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May
3
2008
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This was an excellent question posed to me from a customer. I’ve heard it in multiple forms in the store as well. If I want to go "Green" on a limited budget, where can I start to make the biggest impact?
I don’t think there is one answer to this, so I am opening it up to you all to add your opinions as well. Where did you think is a good place to start? When weighing options do you think light bulbs or water savers or recycling or whatever, makes a larger impact? This could be an interesting topic to throw around!
I don’t have an easy answer for this question. I think for me, a good way to start on a budget, is with a couple of things:
1) Water Conservation. This is an easy fix. Faucet aerators, low flow shower heads and toilet dams (which reduce your water usage) all are easy and relatively inexpensive ranging from $1.50-$10.00 a piece. This not only saves water, but also helps in your pocketbook by saving you money on your monthly bill.
Want to conserve even more water? Rain Barrels are a great way to conserve water in the garden. Collect your rain water off your house and water your lawn and garden, again, saving money on your water bill and it is healthier for your yard without the treated city water. Rain Barrels cost between $90-$200 depending on what you are looking for. There are also links online telling you how to make your own.
2) Recycling. If you don’t already have this in your daily routine, take it up! It’s so easy and makes a big difference. I can argue the side of the energy use it takes to recycle things, but over all, we have a limited amount of natural resources on this planet. Glass, aluminum, etc. should be recycled and reused. There’s no reason to let waste fill up a landfill while we ruin some of the last few beautiful, untouched places looking for more resources. If you live in the city or a community that does curbside recycling, it’s even easier. If not, the McIntire Recycling Center in town takes most recycling and is easy and convenient. On a budget, recycling is free! Divert your waste from the landfill.
If you recycle, also look to buy recycled. Everyday products from paper to plastics now have recycled content. Look to purchase goods with a higher recycled content to complete the cycle!
3) Energy Conservation. I’d love if everyone out there had energy efficient lighting and energy efficient appliances. These nowadays cost around the same as non-energy efficient, but if your not in the market, I don’t necessarily believe you should throw out something that works to go green. As appliances wear out, buy smarter. As for light bulbs, replace your incandescent bulbs with Compact Florescent (CFL) or even better with Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). These are a bit more expensive per bulb than an incandescent bulb, but they last longer and save you money over their lifetime. A smart purchase up front that saves you money over time!
Another big saver is really turning off your appliances and lights when they are not in use. Even when your computer or TV is powered off, if it is still plugged in, or the power strip is on, the appliances are still drawing "phantom power." To truly turn something off, unplug it from the wall or switch the energy strip off. Or invest in a "Smart Strip TM" which does this for you. Don’t leave things charging after they are fully charged. Unplug your cell phone and other chargers when not using them.
4) Compost. Instead of throwing your scraps down the garbage disposal for the waste plant to treat or in the garbage to be buried in the landfill, turn your garden and lawn scraps into compost. This then provides rich soil for your garden. Can’t afford a compost bin? (Bins can run from $80-$300 for large systems). Start a pile in your yard. Either build it with old wooden pallets or use chicken wire to enclose it. The piles in your yard work the same, but will take longer to break down. Live in an apartment? I’ve had several customers that have started an apartment complex community composting. Don’t have a garden to use your compost? Stop by the Blue Ridge Eco Shop, I have plenty of customers who would be willing to pick up the compost to use it!
5) Buy Smarter. You don’t need to go out and buy stuff just to be environmentally friendly. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Buy less and conserve more. As you run out of cleaning supplies, replace them with non-toxic cleaners which cost the same but typically last longer due to higher concentrations. If you buy drinks everyday at work, consider bringing your own container or even better, your own beverage in your own container from home. When picking up take out, bring a reusable dish or storage container rather than bringing home their plastic or foam disposable containers.
This is my easy start. You don’t need to buy solar panels or wind turbines to go Green. Although if you can afford it and are looking for alternative energy, they are wonderful options. What do you think? What do you do to give back to the earth? Even on a shoe-string budget!
*SPCA of Greater Charlottesville turns off their lights all day on Wednesdays to conserve money and energy. Don’t be surprised if you’re in the Blue Ridge Eco Shop and our lights are off too!
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May
20
2008
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While I was out sick last week, I was posed the question: With rising gas prices, and travel expenses, what kind of vacation can I take? Are there any Green vacations?
You all did a great job last time commenting, I am posing it to you, what is your favorite vacation? Or better yet, is there a green vacation? (Light on the environment and your wallet.)
Understanding every one’s tightening of the purse strings, I’m a small business owner for goodness sakes, vacationing this summer may seem daunting. I say, why not stay home? Why not see Charlottesville (or enter your city here) in a whole new light? Get the kids involved and plan a vacation away from working and just play! Tune up those bikes and get out and see the beautiful sites of your town. From hiking in the Blue Ridge mountains (okay, a little outside of Charlottesville), to touring the numerous parks and playgrounds, if you have kids, or wineries, if you don’t have kids, and seeing something that you might not normally see or do. Pack a picnic and make a day of it. The weather’s beautiful, the trees are lush, get out there and see and do something!
For me, a vacation doesn’t mean you need to leave your town or spend a lot of money. A vacation is a break from work, number one, and doing something I might not do on a daily basis or not have time to do normally. Visit a farmers market. If you’re like me and go to the Charlottesville City Market every Saturday, try going to a different one, Scottsville has a Saturday market and Forest Lakes will start their new Farmers Market on Tuesday afternoons from 4-7 p.m.
How about you? What green tips do you have for vacationing this summer?
