Happy Earth Day Everyone!

I am typically not a preacher of Earth Day. Just I have been thinking and noticing my own changes in my ways recently. It is just all these advertisments pushing towards saving our planet, and being eco friendly is really starting to get the best of me. I am not a tree hugging organic veggen hippie by any means, but I certainly know how to do my three R’s. Reducing, Reusing, and Recycling. I have been for years, ever since I was little I have had this all drilled into me.

Recently I have noticed the amount of plastic bags stashed away under my sink. I have now vowed to do something about it. Switch to reusable bags, or use no bags at all. There really has to be some way of reusing those bad boys, besides using them as garbage bags. Does anyone know of any creative ways to reuse them?

I try and only buy my food that is locally grown and raised. B.C. meat, local produce. Also keeping to sticking with local seasonal veggies and fruits. I would love to have my own vegetable garden, but my thumbs are not green enough to keep them living long enough. I wash all my clothing in cold water to cut down on energy, along with trying to line dry/hang dry most of my clothes. I participate in my cities blue box recycling program, even though there are lots of items that the city does not allow us to recycle. I collect my pop/liquor bottles until it is nearly overwhelming and return the empties so I can get a larger payout! I also turn my computer off every night, along with all of our lights, as well as turning down or off the heat.

As a women I have even switched over to a reusable method of feminine hygiene product. I use the DivaCup. What made me switch was the fact that over 14 billion pads, tampons and applicators are going into North American landfills every year. It’s a small but important way of taking personal responsibility for a massive environmental problem.

I can say I am guilty of driving to work when I could so easily walk or ride my bike. This is all going to change in the coming week. I have put air in my bike and it is all set and ready to go. If I rode I would get to work in the same amount of time as if I was to drive. Turns out there is basically a direct bike path that goes all the way to the school I work at from my home.