Going Green.
Did you ever collect cans when you were younger? Take them down the recycling facility and get 10 cents per pound. I used to do that with my dad and my brothers when I was younger. It would usually pay for our movies we’d rent at Blockbuster. Good times.
Today, with so many opportunities to recycle, and with such a growing need to help out our planet, I like to think that I continue the tradition started when I was younger.
Here are a few things I do to Go Green. Hope you can get a few ideas and put them into practice.
1. Use a water jug and dispenser instead of water bottles.
Not only does it severely reduce the amount of plastic bottles you throw away, but you save quite a bit of money. You can’t beat the $1.50 to refill a 5 gallon jug. Try getting a dispenser with both a cold and hot water dispenser. Perfect for a cold drink, or hot tea if you’re in the mood.
Check out www.target.com/waterjugs
2. Use Recycled Paper.
As a graphic designer, you go through a lot of prints and proofs. Every chance to use recycled paper helps. I tend to go through sketch pads pretty fast as well, so I’ve been buying pads made from recycled paper. Usually sold wherever art supplies are sold. They might be a dollar more expensive at most but for me it is worth it.
Check out www.canson.com
3. Buy Reusable Grocery Bags.
These are really starting to catch on at places like HEB, Wal-Mart, and Target. If you don’t like the ones they’ve got and are looking for something a bit more styling, check out Envirosax. They are leading the charge in trendy reusable shopping bags. Think of how many plastic grocery bags you go through everytime you buy groceries. If you can, simply store those away and use them for trash bags, your dog’s pooper scooper, or juggling practice.
4. Take a walk.
This of course depends on where you live, but if you can walk to your corner store, coffee shop, or nearest pub, why not. Cutting down on your car usage cuts down on fuel emissions and gets you out and about. There’s nothing more mind-clearing sometimes than a decent walk somewhere. Give it a go if you haven’t in a while. It might help.
5. Give Back.
If you’re like me, you’ve gone through mounds of stuff in your closets that you don’t wear anymore, don’t use anymore, or never knew you had. Take it down to your local salvation army or goodwill. Some of you might want something in return for your stuff. Understandable. Do the ebay thing and see if you can make $1.25 on that sweet Taking Back Sunday shirt you used to love. Or, knock it out in one trip, and give back.
————————————————————————————
For most, I think “Going Green” seems to be too much hassle and not enough return. For me, it’s all about incorporating little things here and there and before you know it, it’s part of your routine and you enjoy it. And sure, the dent you make on this planet may be minuscule. But as they all say, if we all do our small part, it really does become a worldwide effort.
I’m always looking for new and accessible ways for me to contribute. Do you have any suggestions for helping out our planet?
Do you do anything that I haven’t thought of?
Tags: envirosax, going green, Graphic Design, recycle, recycled sketch pads
You now have the available option with your electric companies to purchase green energy at a slightly higher rate (i.e. 15.9¢ per kWh rather than a rate of 15.5¢). Unfortunately my company doesn’t provide it at the moment, but it’d be a nice little upgrade. California is currently working with buoy-type devices that generate power from ocean waves… so we’re coming to a point here where we’re really starting have lots of available options for a greener environment.
My main concern on a daily basis is all the damn trash that accumulates… Everything we use has wrapping or something we need to dispose of when we’re done with it. Using non-disposable dinnerware, cups, etc. helps relieve a portion of the problem.
The shitty part about going green is that it involves work and not everyone is willing to pitch in, including myself at times. It’s people that throw wrappers and bottles out of their car on the highway that aggravate me the most. These are the people that really need some green education and perhaps a punch in the nose. I feel like I just opened up a can of worms that could sprawl off into many other discussions or debates, so I’ll stop here and say that I appreciate it when others do things to preserve and beautify our environment and thanks for helping and offering suggestions.
I think you’re absolutely right about the trash accumulation. I think I’ve decided to make this “Go Green” an on-going series. Look out for some designer Dinnerware links next time. Just kidding. But really. I’m not.
I think people sometimes just need to see someone else doing it to get it going themselves. People are very visual. So hopefully even just a blog post might motivate someone to stop using paper plates, or buy reusable grocery bags and jump on this bandwagon that’s more like a tank rolling into your town soon! And blowing up waste. ?
Or maybe it’s an Aptera. I kind of want one.
Я извиняюсь, но, по-моему, Вы ошибаетесь. Могу это доказать. Пишите мне в PM, поговорим….
Инженер конструктор It would usually pay for our movies we’d rent at Blockbuster. Good times.
Today, with so many opportunities to recycle, […….
Очень быстрый ответ :)…
необходимые транспортные документы Также мы застрахуем Ваш It would usually pay for our movies we’d rent at Blockbuster. Good times…
Замечательный топик…
Менеджер It would usually pay for our movies we’d rent at Blockbuster. Good times.
Today, with so many opportunities to recycle, […….
Buy:Synthroid.Accutane.Actos.Retin-A.Zyban.Zovirax.Mega Hoodia.Prednisolone.Petcam (Metacam) Oral Suspension.Human Growth Hormone.Valtrex.Lumigan.Prevacid.Arimidex.Nexium.100% Pure Okinawan Coral Calcium….