Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Tuesday Topics: Going Green

You've heard about going green and the green revolution ad nauseum recently. The buzz words of green & sustainable can be found on everything from cookies to TV's. The age of use-and-toss is over. I for one am all for recycle, refurbish, and renew/reuse (my own 3 R's).

RECYCLE: Living in a small space I don't have the luxury of a fabulous recycling organizer, but I have a bag that gets taken to the recycling center once a week filled with plastics, aluminum, and cardboard. In my mind, even one Coke Classic can counts!This fabulous personal recycling center can be found at Williams Sonoma.

REFURBISH: I love to take hand-me-down or estate sale items from "how outdated" to "fabulous." The majority of furnishings in my house represent this category!
This chair was found at an estate sale. Re-upholstering with a fresh fabric and a little touch up on the legs took it from yuck to yahoo! (The hunt print pictures above were a thrift store find, and the tv stand came from a resale hotel furniture shop. A little cleaning, TLC, paint and stain made them showpieces!)


RENEW & REUSE: Over the past year I've become more conscious of my paper towel usage and replaced a lot with washable hand towels. I'm trying my hand at a garden (aside: no I did NOT jump on the Obama "recession garden" bandwagon. I planted mine way before they announced thankyouverymuch.) I support local business that support local people and places. Even the Barefoot in the Park bookswap falls into this category!

While I find some of the "greenies" out there very hypocritical (don't throw away your old TV just because there is a new "greener" version or get rid of your perfectly economical year old car for a Prius), I do think it's very important for us each to do our part. We should follow the Boyscout's motto when it comes to our planet: leave the space better than when you started.

In honor of Earth Day tomorrow, what changes have you made to be a little more green?

11 comments:

Randall @ Happy For This Moment said...

Great things to think about! I definitely can appreciate the great thrift store finds.

Anonymous said...

Love your chair! And wow, I've never seen a recycling organizer, that would make it so much easier!
I did start using my reusuable shopping bags this year, but I still have a lot of plastic bags floating around. Maybe for Earth Day this year I can find a way to remember my bags when I go shopping. Happy Earth Day to you!

Dollface said...

This is really awesome.. my company is almost all green.. fab! xxxoo

Hopsy said...

I am glad to know I am not the only one that buys things from a hotel liquidator. The one here is Dallas has the lovliest things from the Buckhead Ritz right now!!

TLA said...

Im trying to recycle Jimmy Buffett tickets right now! I have two tickets that despite my listing them FOR FREE on my FB page, have no takers!

No tricks. I dont want money or a thing. Im unable to attend due to work constraints (training a new person) and everyone else I know whod be interested already has tickets. Are you interested or would you like to host a giveaway? (my blog is currently on hiatus, not that I had enough readers to do a giveaway in any case!) All I ask is that someone come to my office on Glenwood South to pick up today or tomorrow :)

Email me at tandrusic(at)gmail(dot)com if interested! I just want someone to enjoy...

katie lake said...

I couldn't agree more! I especially agree with people that throw away a perfectly good item for a "green" one - particularly mattress. People don't realize all mattress have chemical in them due to government regulations (yes even the green ones).

I have started telling clerks I don't need a bag when I run to the store. I usually forget my reusable shopping bags but I generally can either carry the item or fit it in my purse.

Princess Freckles said...

I've always recycled cans, glass, and plastic. Recently, though, I've been reusing grocery bags and I feel really good about it. I keep a stackin my trunk and then grab when I'm walking into the grocery store. Its easy and i feel like I'm making a small difference!

SplendidlyImperfect said...

One of my biggest pet peeves is when people claim to care about the environment just because they recycle - while they're carrying around a plastic water bottle! Recycling still uses energy and that plastic still brings chemicals into our lives. I've given up bottled water (bought a PUR filter and aluminum bottle), I make my own household cleaners (they work better than the store stuff too!), use canvas bags for shopping, and have switched the baby to gDiapers, to name a few.

Piper Jacquelyn said...

I love repurposing old furniture. It's such a great idea and looks totally great as well. I'm really trying to make a better effort on recycling as well!

Belle on Heels said...

sometimes i think i am secretly a dirt hippie at heart, because i love recycling :) i think the separating makes me feel organized. i have some adorable reuseable shopping bags from behappybags that i use religiously and also planted my own salad garden this year. yay earth day!

Lisa said...

LOVE this post - you and I think so much alike! I'm about to do a "Hanging In My Closet" post about my frustration with retailers greenwashing us.

PS - Please send me more pics of your beautiful refurb!! I'd love to feature it there, too with some other great refurbs!

XoXo