6 Green Resolutions You Can Actually Keep

1. Ann Lamb

   posted on December 21st, 2011 at 6:21 pm

   I've been doing all these things since 1964, educated by Ecology Action in Berkeley, CA. I am so tired of seeing them as NEW ideas. Why has 99% of the world never heard of them still? Does it really make any difference?

2. David Alexander Popoff

   posted on December 21st, 2011 at 6:31 pm

   Great minds think alike I just posted this. http://activerain.com/blogsview/2658393/30-simple-green-tips-for-the-new-year-2012-

3. Claire Black Slotton

   posted on December 21st, 2011 at 6:34 pm

   Dear Ann, I, too, am doing all of these and have been for decades. The fact is, 99% of the world is doing this, but 99% of Americans aren't. Hence, we are the biggest consumers and biggest wasters in the world by far. Maybe my resolution for 2012 should be to spread the love to others. Seems hard to do without seeming preachy, no?

4. James Moyer

   posted on December 21st, 2011 at 6:50 pm

   The EPA states that 85% of clothing/textiles end up in landfills, only 15% is recovered. But what are we doing about it? Many governments finally have curbside recycling of aluminum, paper, etc. but still have many roadblocks preventing highly respected public charities like The Salvation Army from placing clothing donation boxes on public and commercial property with the property owner's permission and when the public charity is willing to take full responsibility for maintaining the donation box and the area around it. Are all municipalities taking the responsibility to promote reduce, reuse and recycle or better yet donate, recycle, don't throw away? Do municipalities make it convenient for their residents to do the right thing - DONATE? Or, are they making them travel great distances? Let's make a 2012 New Year's resolution to form public (municipalities)-public (charities) partnerships that: 1) promote reduce, reuse and recycle and donate, recycle, don't throw away and 2) make it easy for residents to donate (thereby doing the right thing and feeling good about it) by allowing highly respected public charities to register for permission to place clothing donation boxes and license each box/location site. Let's have a lean, green and not mean 2012 (we are 5% of the world's population and produce 40% of the world's waste - can't a superpower like the United States do better than that?)

5. Linda Andrews

   posted on December 21st, 2011 at 9:08 pm

   Speak for yourselves. While these are all good tips, not all of them are practical -- or need to be done -- by everyone. For example, I'm someone who needs to watch every penny I spend, and oftentimes, unfortunately, the less eco-friendly option is the cheaper one. Artisan shops are too expensive, and I usually don't need what they sell, anyway, which are usually knickknacks, expensive handmade clothing and jewelry, etc. I have no need of a compost pile because I don't garden, and I don't eat much in the way of the kinds of foods that usually get contributed to a compost pile. Where I live (Connecticut) keeping the thermostat at 68 or lower in winter is too cold. Might as well not have the heat on at all if it's that low. At least I don't drive very much, and, I also use CFL light bulbs. Recycling I do, as much as I can. Monthly reuse parties. HUH? Not an option for me. I live out in the boonies. Use less? Now THAT I can -- and do -- do. I don't use disposable dishes, eating utensils, etc. Not only is that good for the environment, it saves money, too. It's a lot cheaper to use reusables than disposables.

6. DoodiePack Kristin Elliott

   posted on January 2nd, 2012 at 3:28 pm

   As the owner of Doodie Pack, a canine waste management and utility backpack, I know the importance of "being-green". Not only is Doodie Pack made domestically, (in my hometown of Rochester, NY), but it serves to protect the environment and is a vehicle for being socially conscious. Doodie Pack puts dignity back in your dog walk while preventing contaminants and parasites from making their way into the groundwater supply. Because Doodie Pack can be monogrammed ( a local vendor too), foster and rescue groups, along with nationally known organizations, can broadcast their cause, "Adopt Me" for example. Doodie Pack has raised and donated thousands of dollars for not-for-profits and in 2012 we plan to do even more. Let 2012 be the year you "get past yourself" and think about all those who are affected by your actions. Make your actions part of positive social change.

2 Archived Comments

1. 

   Mike

   posted on December 31st, 2010 at 11:49 am

   Great article! It really is the simple things that make the biggest difference!

2. 

   Lydia

   posted on January 5th, 2011 at 8:51 pm

   An easy way to use less disposable plastic and avoid single use products is to invest in some good reusable substitutes. I take all potluck food to parties in my own dishware – it’s not that difficult to bring it home or pick it up later. That also cuts down on food waste – since you are more likely to bring it home that way. Also, for lunches and snacks when we’re on the go or at school, we have an assortment of reusable bags, wraps, pouches, and stainless steel water bottles. For anyone who’d like to encourage their school or organization to raise awareness about the wastefulness of bottled water, check out the educational resources and campaign ideas at http://www.back2tap.com. The information is free.