While you’re home this weekend, take a few minutes to switch over to paperless billing. These days everyone is offering it, and opting in is as simple as a few clicks on the ‘ol computer screen.
The Pay Off: Less paper in your mailbox and less paper in the landfill.
Photo © Flickr user uzvards
Tired of bagging your fruits and vegetables in plastic? Then, make yourself a set of reusable produce bags – a few minutes of time and a yard of mesh is all it takes
Craftstylish.com: How to Sew Your Own Produce Bags
Target Bag
Reusable bags are good for the Earth, but they can be good for your pocketbook too. Whole Foods and Target are among a growing number of retail stores to offer discounts for bringing your own bags.
Shop at either store, and you’ll receive 5-cents off of your purchase for each bag that you bring. Not too shabby.
Do you know of other stores that offer reusable bag discounts? Please share the details.
- Algeen Rain Barrel
In a recent post I mentioned that I hoped to add some rain barrels to our yard this summer to cut down on our fresh water usage.
Well, I think I’ve finally found the perfect rain barrel for my family: The Algeen 81002 Agua Rain Water Collection and Storage System (pictured above). It holds 50 gallons of water, and is made of thick, molded plastic (pretty standard stuff); but its styling is definitely a cut-above.
I just love the terra cotta urn design and the built-in planter at the top. This is a rain barrel that actually looks like it belongs in the yard. So nice to find an alternative to those clunky industrial barrels.
While out yard saling the other day, my husband picked up an electric pencil sharpener, and I immediately started to question whether we needed one. I mean, sure we sharpen a lot of pencils at our house, but our little hand-held sharpener has always gotten the job done AND gotten it done without electricity.
Wasn’t it better then, to forgo electricity when we could? To use our own power to complete simple tasks? We decided that it was, and left without the electric sharpener.
Want to cut back on the amount of electricity that you use?
Consider these simple changes:
- use a wisk and a bowl, instead of a mixer
- use a regular razor, instead of an electric razor
- use a hand-held can opener, instead of an electric can opener
- use a crank radio, instead of an electric radio
Simple Shoes Flip Flops
In search of the perfect pair of flip flops for the summer? Then, you’re going to want to check out Simple Shoes. They’re a company that creates substainable footwear out of materials like hemp, recycled tires, and organic cotton.
My pick for the summer? A snazzy pair of brown flip flops with hemp uppers and recycled tire bottoms. I’ve been wearing them for the last couple of weeks, and they couldn’t be more comfortable.
TOCS Watch
I may not be driving a hoopty car, but I’m definitely sporting a hoopty watch. The face is all scratched; the Velcro closure has lost it’s umph; and the band now reads “IMEX” instead of “TIMEX.” It’s definitely time for a new watch, and thanks to a recent article in Real Simple, I have found it: the Ani-Digi Solar Alarm Chrono (Round) from TOCS Watches.
It retails for $45, a pretty typical watch price, but there’s nothing typical about this watch. It’s features a lifetime solar panel. It’s strong enough to run on indoor light, and it includes a lifetime battery back up – so it’s just as reliable on overcast days and after the sun goes down.
It also happens to have eco-style to spare. With eye-catching colors like Ruby Red, Sky Blue and Sunshine Yellow, this is a watch that’s sure to get noticed, and get you spreading the word about the benefits of solar power.
No Sign
Green living is about what you choose to buy, but it’s also about what you choose not to buy. With that in mind, Sustainlane.com has put together a list of 10 products to ban from your home. Are you still buying any of these items?
Photo © Flickr user TheTruthAbout
Earth Day offers the perfect opportunity to get your green on without spending any of your hard-earned green.
Cash in on these great Earth Day Freebies:
- Get a free roll of Reynolds Wrap Foil made from 100% Recycled Aluminum (while supplies last)
- Receive a free gift from the Disney Store when you bring in three plastic bottles for recycling (rumored to be a stainless steel water bottle)
- Score an organic cotton tote and a sample of shampoo and conditioner from Aveeno (limited quantities)
Know of other Earth Day freebies? I’d love to hear about them.
Still using incandescent bulbs because you can’t justify the cost of CFLs or water-guzzling toilets because you can’t bring yourself to shell out for low-flows? If so, this is the week to move forward with your plans and feel good about it.
Since Earth Day is Wednesday, stores are knocking themself out to earn your go-green dollars. This week, you’ll find deals on everything from biodegradable trash bags to organic fertilizer and energy-efficient appliances.
A few Sale Highlights:
- Lowes is offering a $5 mail-in rebate on all 1-gallon containers of low-VOC Olympic paint
- CVS is offering their store-brand rechargeable batteries buy-one-get-one-free and Go Green biodegradable trash bags buy-one-get-one-half-off
- Walgreens is offering a two-pack of store-brand CFLs for $3.99 with coupon
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