Thinking back on 2009 I had several things I wanted to change, did change and will continue to work on in 2010. When I think about all the small changes I made last year I realize that they really do add up.
I started using a Brita water pitcher to filter my water to cut back on my bottled water usage at the end of 2008. I purchased a couple of BPA free bottles from the Filter for Good website in 2009 and have been using those to take filtered water with me to work and when on the go. (I also received a snazzy new Camelbak bottle at Christmas too!) Thanks to those small changes I completely stopped purchasing bottled water in 2009.
I started using a Laptop Lunchbox to take my lunches to work. I LOVE my lunchbox and have drastically cut back on waste by using the laptop lunchbox. I even pack my own cloth napkin so I have absolutely no garbage at the end of lunch each day. I had the opportunity to purchase a laptop lunch box for a co-worker as well during an office gift exchange so the waste-free lunches keep growing!
I also found another product, Posh Pouches, to replace my use of plastic baggies for those days I wanted to have a snack in my purse. These reusable fabric bags are wonderful and I have really enjoyed using them. I was using way too many plastic baggies before I found these. I use them at home to package items after they are opened in my fridge, for snack items, for personal items - I have them in all sizes and they are great for anything.
I continued to use my reusable canvas shopping bags when I go to the grocery store. I started this back in 2008 but became much more consistent last year when I finally got a good system going. I use the bags now for any other store I go into when I know I am going to make a purchase, not just groceries.
I took a ceramic mug to work to drink tea from instead of using the styrofoam cups that are provided. For my weekly Starbucks trips I started using a reusable tumbler as well . I received a new personalized tumbler for Christmas too. :)
I started to purchase organic foods and attempted to grow a few veggies of my own. Although the organic foods are more expensive there are items that can be purchased in bulk and I like to think I am worth the investment. I haven't convinced myself to purchase everything organic yet because there are times where I am staring at eggs on sale for $0.99 compared to the organic version for $3.99. However, I am trying to make use of the local farmer's markets for better pricing as well.
I am a total "product junkie" and for those of you who don't know what "product" refers to, for me that would be skincare items, mainly. I love face washes, exfoliants, peels, moisturizers, creams, serums, masks - you name it - I probably have it. I wanted to start using products that have less harmful chemicals in them. This area has been difficult to change! I would like products with less chemicals but I still want products that work. I had a few interesting experiences to say the least (um, Tom's Deodorant) which will require their own post.
I started to use Marcal's recycled paper towels and toilet paper (which can be bought in bulk at Costco). At first I thought this would be an annoying "sacrifice" since they are a long way from my Viva paper towels and three-ply Quilted Northern toilet paper I was using. I am happy to report that this switch will be permanent.
To improve on energy costs, I switched my electric company to Green Mountain Energy who uses renewable energy. Great for the environment and so far great on my bills as well. All of the light bulbs in my house were switched out in 2009 to the more energy efficient compact flourecent light bulbs. I started to unplug appliances, hair dryers, etc. when not in use. I make sure the water is turned off while I am brushing my teeth, I take showers instead of baths , use cold water to wash clothes and have been washing more dishes by hand and only running the dishwasher when we have a full load.
None of these items may seem like a huge change by themselves but when I think back about all of them together 2009 seems like a pretty successful year. I plan on continuing all of these changes and tackling a few more in 2010.
Happy New Year!!!
I started using a Brita water pitcher to filter my water to cut back on my bottled water usage at the end of 2008. I purchased a couple of BPA free bottles from the Filter for Good website in 2009 and have been using those to take filtered water with me to work and when on the go. (I also received a snazzy new Camelbak bottle at Christmas too!) Thanks to those small changes I completely stopped purchasing bottled water in 2009.
I started using a Laptop Lunchbox to take my lunches to work. I LOVE my lunchbox and have drastically cut back on waste by using the laptop lunchbox. I even pack my own cloth napkin so I have absolutely no garbage at the end of lunch each day. I had the opportunity to purchase a laptop lunch box for a co-worker as well during an office gift exchange so the waste-free lunches keep growing!
I also found another product, Posh Pouches, to replace my use of plastic baggies for those days I wanted to have a snack in my purse. These reusable fabric bags are wonderful and I have really enjoyed using them. I was using way too many plastic baggies before I found these. I use them at home to package items after they are opened in my fridge, for snack items, for personal items - I have them in all sizes and they are great for anything.
I continued to use my reusable canvas shopping bags when I go to the grocery store. I started this back in 2008 but became much more consistent last year when I finally got a good system going. I use the bags now for any other store I go into when I know I am going to make a purchase, not just groceries.
I took a ceramic mug to work to drink tea from instead of using the styrofoam cups that are provided. For my weekly Starbucks trips I started using a reusable tumbler as well . I received a new personalized tumbler for Christmas too. :)
I started to purchase organic foods and attempted to grow a few veggies of my own. Although the organic foods are more expensive there are items that can be purchased in bulk and I like to think I am worth the investment. I haven't convinced myself to purchase everything organic yet because there are times where I am staring at eggs on sale for $0.99 compared to the organic version for $3.99. However, I am trying to make use of the local farmer's markets for better pricing as well.
I am a total "product junkie" and for those of you who don't know what "product" refers to, for me that would be skincare items, mainly. I love face washes, exfoliants, peels, moisturizers, creams, serums, masks - you name it - I probably have it. I wanted to start using products that have less harmful chemicals in them. This area has been difficult to change! I would like products with less chemicals but I still want products that work. I had a few interesting experiences to say the least (um, Tom's Deodorant) which will require their own post.
I started to use Marcal's recycled paper towels and toilet paper (which can be bought in bulk at Costco). At first I thought this would be an annoying "sacrifice" since they are a long way from my Viva paper towels and three-ply Quilted Northern toilet paper I was using. I am happy to report that this switch will be permanent.
To improve on energy costs, I switched my electric company to Green Mountain Energy who uses renewable energy. Great for the environment and so far great on my bills as well. All of the light bulbs in my house were switched out in 2009 to the more energy efficient compact flourecent light bulbs. I started to unplug appliances, hair dryers, etc. when not in use. I make sure the water is turned off while I am brushing my teeth, I take showers instead of baths , use cold water to wash clothes and have been washing more dishes by hand and only running the dishwasher when we have a full load.
None of these items may seem like a huge change by themselves but when I think back about all of them together 2009 seems like a pretty successful year. I plan on continuing all of these changes and tackling a few more in 2010.
Happy New Year!!!
