, and living in it very soon; perhaps within some of your lifetimes.

Everybody can start and contribute, yes, even YOU! We must start at the bottom, the top will always ignore the problem as long as money is involved. Education must start at home and the schools, for it is the new generation that will take the issue to the top. Only then will we begin to see the huge corporations sit up and take notice and we will see governments begin to accept their responsibilities, responsibilities shirked for so long.



Each of us must take time out and sit on the beach of life and look at the world and wonder. We had a beautiful planet, we can have that again, but it won’t happen by magic, it won’t happen by leaving it to the other person. We all need to take a personal responsibility, be we are all the owners of this world.

Would you let your child throw chicken bones on the lounge floor?

Because that’s what we are doing to the planet!


I'd like to give a big THANK YOU to AV for that wonderful post. And ... I'd like to suggest that each of you hop over to his site(s) and browse around.

As always ... I would love to hear from you!

15 "Green" Tips, Hints and Interesting Facts

Here are some miscellaneous "green" tips, hints and interesting facts:

1. According to the The Auto Channel, 147 million gallons of gas, each year, vaporize into the air due to loose, damaged or missing gas caps. Keep your fuel in the tank by making sure you screw the cap on tight.

2. It's time to get out those cosmetics and personal care products such as deodorants, shampoos, toothpastes and mouthwashes and check the labels. 1,4-Dioxane is a known eye and respiratory tract irritant. It is suspected of causing damage to the central nervous system, liver and kidneys. The State of California, under proposition 65, listed 1,4-Dioxane as a chemical known to cause cancer on January 1, 1988. Like many solvents, it forms contamination plumes in groundwater when released to the environment. Groundwater supplies have been adversely impacted in several areas. But you won't find 1,4-Dioxane on the label ... instead look for names that include: myreth, oleth, laureth, ceteareth (and any other "eth"), PEG, polyethylene, polyoxyethylene or oxynol.

3. Here's another good reason to look for products made out of recycled materials. According to the executive director of the Zero Waste Alliance, recycling aluminum uses 95% less energy than producing it from scratch. Recycling glass uses 31% less; newsprint, 45%; steel, 61%; and plastics, 57-71%.

4. Thinking of a new TV? Those with the Energy Star label are up to 30% more energy efficient than others.

5. Do you use flea collars on your pets? According to Pets for the Environment, they are a "source of constant toxic exposure for your pet and family. Instead, vacuum often and thoroughly, bathe your pet regularly, and ask your vet or local pet store about safer flea treatments and repellents." For more great Eco-friendly pet care tips, click HERE.

6. Pat yourselves on the back. Accordingly to a 16-month survey conducted in 2007 by the research firm Mintel, 36% of adults regularly buy green products. That's an improvement of 12% over previous studies.

7. Want to persuade your boss and co-workers to green up the office? Check out Ideal Bite's Top 10 Easiest Ways to Green your Office. They have a great list which can be printed out (on recycled paper, of course) and posted for all to see ... and hopefully act on.

8. Here's a great idea ... help our bird friends stay warm all winter. Instead of tossing out dryer lint, put it in your yard. Birds will collect it and use it to cozy up their nests.

9. Want to have a little fun? Host a green-cleaning party. Women's Voices for the Earth conceived the idea ... basically, people get together with glass jars and Eco-friendly ingredients and then ... they mix up everything from laundry detergent to furniture polish ... all environmentally safe. Check out their site womenandenvironment.org for information and party kits (which are for sale) ... or ... click HERE for their favorite recipes and design your own party.

10. Got the sniffles? Instead of using disposable tissues ... use a handkerchief.

11. According to the EPA, Americans toss out 2 million tons of "e-waste" each year. That includes approximately 130,000 computers. Instead of sending them to a landfill, consider these ideas:

• Donate computers and any peripherals to a nonprofit organization. Many will refurbish them for disadvantaged or disabled people.
• Check with stores like Staples for recycling programs ... some offer credit towards another purchase.
• Check with manufacturers ... some, like Dell and Apple, recycle their own brands for free. Others will take any brand when one of their own is purchased.
• Another idea ... turn them in to a local Computer Recycling shop where usable components will be turned into new products.

12. Each year, the average American throws away 68 pounds of clothing (from Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association). Think reduce, reuse and recycle instead.

13. Replace one outside incandescent light ... yearly CO2 savings: 210 pounds. Lower your water heater temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit ... yearly CO2 savings: 214 pounds. Wash clothes in cold water ... yearly CO2 savings: 327 pounds. Source: Rocky Mountain Institute.

14. Interested in watching a short "green film"? Click HERE to watch dozens of them ... for free.

15. Here's a unique recycling idea ... put your used green tea bags in a glass jar in the refrigerator. Use them as cleansing pads in the morning. The bag helps exfoliate skin gently and tea has anti-inflammatory properties which will help to reduce puffy skin on the face.

As always ... I would love to hear from you!

Comfort, Convenience and Disposable Items

It has gotten chilly in North Carolina. When I step outside, no matter what time of day or night, I hear heat pumps running. In the summer, it was air conditioning units ... running all the time. It occurred to me that we are a society which loves comfort, convenience and disposable items. Unfortunately, the quest for those things hurts the earth.

Let's consider ...

Comfort - did you know that one of the largest drains of energy in a home is the home heating/cooling system? When we set the thermostat for optimal comfort, we also use a lot of energy. In times past (some call them the good old days), people dressed warmer in the winter and opened windows in the summer. They didn't use central heating or air conditioning. We can take a lesson from the "good old days" and use less energy. "Progress" may offer us absolute comfort ... but it's also hurting the planet.

Convenience - no one would deny that convenience items (fast food, prepackaged meals, etc.) are bad for the environment. What about activities? Activities like driving to the mailbox instead of walking ... or tossing paper into the trash can instead of recycling. These activities may be convenient ... but they aren't kind to the earth.

Disposable Items - this one is easy. Basically, anything which is disposable is probably not environmentally friendly. Here are a few examples: plastic utensils, paper towels, disposable razors, pretreated disposable cleaning cloths.

Not everything that falls into these three categories is bad for the environment. But they serve as indicators to help us live "greener". When considering a purchase or an activity, ask yourself these questions:

1. Does it make us comfortable?
2. Is it a convenience?
3. Is it disposable?

Answering yes to any of these doesn't mean that one shouldn't act ... more, it is a signal that perhaps we need to dig a little deeper and consider whether there is a better choice ... one which helps us reduce our footprint on the earth.

As always ... I would love to hear from you.