Hi readers!
Thanks so much for sharing all your acts of green. Picking a winner was very hard (it looks like everyone makes such a great effort), but unfortunately I can only pick one. The winner of the GAIAM DVD Simple Steps to a Greener Home is: cassiej.
Here's her act of green: "Lately when my son and I are out for a walk, whether out to play or on the way home from the bus, we will pick up garbage. We bring a bag along and just pick up bits and pieces as we see them. When we get home we dispose of it properly, recycle it if we can, or into the bin."
I think it's great that cassiej gets her son involved in keeping things green. Congrats cassiej! Please let us know what you think of the DVD, and what great tips you get from it.
Here are some other ways our readers are greening their lives. I find each answer inspirational.
"My newest act of green is to buy all things made in Canada…instead of from overseas. Less transportation involved, easier to check-up on local companies way of doing things then it is far away companies. Products made in Canada using materials made in Canada is also good for our economy and supports our own talents." - bobbi
"If anyone is going to motivate me to commit one act of Green it’s George. Everyday I make an effort to take the plastic lid off my coffee cup. Throw the lid in the garbage and the cup in the recycling bin! The plastic lids “contaminate” and make batches of paper recycling impossible! It’s a simple thing I do everyday but I know it has an impact - especially when I make a show of it to try and get other people at the garbage to do the same!" - Spinbuddy
"My act of green is trying to use as much eco friendly products as possible." - KMatt
"Even though I rent and my landlord supplied a lawnmower, I have a very large yard (1/5 of an acre) and I didn’t like using a gas mower so I bought a rechargeable battery operated mower. Not only is it quiet but I like not adding to the pollution in my city." - Sheila
"Last year, I got rid of my car. I walk to work every day (it’s about 30 mins, and a great way to get in some physical activity), and I pack a lunch in reusable containers. I am really lucky to live near a place that is an almost-permanent farmers market. I can get fresh, local, seasonal foods all year round. As well, I have become a lot more conscious about recycling. I have even put a reminder not to print my emails unless needed at the bottom of my signature! It feels good to do all of that, plus, my co-workers and friends tell to follow suit since they feel guilty about not putting in a minimal effort themselves." - Nicole V
"My act of green is to also wash all my clothes in cold water. I live in a small town and only take my car when it is near 40 below, otherwise I walk my kids to school." - AndreaB
"I’ve started making an effort to seek out organic or bamboo clothing after reading about how many pesticides are used on conventional cotton and also that many clothes are treated with formaldehyde to prevent wrinkling. I feel better about what I’m putting on my body, and that it has a more positive environmental impact before it gets to me." - Kristi
"I got my drivers license when I was 16 years, bought a car (with my parents help) shortly after and have not gotten on a bus in almost 30 years. So when I told my family, in the fall, that I was going to start bussing it to work, they were a little surprised, and probably thought I would never make it. But, here I am, almost 6 months later, wondering why it took me so long to do this! I have also made a more conscience effort to buy local, either in food or other products as well. I am slowly trying to go more green, having lived in a “throw away” world, and hopefully I can pass this on to my kids, to save the earth for their kids…" - Vicki
"I compost! And I have the best garden in the neighborhood. We use all our old vegetable, fruit scraps and eggshells in our compost and also lint from the vacuum and dirt swept from the floor. We have two composters going all year around. I love the fertilizer and I am doing my part to cut down our family’s waste. we don’t use any chemicals on our lawn, except vinegar for stubborn weeds, so we also compost all our grass clippings and leaves. Its the way to go!" - lori3kids
"I do a lot of acts of green without even knowing it as it’s just a part of my daily life. I taught my kids to be gentle with the earth and it will be gentle back.
I have a compost at home and as an alternative to throwing out at work I’ve just purchased composting worms for the office. I think municipalities should make these worms available to those that live in apartments and to others that don’t have the space for an outdoor compost. I air dry my clothes, I wash in cold water, I walk to work most days, I buy “green” cleaning products for use in our office, I recycle everything I can. Luckily our municipality recycles plastic bags and such. I also bring my own bags to the store.
I also reuse anything I can. I grew up in the era that if you can fix it then fix it, don’t buy another. If you can’t fix it, what else can you do with the item. Can you make it into something that is useful? I’ve made some pretty cool things in my time.
I also am a member of “Freecycle”. Its a great way to find homes for things you can’t use or to find something you need as well.
I try to be green as much as possible and I hope that my small step will show others to follow that concept. thank you!" - outdoorsgirl
Thanks to everyone who shared their acts of green with us. Please continue to tell us how you go green.
