Go Green to Save Some Green
Being a parent is an all-encompassing job. After all, kids need to be taught how to develop a strong work ethic, be respectful of others and steward well what they have. One of the beauties of making environmentally friendly choices as a family is that you can guide your children to do all of the above through simple changes and intentionality. The added bonus? Nine times out of 10, making eco-friendly choices is cheaper than the alternative. When going green saves some green, it stands to reason that there’s never been a better time than the present to make strides toward healthier living.
There are so many ways families can do their part to reduce landfill waste and clean the air, but efforts are doubled when children are included in the process, instilling those values in the next generation and ensuring that those habits become second nature to them as they grow up. Here are some simple ways to make green choices in your home. And remember, the biggest impact one can make is through a series of little choices. Commit to implementing a few you’re not currently doing and make them a habit throughout the year.
Use cloth diapers. Disposable diapers are the third largest single consumer item to end up in a landfill. In fact, the Clean Air Council estimates that Americans dispose of 49 million diapers a day. While it’s unclear how long it takes for one to decompose, it is estimated to take somewhere between 200 and 500 years. Think about it for a minute. That means that the first disposables used more than 40 years ago will still potentially be around 12 generations later! Disposables do no favors for human health either, composed of harsh chemicals such as polyethylene, petroleum and chlorine. Ditch the disposables and try cloth diapers instead. Today’s modern CDs are convenient, easy to apply and, as an added perk, just downright adorable. And it gets even better. The average cost of a cloth diaper collection runs around $300-500, while using disposables over a two-year period costs a staggering $4,000. Cloth diapers can be reused with subsequent children and, if in good condition, can be resold, meaning they earn their keep over time.
Practice green laundry habits. Wear, wash, fold, repeat. The average household does more than 400 loads of laundry each year, making it a vicious cycle that tags a large carbon footprint. Thankfully, there are several ways to lighten the load (no pun intended!). It stands to reason that the simplest of all ways to cut back your laundry’s impact is simply by doing less of it. Wear items more than once, wash only full loads to ensure your machine functions at peak efficiency and wash using cold water (more than 90 percent of a washing machine’s energy goes toward heating the water, costing an average of $100 a year!). Use phosphate-free laundry detergents, soap nuts or, better yet, make your own laundry detergent with essential oils for a customized scent. Avoid using fabric softener or dryer sheets, as they are full of neurotoxins that are harsh on skin and break down the natural fibers in clothing over time. Instead, use a cup of vinegar during the rinse cycle, which naturally balances the PH of soap, leaving clothing soft and free of chemical residue. Clean out the lint filter in your dryer to shorten the drying time, line dry whenever possible and when you are in the market for a new washer or dryer, look for Energy Star rated appliances, which can save as many as 7,000 gallons of water and $500+ in operating costs.
Go paperless. Snail mail may be one of the most endearing of all ways to stay in touch. Reserve your mailbox for what’s most important and kick junk mail to the curb by registering at sites such as DMAChoice.org, CatalogChoice.org and OptOutPrescreen.com. While at it, register at Yellow Pages Opt Out where you can decline receiving unwanted phone books (something many recycling plants will not accept anyway) and sign up to be placed on the no-call registry to put a stop to telemarketing calls on your home or cell phone (it might not save paper, but it will be a sanity saver!). Sign up for online bill pay, which can be done with the simple click of a button, saving checks and postage stamps. Reuse scrap paper by printing on both sides of the paper or letting the kids draw on the back side of the paper.
Eat fresh. Perhaps one of the most enjoyable ways to make a lasting impact on the environment is to get up close and personal with your food sources. Plant an herb garden on your windowsill, try your hand at container gardening on the deck or a raised garden bed in the backyard. Build a simple compost bin and put food scraps to good use, nourishing the soil instead of adding to a landfill. Collect rainwater to water houseplants and your garden. And don’t forget to check out any one of the 30 farmers markets that call Kansas City home to purchase fresh, locally derived produce.
Downshift drive. One of the most careless ways a family can make a negative impact on the environment is by driving all over town. Work together to strategically cut back on unnecessary driving. Couple grocery shopping with errands each week and organize a carpooling system with friends for the kids’ school and sporting activities. Aim to drive at or below your vehicle’s optimum speed (for most cars it’s around 60 mph) to avoid wasting gas and money, as well as creating unnecessary greenhouse gases. Walk or ride a bike to errands within a mile’s distance.
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More than one-third of all energy consumption takes place at home, while the average person throws away roughly 4 pounds of trash daily.
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Lauren Greenlee can be found developing her green thumb this spring. She gardens—and writes—from her Olathe home.