Privilege and Going Green...

Why is it so expensive to "go green"?  Cost doesn't just deter folks from getting involved in outdoor activities and adventures, but from going "green."  Let's face it, it's a privilege to be able to focus on earth-green instead of money-green.  Lots of my friends share articles all the time on things you can easily do, but they almost always cost $$ and sometimes a lot of it - everything from recyclable bamboo toilet paper and installing solar lights, to buying bulk at Whole Paycheck Foods (their food is amazing, just expensive for a lot of folks).  It's easy to say not to use one-off plastics when you don't live in Flint, MI and rely on bottled water.  Even the blue recycle bags required by many cities cost anywhere from .25 to .40 cents a bag.  It adds up, and quickly.  Luckily, though, there's lots of things you can do that will help the environment AND not cost you big bucks.  Check out some ideas below: 

- Cutting down on single use plastics:

• Eating Out: Avoid straws or purchase a metal straw at the dollar store
• Celebrations: Instead balloons, make a banner or pinwheel, and they can be reused
• Snag a travel mug - you can refill with water for free most places
• Buy concentrated dish soaps, clothes detergent, etc.  - same space, many more uses
• Reusable shopping bags - slowly back away from those plastic grocery bags, you can do it!

- At home:

• Avoid paper towels whenever possible and use dishtowels more often.  Go back to old-fashioned napkins to go with dinner. 
• Stop using cash - use a debit card or electronic payments 
• If you buy something that's disposable, think of how to reuse the packaging - like your bread bag, use it as a ziplock after the bread is gone.  Save pickle jars for nails, glasses, or to use to carry your lunch.  That orange and onion bag work great as scrubbers for dishes (thanks for the ideas Beth!).  
• Don't use pesticides - this is the easiest thing to go green.  Weeds are good for the environment and you don't screw the waterways. 
• Turn off lights in rooms you aren't using
• Switch to paperless billing and always ask for an emailed (instead of printed) receipt!
• Replace the weather stripping on your doors - it's a really easy project and will save you a ton on your heating/electric
• There's a lot of stuff you can easily (and inexpensively) make to replace stuff in your bathroom or kitchen that uses single-use plastics and/or harmful chemicals - Pinterest has all kinds of recipes for cleaners, sugar scrubs, soaps, bath oils, shave creams, etc.  If you get ingredients at an Aldi or dollar store, it ends up being cheaper, has less chemicals, and can be stored in reusable glass jars (handy use for pickle jars!!!)
• Appliances: wash laundry on cold and only when a full load, only run the dishwasher when full and don't pre-rinse unless you have to

- Out...or In...with the Old

• Fixing it: a lot of stuff we toss is easily fixable, but that isn't everyone's thing.  If it isn't and you are planning on tossing it (or even if you just don't want it anymore), pop it on to Craigslist or FB Marketplace for free or cheap.  Pass it on!
• Buying Secondhand: You can get lovely furniture, lamps, clothes, etc. at everything from Goodwill to Habitat For Humanity and/or consignment shops.  

• Gift Bags and Wrapping Paper - reuse bows, bags, etc. or get creative and use old newspapers or even comics for the wrapping paper, or even cloth!

Obviously, this list is FAR from exhaustive.  And it's never about doing it all, or doing it perfectly - it's about doing what you can, when you can.  If you can afford the big-ticket green items, go for it, if not, then implement what you're able to without breaking the bank.  Going greener doesn't have to be privilege, we just make it seem like that.

What are some ways you've implemented affordable "green" or "sustainable" changes in your life/home? 

​Comment below or contact me here!