Earth Day is celebrated on April 22 each year. It was started about 1970 and gradually spread to many countries around the world. In so many places you see the saying that Earth Day has to be every day. I'm a believer in that.
Recently on March 22 there was a celebration of Earth Hour, where people worldwide were asked to not use electricity for an hour. That is all well and good doing it for one hour (and I particpated), but what about the rest of the hours in that day, in that week, in that month, in that year? Do you conserve energy then as well. I try my best. Besides helping the planet it certainly helps ease the hydro bill.
A lot of words, terms and phrases come related to Earth Day
... environmental
... sustanible
... recycle, reduce, reuse
... conservation ... being green I've never been one to waste things unnecessarily. I've used cloth bags long before it became fashionable. Maybe that comes from living in England in the early 70's and plastic bags weren't readily available. I keep all the bags in my van right by the driver's seat so that they are within easy reach when I get to the store. Jan is selling some lovely bags and will be donating the proceeds to a very worthy cause. Be sure to stop by and find out how you can get one.
I've always been recycling, long before it came to our region. I saved all glass jars and used them for storage of leftovers, nails, buttons, and whatever else would fit into them. In fact when recycling did start in our area I was able to fill a few blue boxes full of jars that were no longer being used and I never had the heart to send to the landfill. Plastic containers are reused. Yogurt containers make great sand castles of all shapes and sizes.
I'm not sure I can use the term organic for my garden as that is a designation given by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, but it is certainly free of chemicals, fertilizers and weed killers of any sort.
I grow veggies like potatoes, peas, beans, tomotoes, onions, rhubarb and lettuce. In the summer months I buy the veggies I need from our local farmers. This helps to support my local community and ensures I get fresh veggies. Have you tried the 100 mile diet?
I try really, really hard not to use throw away items, such as pre-wet floor cloths and paper towels, but instead use washable cloths. I've always done this, probably because when they were first introduced I couldn't afford to buy them so found reusable alternatives. Now I can afford them I still don't purchase them.
Things I do, which now come under the header of helping to make the planet a greener place, but which were instigated because I either couldn't afford the fancy packs, or disposable items are
-take re-usable drink containers -pack my lunch instead of buying from those fast food places they call restaurants -use containers for my lunch instead of wrappers -don't buy items in convenience packs, but instead buy the larger size (yogurt as an example) and divide it into washable containers-belong to Freecycle -donate items no longer needed to places like Value Village, the Salvation Army, etc.-purchase some items from garage sales and gently used stores - recycle-conserve water, for example I never water my lawn -saving water by collecting rain water to use on the gardens and re-using gray water when possible -use cloth bags when shopping
-compost because "a rind is a terrible thing to waste"
-avoid chemicals in the garden
I'm sure many of you do the same things that I do. Very often I think that my little contribution doesn't help make the earth a greener more sustainable place, but if we all do our little bit, then we just might make a difference. Now if only we could convince government, big business and large municipalities to do the same thing.
Be sure to check by Jan's blog and see what other gardeners are doing to help make the planet a better place to live. You just might find something new to try. And remember - every little bit helps!
©Crafty Gardener
Thanks for taking time to visit today. I hope you have time to say hi and leave a comment.
Linda; you are very busy being green. I do many of the things you do except saving jars and plastic containers.. Use the blue box for those items I can recycle.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda, Your post is great! I enjoyed reading all the ways you help keep the earth clean and green. I don't do everything that you do but every time I read something that someone is doing I have been asking myself 'why not?'. It's the little things that add up over time. I am so happy that you joined in and want to thank you for your participation! It was nice of you to comment about the cloth bags I have available, as well. I won't make money on them...but wanted to do something positive and that's just one tiny thing. I have a bunch in my car, too...and am making an effort to use them. You are right--every little bit DOES help;-) Take care and have a great spring! Jan
ReplyDeleteYou are so right about each of us doing our small part and together we can make a difference. Love that saying about the rind. Too funny but oh so true. Blogger is eating my comments today so if this shows up twice I'm sorry. Came from Jan's.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right about saying every little bit helps. We can all make a difference. Love that saying "A rind is a terrible things to waste."
ReplyDeleteLinda, I agree with you that every little bit helps. By recycling you not only save money but help the earth too. Win, win.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda
ReplyDeleteI think we have been doing some things for awhile that are considered green today. When I worked, I also used a lunch bag with the food in containers and my tea in a huge metal thermos.
The thermos saved me valuable time on my break from having to boil a kettle.
The cloth bags for groceriers are always in my car too and I prefer ones that can be thrown in the wash. (have some good ones from way back with Sears on them)
Great post.
Judith
I'm glad to participate Jan. I see that lots of others have too. I'll be visiting those sites to get some new ideas.
ReplyDeleteHi Rosemary, Helen and Tina, I'm certain that many of us do a lot of little things that we might not ever consider to be helping make a greener earth.
I bet I have some of those Sears bags too Judith, lovely and big and like you say the best part is they are washable.
Hi Linda .. just dropping by on my way to bed .. it is embarrassing to say I go to bed so early so I won't say what time it is ? LOL
ReplyDeleteYou are doing a great job girl and it really makes it easier for people who would be overwhelmed quickly .. to take it a little at a time which is much better than nothing !
How is that new camera working out ?
Joy : )
Linda, I have been recycling since I was a youngster and then recycling was not a big thing. I remember taking the top and bottom off cans and hammering them flat, only way the depot would take them. Used to harp at my kids about reuse, recyle and reduce. Still live by those standards to this day, many decades later. Thank you for reminding everyone about Earth Day and what it stands for. Have a wonderful day:)
ReplyDeleteGreat post Linda! Thanks for reminding us of all the things we can do to help our earth today!
ReplyDeleteAll of us need a little reminder once in a while :)
After reading your post I realized my family and I are doing pretty much what you do, although there's room for improvement...For instance, the cloth bags? Have them, use them, but often forget them...the brown bag lunch has a mix of plastic bags as well as containers...we recycle paper but every now and then I get a reminder from the 11 year old, "MOM, no! Throw it in the RECYCLE bag!! However, after about a year or so of doing this, it's getting better. Thanks for the check list. One more "green habit" worth making will be: Read "The Crafty Gardner!" :)
ReplyDeleteI grew up listening to extended family about the depression in the 1940s. As a kid it was kind of annoying hearing it all, but now that I'm grown I realize she was right all along. Waste not, want not.
ReplyDeleteIn our household we try to recycle as much as possible. I'm always correcting hubby if he puts a banana peel or eggshell into the garbage. hehe
I am with you 100%. We make every effort to look after the environment in every way we can. Valerie
ReplyDeleteLike you, Itoo recycled/re-used out of necessity, but now do it out of choice!
ReplyDeleteWe have been doing a lot of the same things as you. I have taught my hubby one thing though, he used to be really bad about leaving lights on, and my daughter would also remind him to turn them off! He is 99.5% better! I like glass jars much better, and the things they say about plastic these days...well, I guess if we all pitch in a little it is better than nothing at all.
ReplyDelete