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Start Easy, Go Greener








* The labels "Green, Greener, Greenest" indicate the relative "greenness" of the individual

tip - not the level of greenness of the person trying the tip.  Have a different idea of what's

Green, Greener, Greenest?  Share it in the Discussion Forum.  


CONSERVING WATER 

  1.  
       Put a plastic water bottle in your toilet tank (not a brick)
  2.  
       Better get a bucket!  Uh, we mean catch water in a bucket & reuse
  3.  
       Install a greywater recycling system for your home


  1. BOOKS & VIDEO 

  2.  
       Buy used when possible, preferably from a local book store
  3.  
       Borrow from the library, a friend or another GreenMom!
  4.  
       Buy electronic versions of books & video downloads


CLEANING SUPPLIES

  1.  
       Buy less-toxic, natural cleaners (bulk is best) or a Do-it-Yourself kit
  2.  
       Make your own cleaners from vinegar, etc.
  3.  
       Don’t clean anything (we’re kidding! sort of)


REDUCING MEAT-BASED DIET IMPACT

  
   Eat one less meat-based meal per week
  
  Eat only locally produced, organically raised meat
  
  Go (all or mostly) vegetarian or vegan


GIFT WRAPPING

  
   Reuse paper wrapping
  
   Try reusable paper gift bags
  
   Use reusable (& washable!) fabric gift bags


FAMILY GIFT GIVING

  
   Ask adults to bring only 1 gift per child
  
   Select only one name from a hat; give homemade gifts
  
   Give the gift of time & love, or to charitable organizations


CHRISTMAS TREES

  
   Purchase from local growers
  
   Replant a living tree in a large pot & reuse for several years
  
   Decorate a houseplant or tree on your property


BABY BOTTLES

  
   #3-based plastic bottles should not be used - they’re PVC (“Beware of Baby Bottles” video)
  
   #5-based plastic bottles are next safest after glass bottles
  
   Glass baby bottles with silicone nipples are safest


ON-THE-GO DRINKING WATER

  
   Buy most local source for bottled water (better than out-of-area imports), recycle the bottle
  
   Any type of reusable bottle (assuming it’s safe)
  
   Stainless steel (non-plastic) bottle filled with water from a home filtration system


PRINTING & PHOTO-COPYING (especially at an office)

  
   Use recycled printer/copier paper.  Use backside of barely used sheets
  
   Print 2 pages per sheet (grab your reading glasses if necessary)
  
   Print 2 pages per sheet & copy back to back (or print back to back if your printer is able)


TOYS

  
   Stop buying plastic toys.  Buy natural toys made from wood, cotton or wool
  
   Purchase eco-friendly toys:  organic fabrics, sustainably grown wood or recycled materials
  
   Use recycled toys from family & friends or found at thrift shops and garage sales


DIAPERS

  
   Use non-bleached paper diapers
  
   Use cloth diapers (if you like, try an earth-friendly diaper service) or biodegradable diapers
  
   Try "elimination communication":  a diaperless approach to babies' elimination needs


FOOD

  
   Buy the 12 most highly sprayed foods from an organic source instead of a conventional source
  
   Buy everything organic, local, and fair trade when available
  
   Grow your own food, then supplement with organic, local, & fair trade when necessary


SOAPS

  
   Throw out any Anti-bacterial Soap you have in your house. (Do not send down the drain!)
  
   Use only eco-friendly labeled soaps that are biodegradable
  
   Buy organic, concentrated, liquid, biodegradable soap in bulk for all sinks & showers


BODY CARE PRODUCTS

  
   Buy new products at natural food type stores; not conventional grocery stores or salons
  
   Switch to products that are plant based only & offer some organic ingredients
  
   Switch to top rated products from EWG skin deep data base, or OCA


LAUNDRY SOAP

  
   Switch to eco-friendly laundry soap
  
   Switch to chemical free laundry soap: Soap Nuts
  
   Don't wash your clothes (just kidding)


CLOTHING

  
   Gradually seek out sustainable clothing to replace conventional clothing purchases
  
   Buy only organic cotton, hemp, sustainably made, & fair trade clothing
  
   Don't buy new clothes; buy clothes at thrift stores & repair old clothing


TRANSPORTATION

  
   Drive less (goal: don't drive 1x a week); walk, bike, carpool, take public transportation
  
   Drive fuel efficient cars: hybrid or alternative fuel car (Straight Veggie Oil - SVO, biodiesel)
  
   Don't drive at all (ha!): walk, bike, carpool, or take public transportation instead


FEMININE HYGIENE

  
   Use 100% organic cotton pads & tampons
  
   Use cloth pads only... which are re-useable & washable
  
   The extreme green challenge!  Use the Diva Cup
 
  Green
  Greener
  Greenest! 
 

Feeling overwhelmed & don’t know where to start? Pick an area to change & start with the green level with which you’re most comfortable.  Click on colored text for more info, ideas & products.  If you make just one change in any shade, it will help.

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