Going green can be a creative undertaking with family and friends. Inspire each other to create new ways to simplify and green-up a life worth protecting.
Haven't we grown weary of the words, green and recycle? Is it because we doubt our efforts will make even the slightest difference in the long run? Shall we look at this challenge from another angle? We already recycle paper, plastics and glass, we turn off lights when leaving the room, we use green cleansers and cloth shopping bags. So what else can we do, and what's fun about it?
Making Something New Out of Something Old
Ignite a chain reaction within your family or group of friends and watch your environmental footprint begin to fade. Where does one start? You could ask yourself this question; what can I re-purpose to benefit someone? Try something new and start with something old!
Wrapping paper created from the Sunday comics is always an eco-friendly choice.
Take old paperbacks to the local consignment book store to redeem new books with store credit.
Go online to Freecycle's website and swap unwanted items. What used to be thrift store cheap is now thrift store chic!
Take vintage dishtowels (you know you'll never use them) and turn them into kitchen curtains with a kitschy flavor.
Clean out closets and save old gowns, high heels, hats and capes for your children's dress-up box, perfect for indoor play dates.
Tee shirts and teens are inseparable. Take old tees with cool graphic designs and turn them into easy-to-sew throw pillows. Stuff them with plastic bags.
Challenge your Family with Recycling Competitions
Come up with new ideas, you'll inspire each other to make going green a way of life. Start training your children early by your good examples.
Hold in-family competitions for the best homegrown spinach, lettuce, cukes or tomatoes to spice up your salads.
Add used coffee grounds to naturally fertilize acid-loving plants like azaleas, rhododendrons and blueberries.
If you can't plant a tree, then at least purify your indoor air with live plants instead of artificial air fresheners. Good ones to grow indoors include Boston ferns, philodendrons, corn plants, rubber plants and ivy.
For weed control, try a chemical-free hot water or lemon juice spritz.
If ladybugs are visiting your yard, let them eat free...they control the aphids!
Take a Stand Against Harmful Chemicals and Waste
Add a little creativity to make the changes fun and please let me know what your family is doing to participate in the greenovation of America!
The copyright of the article Creative Recycling in Green/Simple Living is owned by Vicki F. Chavis. Permission to republish Creative Recycling in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
This writers bio and flare says it all! From all the countless article on
"going green" Vicki Chavis has inspired some useful and convenient suggestions. I have already instituted a few. Thanks!
Apr 28, 2008 6:17 PM
Guest :
Great article on creative ways of going green. My husband and I used to
buy the 24 pack of water bottles and go through them in a few days. While
we are consistent about recycling, we decided to nip it in the bud and
simply stopped purchasing them. We now use a home filtration system and
bought sporty water bottles for our workouts.
Apr 29, 2008 6:32 AM
Karen Little :
Great article! My husband does a lot of ebay shipping and he uses all those
leftover plastic bags that can't be recycled for shipping material.
Another use for your old prom dresses, etc. would be your local middle
school or high school for use in their theater productions. I added you to
my home page as I look forward to reading more great articles.
Apr 29, 2008 7:39 AM
Guest :
Caren Hunter
Very Interesting. I have been growing my own
pineapples for years, i first bought a small plant with one pineapple and
then I cut the green top off that pineapple and planted it, within a year i
had another delicious pineapple, it just keeps recycling. Should have been
a pineapple farmer, LOL. I am also trying to go totally digital with my
work by emailing my proposals or posting the info on my website and
referring people there, no more paper, yipee.
Apr 29, 2008 7:39 AM
Guest :
Caren Hunter
Very Interesting. I have been growing my own
pineapples for years, i first bought a small plant with one pineapple and
then I cut the green top off that pineapple and planted it, within a year i
had another delicious pineapple, it just keeps recycling. Should have been
a pineapple farmer, LOL. I am also trying to go totally digital with my
work by emailing my proposals or posting the info on my website and
referring people there, no more paper, yipee.
Apr 29, 2008 8:29 PM
Guest :
Great article. I enjoy the author's perception and freshness.
Apr 30, 2008 1:35 PM
Guest :
Some great ideas Vicki. Tell me which of those you have incorporated into
your life. I have stopped using paper cups and plates(following the
example of my dear late sister)- too many trees/too much trash. Loved the
pineapple story from Caren. Will try it as two juicy pineapples just
arrived on my doorstep from Harry & David . . .
Mari
May 3, 2008 6:30 AM
Guest :
I enjoyed the great ideas employed by the author. I just bought a cilantro
and basil plant at the grocery store. I hope to not kill them and be able
to enjoy the weekly harvest in fresh salsa and spaghetti sauce. It beats
buying the fresh herbs in plastic containers weekly. I'm saving money and
the environment! Hooray! Wendy
