My Baby's Green: GREEN TIPS

Below are ALL of the GREEN TIPS that were previously shared on MBG, but without the Make Your Own Body Care and Green Ways to Clean recipes included. To continue to make them easier to find, all topics related to these will be shared separately.

Weeds & Grass Killer-Spray weeds or grass with a solution of 25% vinegar and 75% water. This is most effective when no rain is expected for at least 2 to 3 days after spraying.

When shopping online, before clicking “purchase”, search for a discount code. Some may have expired but more than no you will find a code that can be used!

Contact pamphlet distribution companies and let them know that you don't want their junk mail in your mailbox. Add a "no junk mail" sticker to your mailbox and lambast any company whose marketing materials still appear! They may blame the distributor, but it doesn't matter, just make your feelings known - it's their responsibility to stop it. A company that ignores such requests in this age of "green" is running the risk of nasty publicity. In some countries, there are central authorities where you can arrange to have your name removed from unsolicited mailings.

Encourage organizations you're associated with to post their newsletters on the web and to remove your name from paper-based mailings.

Some utilities and banks that provide online account access will discontinue sending you paper statements,invoices and promotional material if you formally request it.

Organic can be expensive to start. Keep start up costs down by starting with what you can, a little at a time. When you run out of conventional items in your pantry choose to replace with organic.

Wedding rings-The amount of natural resources and energy that go into creating wedding rings is incredible. Consider very simple rings, or perhaps a re-fashioned pre-owned ring and for the truly adventurous; maybe a wooden wedding ring - that may sound a little strange, but these are amazing and very individual creations!

Not enough room to take advantage of bulk buying? Shop with a friend!

Know your labels-Natural or all natural-potentially indicates that a product is free of artificial ingredients. But since the terms are currently unregulated, a product can claim it’s natural without actually being all natural-like “natural” granola bars made with high fructose corn syrup. They can contain GMOs unless the label states otherwise.

This is how long it takes garbage to break down: Plastic takes 500 years, aluminum cans take 500 years, organic materials take 6 months, cotton, rags, and paper take 6 months.

Don't put paint, batteries or CFLs in the trash.

Use rechargeable batteries.

Don't buy CFLs. I know that one of your green tip was to do that but seriously CFLs are bad for the environment and incandescent light bulbs are way better but if you still want to save on energy, buy LEDs. CFLs contains mercury and are both harmful to the environment and our health. Here is a list of precautions to take when one CFL breaks and it's something you DON'T want to have to deal with!

Favor natural fabric over artificial ones made from petroleum by-products that are not biodegradable.

• Organic cotton (ideally harvested in United-States)

• Hemp

• Wool (ideally organic)

• Unbleached and non-dyed whenever possible

Don't buy new non-organic cotton. That one is tougher but if you buy your used clothes it's easier and less expansive as well as greener. Here is a great article about cotton-Organic Cotton Blog. Another can be found at Why Go Green-Part 1.

Rent or borrow tools you will be using only a very few times, you will also be saving!

Make things you are able to do yourself instead of buying them. It takes more time but it's greener and highly rewarding.

Use reusable cloths pads or a menstrual cup. If you are not ready for that, buy biodegradable pads or tampons.

Use biodegradable deodorant or alum. Your clothes will also be happier!

Arthritis Relief: Mix a teaspoon of half apple cider vinegar, half honey in a glass of water with a teaspoon of orange flavored Knox gelatin.

Use biodegradable toothpaste without sodium lauryl sulfate or fluoride. Fluoride being good for the health is a myth and it's bad for the environment.

Stop your engine if you are going to be idle for more than 30 seconds.

Pay attention to your driving style. You can save on fuel if you respect speed limits but also if you try not accelerating too fast. There is no need to accelerate to cruise speed if there is a stop or red light right ahead!

Cutlery and crockery-Disposable plates, cups, napkins and cutlery can create masses of waste at large wedding receptions. Consider hiring non-disposable cutlery and crockery instead. If that's not viable, try to use recycled paper products or treeless options such as bamboo.

Gifts and favors-Weddings can generate all sorts of well-intentioned but unwanted gifts. Consider setting up a green wedding gift registry; which is basically just a wish list of earth friendly products you'd like.

Don’t need anything? Perhaps this is a second marriage? Ask for no gifts be purchased, but donations made to your favorite charities or environmental groups.

For gifts you give to guests-make them earth friendly. It could be a carbon offset to go towards their travel, a donation on the guest's behalf, a tree planted in their name or a gift basket of green products.

Photos-Everyone likes a photographic record of an event/ceremony, so instead of sending out hundreds of paper based photographs, save on postage, processing and toxic chemicals by storing digital images for family and friends to download as they please; printing out only what's absolutely necessary.

When re-roofing the house, consider using metal instead of asphalt shingles. Asphalt is made of oil and is not the best for energy savings. Metal roofs save money and energy.

If you have an event (like a wedding) indoors, try and select a venue that makes the best use of natural light.

Encourage guests to purchase carbon offsets for their travel. Explain to them what an offset is and how they can purchase them.

Car or van pooling-Instead of having everyone drive from their hotels/motels or wherever they are staying to the event. A great deal of fuel can be saved by organizing a car pool or hire vans to transport everyone to and from. It will also help ensure those who have imbibed in the spirit of the occasion a little too much will get back to their accommodation safely.

Where possible, consider purchasing USED or obtaining what you need from a freecycle group near you. Not only will you be saving something useful from the landfill, but you'll also be spending less money, and the energy and resources needed to produce and transport that item new will not be used.

Get off junk mail lists and save trees.

Use cloth diapers or eco-friendly diapers instead of traditional disposables.

Catering-Use an organic catering company that sources local ingredients. Minimize the amount of meat on the menu and maximize the use of in season fruit, vegetables and local dairy products.

Keep your car tuned up, and have regular maintenance done when it's called for. A well running car uses less gas.

If you own a car, makes sure to check your tire air pressure weekly and air up tires that are under the recommended air pressure. This simple action will cut your gas usage.

Kick that thermostat UP a few degrees in summer and DOWN a couple degrees in winter. Better yet, see if you can go without AC, if you live in an area where it doesn't go much over 85-90F.

When you can’t get the last bit of mayonnaise or salad dressing out of the jar, try dribbling a little of your favorite vinegar into it, put the cap on tightly and shake well. You’ll be amazed at how much you’ve been wasting.

Plastic forks and spoons-Disposable plastic utensils are not biodegradable and not recyclable in most areas.

Use compostable food service items. Companies such as Biocorp make cutlery from plant materials such as corn starch and cellulose. Better yet, carry your own utensils and food containers.

Styrofoam cups/plates are not biodegradable-they are forever. Alternative: Buy recyclable and compostable paper cups or better yet, invest in some reusable mugs/stainless steel bottles that you can take with you.

Frosted windows: For those winter mornings when there is frost on the car, wipe the windows the night before with a solution of one part water to three parts white distilled vinegar. They won’t frost over.

Remove Lime Stains from Car-Pour a small amount of white vinegar on a clean cloth. Gently rub the area of lime staining with the cloth until the stain is gone. Test a small are first to ensure no discoloration.

Plastic forks and spoons-Disposable plastic utensils are not biodegradable and not recyclable in most areas.
Use compostable food service items. Companies such as Biocorp make cutlery from plant materials such as corn starch and cellulose. Better yet, carry your own utensils and food containers.

Go through your pantry, your cleaning cupboard, office supplies and kitchen cabinets and get familiar with what you own again. You may find you won't have to buy any of product X,Y, Z for some time. You also may find products that have a limited shelf life such as food items that need to be used soon.

Reducing food waste is a huge green step that many of us need to take. You might come across items that can be recycled, allowing resources tied up in something not being utilized to be reused. You may find things you can give away or sell; possibly stopping someone from having to buy that item new.

Discover if your household has become a domestic toxic waste dump. Cans of paint, old glue, automotive chemicals; just about every suburban street has enough toxic waste stashed behind those picket fences to do some real damage to the environment.

Bleached coffee filters-Dioxins, chemicals formed during the chlorine bleaching process, contaminate groundwater and air and are linked to cancer in humans and animals.

Alternative: Look for unbleached paper filters.
Best Option: Use reusable filters such as washable cloth filters.

Excess packaging wastes resources and costs you much more. Around thirty three percent of trash in the average American household comes from packaging.

Instead buy products with minimal or reusable packaging or better yet, buy in bulk and use your own containers when shopping.

Use your bicycle or your feet to run local errands, instead of your car. You and the planet will be healthier for it. When you do have to use the car, consolidate your trips into one and plan your trip for the least gas consumption and carpool when and where possible.

Paper towels waste forest resources, landfill space, and your money. Instead when you do buy paper towels, look for recycled, non-bleached products or buy dishtowels or rags to wash and reuse. Better yet-recycle old bath and dish towels, and other cotton terry and jersey items, into the rag bag. Use rags for cleaning. instead of paper towels. and save trees.

If you have the place to do so, consider planting a garden. Not only will the food not have to travel to you, but you won't have to travel to the store to buy it. Your food will be fresher and healthier!

Invitations and paper-Use recycled paper wherever possible for wedding invitations; most companies can offer this option. Also consider treeless paper made from materials such as bamboo, hemp and kenaf. Even the type of ink used for the invitation should be taken into account as some inks can be toxic.

Flowers used at weddings and receptions have a tendency to be out of season and therefore imported. Transportation and care of these flowers requires extra resources. Try to use locally sourced flowers or you could even use potted flowers as these can make a great addition to your home or garden after the big event!

70% of PVC is used in construction, but it is also found in everyday plastics, including some children’s toys. Vinyl chloride, the chemical used to make PVC, is a known human carcinogen. Also, additives, such as lead and cadmium, are sometimes added to PVC to keep it from breaking down; these additives can be particularly dangerous in children’s toys. PVC is also the least recycled plastic.

Avoid plastics that are labeled as “PVC” or “#3.” Look for #1 and #2 plastics, which are easier to recycle and don’t produce as many toxins. Use sustainable construction materials.

Unneeded printouts can be cut and stapled to make notepads

Film canisters can be reused to store nails, screws, buttons and pins.

Have any to share? Please do so in the comments for us all to learn!

Linking up to Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways #15