Like the average American, I have spent the better part of my life as a major consumer. A collector of "stuff", a committed "Big-Buyer" of paper towels, plates and Styrofoam bowls. I wash small loads of laundry, because I need one or two items right away. I run the water the whole time I brush my teeth... sometimes-even walk away from the sink to tend to my toddler. I run to the market three to four times a week, because I can't seem to find the time "plan" my family's meals for the week. We used to have every light on in the house, no matter what room we were actually in.
In my defense, I have always been a stickler for only using the light in the room(s) you are in. So I thank my family for my extra workout, running around the house flicking off the light switches. Lastly (so far), I used to receive all of our bills by mail. I paid with checks, which I had to have printed, mailed in an envelope, which needed to be stamped by the U.S. Postal Service (currently to the tune of about.42 cents per stamp). A work in progress, I have switched over (mostly) to online bill pay. Back in 2008, I did switch the light bulbs in our home to CFL's (Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs), rather than incandescent bulbs. CFL's use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs. CFL's last a lot longer than incandescent, and I have noticed a bit of a difference in our electricity bill. It's definitely, consistently lower.
As I grow older (and hopefully wiser), and watch my family grow, my eyes are opening to the waste that surrounds us. Waste that we contribute to each day. Not really even paying attention. We can only get away with the excuse that "we didn't know" for so long. Whether you believe that the sky is falling or not, is irrelevant.
These facts are clear:
o We only have so much land that can be "dumped" in.
o Some waste never decomposes.
o Some waste contaminates the soil, seeping into our drinking water.
o Some waste runs off of our lands, killing off oceanic eco-systems.
o The over-use of paper products is a partial cause of deforestation.
I could go on, and on, but I am still a bit at of a rookie at this. However, I am researching everyday on ways to reduce my family's carbon footprint. Over the next few months, I have committed to:
o Eliminating 90% of the paper products my family consumes.
o Rather than buying paper towels in bulk, I will eliminate them all together. Replacing them with microfiber and flannel towels, and flour sacks for cleaning, and cloth napkins for use during meal times.
o I have committed to limiting my supermarket runs to once per week. I will carefully plan my family's meals, so that I have what I need and don't have to run out for odds and ends. This will not only eliminate our food-waste, as my purchases will all be based on my weekly menu, it will also save on gasoline.
o I will eliminate all of the bills I receive via US Mail.
o I will not write a check, unless it is the only possible way to make a payment (the likelihood of that is
slim. Of course it still baffles me when I am in line at the market, behind someone who is writing a check...).
o I will only wash full loads of laundry.
o I will only use the water I need to brush my teeth, and I shorten my showers.
o I will continue to use my reusable shopping bags.
o I will continue to use CFL's.
This is just the tip of the iceberg, I know. But I didn't become a "consumer" overnight. This is where I am starting. As I continue to share my progress, my list will grow. Be assured that I will share all of my tips with you.
