Happy Earth Day everyone! I've been working on this post all week to find the best eco friendly links, get you the best information, show you how easy it can be to go green! I am in no way an expert, I am just passing along information I have learned in the past and feel everyone should know. I've compiled a list of all the things I do or know want to start doing in the future to be green and think you should consider it too. This is a rather long post, with a lot of words and I know this. But, if everyone who reads, scans, or stumbles upon this aimlessly finds somethings here that they didn't know before, then this will all be worth it. I hope you all find this helpful and really consider changing something about the way you live to lower your carbon footprint. Also, be sure to check out the links (they're in blue) throughout the post and at the end of my post and share your tips and tricks for everyone to see! The best way change your ways is to educate your self and to be aware.
Things I do on a daily basis to to be green and conserve energy that you can do too!
- I've been using more natural makeup products as you an see above. I'm not saying that all of the items above are all natural but some are and all of them have better ingredients in them than most of my other makeup products. I've become more aware of what I use and I read the labels to see what I'm actually putting on my face. Look for things that say 100% Natural, organic and certified, because not all products saying they are natural are. If you're not sure, just look at the ingredients and stay away from Parabens, and sulfates. The nail polishes I show in the picture are "3 free" which means they contain NO Formaldehyde, NO Toluene, NO DBP.
- Zoya also has their Earth Day Nail Polish Exchange going on now until April 27th!
- I recycle! Paper, plastic, glass, cardboard, anything with that little recycle symbol at the bottom and more. Don't forget things like your shampoo bottles, shaving cream, face wash, tissue boxes, even certain lip glosses and many other makeup products that have any plastic on them. If you just take a minute to look at the packaging before you throw it away, or while your in the shower, you'd be surprised to find out how much can be recycled. A lot of my products actually say, "please recycle" or have the recycle symbol somewhere on them, you just have to find it and decode it's meaning.
- My university does and amazing job at recycling and having separate bins available to recycle bottles and we are very green with our Dyson eco friendly hand dryers in the bathrooms and we also have a sustainability bulletin to track how much energy the kids on campus are using. Once you're aware of how much you use you start to use less. (links to find out how much energy you use will be below.)
- Unplug my phone/ipod/laptop (electronics) when they are fully charged -you're not only over using energy, but it's bad for your electronics when you keep them plugged in all night
- Turn off the water when brushing my teeth - everyone should be doing this by now, it would save billions of gallons if everyone around the world did it
- Turn off the light when ever I leave the room - sounds stupid but there's people that don't and I know we've all left the lights on out of laziness or forgetfulness but the more we do it the more it we won't forget
- I use the Yes To Cucumbers Natural Glow Facial Towelettes everyday to take off my face makeup. They're 98.7% natural, biodegradable, natural cloth, FSC Fabric and the container they come in can be recycled. You can buy them at Target and drugstores.
- Replace regular light bulbs with CFL's - even replacing a few lamps around the house for starts will save energy and save you money in the long run.
- I reuse random things around the house for craft projects that I do with the kids I babysit. Sometimes we use toilet paper rolls, cereal or tissue boxes or the tops to bottles. Be creative!
- When I shop I use reusable shopping bags - buy at least one from a store you shop at the most (for me that's Target, I have four bags in various sizes) or a few from your grocery store to reduce the amount of plastic bags that enter landfills...If you do get plastic bags now and then, reuse them or check back with your store to see if they recycle their bags since a lot of stores do that now. You also get $0.05 towards your purchase for every reusable bag that you use in most stores as incentive to use them instead of the plastic ones.
- Although I don't drink as much water as I should, I own a plethora of reusable water bottles, I just bought another one from Target the other day, it's called a Bobble- my point is if you drink a lot of water buy yourself a nice water bottle you can carry with you and refill periodically rather than buying more plastic water bottles, again you'll be saving money and the environment (if you do buy plastic water bottles however look for eco-friendly containers and RECYCLE them NEVER throw them away)
- I've been trying more organic products such as Annie's Homegrown Natural and Organic Foods like the White Cheddar Bunnies and the Organic Berry Patch Fruit Snacks. I bought them at Target and I have always loved Archer Farms Simply Balanced Organic Raspberry Real Fruit Strips.
Things I want to try
- The toilet paper with no tube! I've only seen the commercial for it but it's an amazing commercial. The fact that all the empty toilet paper rolls that are thrown away each year could fill the Empire State Building TWICE is ridiculous and even the most conscious recycler (myself included) has forgotten about the toilet paper and paper towel roll many times and have just thrown it out and am not proud. So, this sounds like genius idea that I really want to try.
- More organic clothing. I have a few pieces but I'd like to research and find some quality, affordable brands, I'll obviously get back to you when I do!
Other ideas that are out there
- Check out the new Garnier Cleaner Greener World Tour and recycling ideas along with their new products if your a fan here.
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| from http://www.people.com/ Credit: Bill Davila/Startraks |
- Back to MAC! I haven't finished any of my MAC products yet but someday I will. Here's what it is and how it works. If you still don't fully understand Allison, or Amarixe on youtube, did a full video on it here.
- Sign up for electronic billing statements. Instead of getting the statement in the mail, or the stub from your direct deposit that you might not even keep, just opt out of those all together. Check with your bank, their online website or through your work to see how.
- Don't throw away your old or unused eye glasses or cellphones! I know there are vision centers in my mall, as well as Target that collect unwanted spectacles. There are a lot of programs out there that recycles electronics and eyeglasses. A specific program is Cell Phones for Soldiers. They recycle donated cellphones by selling them to a company that does the recycling and then using that money to buy calling cards for soldiers overseas.
- Do a clothes swap with friends. It's a fun way to get together with friends, get rid of some stuff that you don't want anymore, and find some gems that your friends might have that they're done with and you can enjoy. You can do this for jewelry, shoes, books, dvds, cds, anything!
- If that's not your thing, you can always donate to Salvation Army, Good Will or local shelters or churches that may be in need of gently worn clothes, home goods, books, electronics, things you've upgraded and don't use anymore
- Shop Green with these tips from the EPA...http://www.epa.gov/osw/education/pubs/shopping.htm
- Carpool to work, school, special occasions when you can, and consider planning out your next trip to run errands so your not driving back and forth a million times wasting gas and your precious time!
"Because we share your commitment to the environment, M·A·C accepts returns of its primary packaging through the Back to M·A·C Program. By returning six [6] M·A·C primary packaging containers to a M·A·C counter or M·A·C Cosmetics online, you’ll receive a free M·A·C lipstick of your choice as our thanks to you."
Sites to check out and bookmark!
Ways to find your Carbon footprint:
If you ever have a specific question about a law concerning the environment: http://www.epa.gov/
Learn more about Earth Day: http://www.earthday.org/
To find recycling centers near you & other amazing information: http://earth911.com/
An amazing foundation doing extraordinary things for the world: http://www.isfoundation.com/
Some great natural beauty tips, tricks and beauty videos: http://naturesknockout.com/TV/home.html
Some great natural beauty tips, tricks and beauty videos: http://naturesknockout.com/TV/home.html
How green are you? What tips and tricks do you have?
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