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Wednesday, September 17, 2008

simple ways to make a difference

support local farmers and designers
carry a reusable shopping tote
think before you print
forgo dry cleaning
pay bills online
get statements online
put back unused napkins, creamers, ketchups, sugar packets
use cloth napkins
get lucky: surround yourself with bamboo stalks
better yet, live in bamboo clothing
wash clothes in cold
carpool or bike
donate used books
host a clothing swap
buy a starter kit for change
shop secondhand stores
wrap gifts in magazine print
build with salvaged wood
lessen your meat consumption
simplify
choose sustainable products
take the stairs
try a "buy nothing" day or week
donate time or money to charity
make your own cleaning product (see hip tranquil chick p. 155)
adopt a farm animal
live your values
make scrap paper from used paper
mend your socks
cut up old tees or sweaters to make arm and leg warmers, headbands, or scarves
leave a legacy

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5 comments:

Blog said...

so inspiring! THANK YOU! :) xo

Joselle said...

These are some great tips. To that I would add, reuse office supplies. There are probably tons of folders and paper clips sitting unused in drawers or housing files that are no longer needed. These can be reused rather than thrown out or even recycled. Reusing is still better than recycling! How many offices waste money, gas, and resources ordering supplies that are sitting around unused and out of sight just because there isn't a box of paper clips handy. I found a ton of folders and clips in my office yesterday just from organizing files. A year ago, I would have just recycled and thrown them out.

In addition to lessening meat consumption, I encourage people to go vegan for one day, a week, then three weeks. By then, you just may be able to do it forever. Dairy and egg farms are just as bad, if not worse, for animals and the environment, than other animal agriculture farms. As a former cheeseaholic and lover of roast chicken, I can assure you that being vegan is not that hard, not at all. :)

tammyg said...

Great stuff! I love your lists -- always full of fantastic ideas.

@MuseKaren said...

Wow - what a great list. Thank you for sharing!

Sneaux said...

After reading this post, two of my friends got me one of the Starter Kits for Change for my birthday. It came in today's mail. It's wonderful! Thanks for the inspiration that brought them to the terrific lady who makes those!