Yes,
I separate my recycling. Doesn’t it look pretty? When it’s time to take it out
to the bin, though, it all gets dumped in together. Why do I waste my time
separating it, then? I’ve already said…because it looks pretty and organized in
my kitchen. I recycle everything I possibly can, by the way. If it looks like
it could possibly go in the recycling, I put it in there. I can’t toss those
batteries, but collect them until they can be taken to the hazardous waste drop
off, along with the empty paint cans. Those CFL bulbs? They go with me to IKEA.
Did you know that you could recycle Brita filters as most Whole Foods? Yep, I
do that, too. I think I am an OCD recycler.
This
is just one of the strange, secretly hippie things that I do. My last foray
into blogging was centered around my discovering new green-ish, crunchy, hippie
things (um…go check it out- http://thegreentexan.blogspot.com).
I’ve
made a habit of using more reusable items and less throw-away stuff. I try not
to be one of those “I’m better than you because I use or do this” kind of
people who brags about what they do and then challenges your morals because you don't. I just try to do my part and hope there are others out there doing the
same.
Here
are a few examples of permanent changes I’ve made in my life:
Hankies-
I have several vintage hankies that I use when going out to nice places, but my
everyday hankies are very soft fleece cutouts. Rarely will you find a box of
tissues at my house, except when I know company will be coming. These fleece
hankies are so soft on my nose when I have a cold and easy on that sensitive
area under my eyes when I’ve been crying. Plus, I know I won’t blow a hole in
them when I blow my nose! I love them and couldn’t imagine not having them in
my house, purse, car, desk at school, yoga bag…you get the idea!
Real
cloth napkins- I have literally 100 cloth napkins. I use them for every meal,
even at school. There is just something special about using a cloth napkin
which forces you to slow down, relax, and enjoy your meal. I use 1 roll of
paper towels every month or so. I also keep that usage down by using cloth
kitchen towels. It just makes sense to me.
Reusable
kitchen items- I use lidded Pyrex instead of plastic ware. It’s better for
re-warming things, and you don’t have to worry about any plastic leaching into
your food! The downside…it hurts when someone misplaces my Pyrex and can be
expensive to replace! I do not drink plastic bottled water, but instead use aluminum
bottles and refill them. Also, I have several reusable baggies I use in place
of plastic baggies. It just makes more sense and you can clean them out!
Clothes
drying racks- I’ve gotten bad about not drying my clothes on the racks every
time, but I do pull them out quite a bit. I went almost two years exclusively
using drying racks. My mom and I bought a new washer and dryer together, though,
and my drying rack habit has gone by the wayside. It is awesome to put clothes
outside in the middle of summer and they’re dry before you even get the chance
to get the others washed! Just put the darker items in the shade so they don’t
bleach out.
Composting-
I compost everything that can be composted. I have a barrel composter and use
the “soil” it makes to do anything from filling in holes in my yard, enriching
the soil that is already there, and, sometimes, supplementing the organic soil
for my garden.
And
this is the point in the blog where it gets a little TMI…read at your own risk!
Reusable
toilet cloths- First reaction…gross! Yeah, I thought so, too, but I don’t use
them for everything! Well, not all of everything…not #2. I use toilet paper for
that! The big thing about using reusable toilet cloths is that you need to wash
them every week. Drink lots of water so you don’t have a bad smell. In reality,
it’s not any worse than washing your panties, so don’t get them all in a twist
over this! I made my own (actually, my mom made them for me) out of thinner
fleece than the ones used for my hankies. There are certain times of the month
you wouldn’t want to use these. Ladies, we know when that is, and this is when
I use the TP!
Reusable
menstrual pads- yeah, if you thought the toilet cloths were gross, these can be
downright disgusting. I quit using disposables about 6 years ago and haven’t
really looked back. I don’t like the bleach used in most pads, or the diaper-like
feeling in wearing them. I do use bleach-free cotton tampons when necessary.
I’m tempted to try a Diva Cup (http://divacup.com/), since they do sell them
at Central Market, but I just haven’t needed it yet. There are many patterns
where you can make your own, but I get mine from www.lunapads.com. So, just how do I keep
these from totally getting the gag-reflex going? Well, I have to be on top of
washing them right away. I have a lidded bucket I keep in my bathroom, where I
place my reusable toilet cloths that the pads go into. My period is generally
only 3-4 days, so there aren’t many in there and they don’t sit long. As soon
as I’m done, the bucket gets filled with water, a scoop of oxy clean gets
dumped in, they soak a bit in the oxy clean, then dump, rinse, wring out, and
wash with the towels. That’s it. The best part…I always know I have them and
there are no emergency store runs!
So,
there you have it. These are the few things that I’ve continued to do over the
years. You wouldn’t think of it to look at me, but, yeah, I have the soul of a
Green Peace-lovin, tree-huggin hippie and I try to do my part in saving just a
bit of the planet that I can. I’m sure that there are many subconscious things
we all do to help Mother Earth, but it is so ingrained in us, that we don’t
even pay it attention anymore. I’m always on the lookout for something else to
add to my repertoire, so if you find something you think sounds cool, let me
know, okay?
Oh,
and I have one thing that I tried to change, but just couldn’t get used to-
reusable coffee filters. I have six of these just sitting in my cabinet. No
matter how clean I thought I got them, they just weren’t right and made the
coffee taste a little (actually, a lot) funky. I’ll use them in a pinch, but
for now, unbleached disposable or my French press is the way to go for me! Um…
don’t try them unless you can find a better way of getting them clean than
using boiling water and baking soda.