Saving AND being "Green"

[Peekaboo]

Earth Day is next week, so I thought this would be a good time to talk about ways we've found to economically live greener. I've seen some really excellent ideas in various threads here, so I know y'all are just brimming with ideas I would never have thought of

 

Of course I recycle everything my county facility will accept. I found these "pop out hamper" thingies at the Dollar Tree. They are kind of like mesh laundry bags with flexible metal that allows them to pop into shape and then fold back up. I use these for my recyclables and I love not having to scrub out those hard plastic recycling bins anymore, not to mention not having to lug them around whether empty or full.

 

One thing I have been able to finally accomplish is switching to 100% rechargeable batteries. I buy good 9v rechargeables because that's what powers my smoke detectors. Other than those, I only buy AA and AAA batteries because I got C and D adapters that convert an AA cell into either of those sizes. I also got THIS Solar Charger (from the non-featured merchant for $31.xx+ship) and I have it sitting on the dash of my vehicle so I always have charged batteries. If I do have to buy batteries when I'm out and about for whatever reason, I buy the Rayovac Hybrid batteries. Those things have been great.

[radi8]

I can't say I've done anything specific to be "green", but I'm not big into wasting money either so the "green" I have is mostly a side effect of saving $$ on energy bills. The house (where I live and my rental) have CFL's wherever possible and as much insulation as I can add. HE gas furnace in one, flame retention oil burner in the other.

Recycling is mandatory here, just set the stuff out at the curb and the city picks it up and separates metal from glass from plastic.

About 1/2 my back yard will be garden this year, lol. There'll be green stuff in there, does that count?

[angeleyeskkhr]

You could always start a compost pile for your gardening.

 

I should probably try to be "greener" but, I'm too lazy right now, and the few moves I did try to cut energy costs backfired (those stupid energy efficient bulbs burned out within 4 months, and this apt is REALLY bad with the whole insulation thing).

 

I try to keep the gas usage down, but I still have to fill up about 2.5 times every two weeks. (Kia Spectra..I think it holds about 11-13 gallons? Not sure).

 

We don't recycle right now. There's no recycling pick up at our apt, and it's a pain. I'm gonna try to start when we move though.

[Peekaboo]

Of course gardening counts! What's greener than that? I have a black thumb but I'm trying to get better. This has actually turned out OK for me, though, since my kids will help with planting. They figure that there is something wrong with my hands and it kills plants, so they pick them up and plant them for the sake of the plants

 

I wanted to start composting, but I know the critters would get into it (plus it would stink). I saw this really great composter that is plastic and critter-proof, but it's like $70.

 

I don't even have garbage pick up here It's available, but since I'm going to the transfer station to recycle anyway, I might as well lug the garbage too. The trip there isn't added, really, it only adds an extra 2 miles 3 days a week to my regular PO trip.

 

ETA: I've switched to CF bulbs as well. Dollar General frequently has promotions where I can get them pretty cheap there after rebate, I always get them during that time, and also got a bunch when Walmart had 8 packs clearanced last summer. I've had a few go out quickly, too, but most of them do seem to last awhile - not sure what was wrong with those duds.

Edited April 19, 2008 by Peekaboo

[radi8]

I have a black thumb but I'm trying to get better.

 

 

Heh. I said I was going to plant a garden. I didn't say it was going to actually work. Last time all I got was an awful lot of happy, well-fed rabbits.

[angeleyeskkhr]

I have a black thumb but I'm trying to get better.

 

 

Heh. I said I was going to plant a garden. I didn't say it was going to actually work. Last time all I got was an awful lot of happy, well-fed rabbits.

 

 

Huh.

 

My family must be gardening experts. Every time we'd do a garden, we'd have tomatoes and squash and beans and peas, and okra and all that stuff out the whazzoo.

 

ETA:

wanted to start composting, but I know the critters would get into it (plus it would stink). I saw this really great composter that is plastic and critter-proof, but it's like $70.

 

They had a segment on composting on the news here...Apparently, if ya get the right composter, it won't stink (at least not when the lids on. ) and it's basically air-tight, so critters can't get in either...

Edited April 19, 2008 by angeleyeskkhr

[radi8]

Every time we'd do a garden, we'd have tomatoes and squash and beans and peas, and okra and all that stuff out the whazzoo.

 

 

Well see, you're doing it different then. I plant mine out in the yard.

 

that roto-tiller's gotta be a mouse.

[angeleyeskkhr]

Every time we'd do a garden, we'd have tomatoes and squash and beans and peas, and okra and all that stuff out the whazzoo.

 

 

Well see, you're doing it different then. I plant mine out in the yard.

 

that roto-tiller's gotta be a mouse.

 

 

Well, we put it in my great-uncle's yard. I meant, silly, that we had so much that EVERYONE within like a 10 mile radius AND at my dad's side job (security at a local hospital) were alway happy to see a reduction in their grocery bill.

 

Great-uncle would till up the area, then we were responsible for planting, weeding, and picking. He'd water.

 

He had TONS of cats, a fox or two, other normal critters in the area (there was a brushy/woody area near him)...But no fence or anything. We didn't do anything special or anything.

[Peekaboo]

I am just the weak link in my family. My Dad could plant a rose petal and in a year there would be a 10 year old blooming bush! I just got a mutated gene or something in that regard

 

That composter thing is probably exactly the one I was talking about. It's critter and smell proof and actually very nice looking - but it's pricey.

 

I have a family of rabbits living under my shed. They came with the place. Do they really eat a lot? I think we now have a cat, too and my dogs are none too pleased. If I were to try and keep the rabbits out, I'd have to plant in the front yard. Now, I live in the country, but none of my neighbors have their veggie gardens in the FRONT yard. They already consider me a Yankee, I don't know what they'd think if I did that.

Edited April 19, 2008 by Peekaboo

[hlburi]

reuseable shopping bags. Plastic does not break down fast at all.

 

Ghost power loss - appliances plugged into outlets but not being used still use power when plugged in. Unplug those toasters, toaster ovens, etc when not in use.

 

Buy reuseable water bottles instead of the throw away kind.

 

Install radiant barrier in your attic.

 

switch to energy saving light bulbs.

 

save water - shower with a friend.

Edited April 19, 2008 by hlburi

[Kevin20]

Personally I celebrate "Earth Day" buy burning a 55-gallon drum of industrial carbon dust just to annoy the hippies.

 

BUT, if you want to talk about saving money, it so happens that I've switched over to 100% wind power electricity. I live in an area where we have some degree of deregulation and competition, and I found that I could save about 23% on the price of kilowatt-hours by switching from the greedy former monopoly using fossil fuels (mostly nat gas), to a competitor's all-windmill all-the-time plan.

[54regcab]

A couple of things on the rechargeable batteries:

 

1: A solar charger will never pay for itself vs. a standard charger. A standard charger uses very little power. Another thing to consider is the charger will sit in the sun and the batteries will get hot, severely reducing their lifespan.

 

2: Rechargables only keep their charge for about 30 days, not good for smoke detectors/remotes etc.

 

3: The C and D adapters don't work well for high drain devices (precisely why the manufacturer of the device chose to use the to begin with) Look for a "wolf in sheeps clothing" when buying C/D, rechargeables. Make sure that the MAH rating is significantly more than a AA, they should weigh a lot more also.

 

All that being said rechargeable AA's are EXCELLENT of you have a toddler with a bunch of toys that seem to go through them like water !!!

[direred]

1) compost heap

2) use coffee grounds for acid-loving plants (roses, camelias)

3) buy our produce from a local grower during their growing season

4) reduce car trips

5) bring my own bags when I'm out shopping

6) when I eat at the company cafeteria, I use real flatware and a real plate, not the disposeable stuff

7) use CF bulbs where I can or lower-wattage bulbs where I can

8) use fountain pens so I'm not littering the world with disposable pens. There are new permanent fountain pen inks, so there's no reason not to use them

9) recycle everything we can, though we do miss things occasionally

10) growing some of our own fruits and vegetables plus gathering up some items of friends and neighbors. We have a friend who makes sorbet out of our fruit harvests, plus we make jam and stuff. Yummy and ecological

[gettinganewlife]

1. I got sold on reusable bags for groceries after learning that the petroleum used to make 6 plastic bags is enough to go one mile in your car. Plus I bought one to use and found out how many more groceries you can get into one bag, and they dont rip...I love my reusable bags, even got a thermal one for cold items.

 

2. the new lightbulbs.

 

3. turned down the water heater and have the whole family working on less water usage.

 

4. Reusable water bottles, and your own water purifier.

 

5. Im so excited to plant the garden and go to farmers markets!

[Kevin20]

1. I got sold on reusable bags for groceries after learning that the petroleum used to make 6 plastic bags is enough to go one mile in your car.

 

Doesn't sound so bad, considering it only takes about 2.4 fluid ounces of gasoline to make my car go one mile. But I'd prefer paper if I can get it.

[Peekaboo]

The solar charger has already paid for itself because I keep it in my car and have batteries on hand rather than having to buy more while I'm out. I don't have to keep it in the sun if the batteries in it are already charged, only when I'm swapping drained cells for charged It takes the same time to charge cells as it would if it were electric (a few hours). This keeps all the mp3 players, handheld games and cameras working while we go (or when camping, etc).

 

My 9v batteries still have charge left at the 6 month changeout intervals. They were higher priced cells, but I think they were worth it as they do retain their charge.

 

Also, those hybrids hold their charge almost as long as a disposable alkaline. They come out of the pack fully charged as well. I don't know what tests may say about their lifespan vs. other rechargeables, but I have not had any cells go bad in the 2 years since I picked up the first pack. I have only seen them available in AA and AAA cells, though.

 

I think they're really coming along with developing reliable rechargeables. Silly as it may be, that's exciting to me

[54regcab]

I'm glad to see the technology coming along, I haven't used rechargeables in a while due to the pitfalls I mentioned but I think we're going to give them another try.

[54regcab]

I can't find ANY C/D batteries that are more than the 2500mah you get from AA batteries. Are ALL C/D batteries just AA's in a C/D case?

[Peekaboo]

You know I hadn't given it much thought before this discussion, but I really don't use many C or D cells. I do have some battery space generic cells, and those adapters, but most things we have use AA. The output is the same 1.5v, and perhaps since the technology is advancing they are able to use the smaller cells more often than previously? I really don't know that much about them on a technical level, I just like being able to use them without issue and not tossing cells into the landfill.

 

I have noticed the same thing you brought up, though. The C and D always seem to be the same capacity as whatever AA/AAA is available?

 

The 9v I bought were from a battery store (battery warehouse or something like that?). Again, because I'm not keen on the technical side, I don't know why these were super great, I just asked the guy at the counter which would be best for my purpose and he suggested these, which turned out to work exactly as I had hoped. He did explain why, but my eyes glassed over and I don't remember

Edited April 20, 2008 by Peekaboo

[direred]

For reusable bags, I'm most fond of the ones from Chico Bags. My local store has them at the counter, but I've discovered that I prefer these to all other brands I've tried.

[angeleyeskkhr]

For reusable bags, I'm most fond of the ones from Chico Bags. My local store has them at the counter, but I've discovered that I prefer these to all other brands I've tried.

 

 

I just bought three of those green bags (kinda like beach bags ) that HEB sells. They're very sturdy and whole a LOT more than the plastic bags.. But it can be a pain when the bagger comes and just starts throwing anything into 'em. I like them bagged in a specific way.

[bakerman]

Compact fluorescents (only had one batch that died early all others last a very long time, much longer than incandescent)

 

No bottled water, we have a PUR filter on the sink and a filter on the icemaker, and use insulated mugs

 

low flow shower head

 

combine car trips, and no random wasteful trips

 

Need to do more, will start recycling soon

[54regcab]

You know I hadn't given it much thought before this discussion, but I really don't use many C or D cells. I do have some battery space generic cells, and those adapters, but most things we have use AA. The output is the same 1.5v, and perhaps since the technology is advancing they are able to use the smaller cells more often than previously? I really don't know that much about them on a technical level, I just like being able to use them without issue and not tossing cells into the landfill.

 

I have noticed the same thing you brought up, though. The C and D always seem to be the same capacity as whatever AA/AAA is available?

 

The 9v I bought were from a battery store (battery warehouse or something like that?). Again, because I'm not keen on the technical side, I don't know why these were super great, I just asked the guy at the counter which would be best for my purpose and he suggested these, which turned out to work exactly as I had hoped. He did explain why, but my eyes glassed over and I don't remember

 

I found some D's rated at 10,000mah but they are $11 EACH. $11 D cell

[Peekaboo]

You know I hadn't given it much thought before this discussion, but I really don't use many C or D cells. I do have some battery space generic cells, and those adapters, but most things we have use AA. The output is the same 1.5v, and perhaps since the technology is advancing they are able to use the smaller cells more often than previously? I really don't know that much about them on a technical level, I just like being able to use them without issue and not tossing cells into the landfill.

 

I have noticed the same thing you brought up, though. The C and D always seem to be the same capacity as whatever AA/AAA is available?

 

The 9v I bought were from a battery store (battery warehouse or something like that?). Again, because I'm not keen on the technical side, I don't know why these were super great, I just asked the guy at the counter which would be best for my purpose and he suggested these, which turned out to work exactly as I had hoped. He did explain why, but my eyes glassed over and I don't remember

 

I found some D's rated at 10,000mah but they are $11 EACH. $11 D cell

 

That's really high. I suggest you check out batteryspace, that's where I got the bulk of my cells. They have combo deals that make the individual cell cost very reasonable. Also, their BC1HU charger is an excellent unit.

[Athena53]

We're gradually replacing our lightbulbs with energy-efficient ones and accumulating reusable cloth shopping bags. We've also replaced our heating/AC with more energy-efficient versions and replaced most of our old, drafty windows. (House is 25 years old so it was time to do both.)

 

I've also got a philosophy of buying good things that last (clothes, shoes, tools, kitchen utensils). More expensive in the short run, but cheaper in the long run and kinder to the environment because you're not throiwng away broken/worn out stuff after a year and buying new.