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GreenMometerTM

Feeling overwhelmed & don't know where to start? Try one of the GreenMometerTM tips:  just pick an area to change & start with the green level with which you're most comfortable. Click on colored text for more info, ideas & products. If you make just one change in any shade, it will help. Have a different idea of what's Green, Greener, Greenest? Share it in the Discussion Forum.

 

CONSERVING WATER
Put a plastic water bottle in your toilet tank (not a brick)
Better get a bucket! Uh, we mean catch water in a bucket & reuse it
Install a graywater recycling system for your home
BOOKS & VIDEO
Buy used when possible, preferably from a local book store
Borrow from the library, a friend or other GreenMoms!
Buy electronic versions of books & video downloads
CLEANING SUPPLIES
Buy less-toxic, natural cleaners (bulk is best) or a Do-it-Yourself kit
Make your own cleaners from vinegar, etc.
Don't clean anything (were kidding! sort of)
REDUCING MEAT-BASED DIET IMPACT
Eat one less meat-based meal per week
Eat only locally produced, organically raised meat
Go (all or mostly) vegetarian or vegan
GIFT-WRAPPING
Reuse paper wrapping
Try reusable paper gift bags
Use reusable (& washable!) fabric gift bags
FAMILY GIFT GIVING
Ask adults to bring only 1 gift per child
Select only one name from a hat; give homemade gifts
Give the gift of time & love, or to charitable organizations
CHRISTMAS TREES
Purchase from local growers
Replant a living tree in a large pot & reuse for several years
Decorate a houseplant or tree on your property
BABY BOTTLES
#5-based plastic bottles are next safest after glass bottles
Alternative plastic bottles that don't leach toxins such as BornFree.
Breastfeeding and/or if that is not possible: glass baby bottles with silicone nipples.
ON-THE-GO DRINKING WATER
Buy most local source for bottled water (better than out-of-area imports), recycle the bottle
Any type of reusable bottle (assuming it's safe)
Stainless steel (non-plastic) bottle filled with water from a home filtration system
PRINTING & PHOTO-COPYING (especially at an office)
Use recycled printer/copier paper. Use backside of barely used sheets
Print 2 pages per sheet (grab your reading glasses if necessary)
Print 2 pages per sheet & copy back to back (or print back to back if your printer is able)
TOYS
Stop buying plastic toys. Buy natural toys made from wood, cotton or wool
Purchase eco-friendly toys: organic fabrics, sustainably grown wood or recycled materials
Use recycled toys from family & friends or found at re-sale shops and garage sales
DIAPERS
Use non-bleached paper diapers
Use cloth diapers, a diaper service, compostable or biodegradable diapers
Try "elimination communication": a diaperless approach to babies' elimination needs
FOOD
Buy the 12 most highly sprayed foods from an organic source instead of a conventional source
Buy everything organic, local, and fair-trade when available
Grow your own food, then supplement with organic, local, & fair-trade when necessary
SOAPS
Throw out any anti-bacterial soap you have in your house. (Do not send down the drain!)
Use only eco-friendly labeled soaps that are biodegradable
Buy organic, concentrated, liquid, biodegradable soap in bulk for all sinks & showers
BODY CARE PRODUCTS
Buy new products at natural food type stores; not conventional grocery stores or salons
Switch to products that are plant based only & offer some organic ingredients
Switch to top rated products from EWG skin deep data base, or OCA
LAUNDRY SOAP
Switch to eco-friendly laundry soap
Switch to chemical free laundry soap: Soap Nuts
Don't wash your clothes (just kidding) or make your own non-toxic laundry soap
CLOTHING
Gradually seek out sustainable clothing to replace conventional clothing purchases
Buy only organic cotton, hemp, sustainably made, & fair trade clothing
Don't buy new clothes; buy clothes at Re-Sale stores & repair old clothing
TRANSPORTATION
Drive less (goal: don't drive 1x a week); walk, bike, carpool, take public transportation
Drive fuel efficient cars: hybrid or alternative fuel car (Straight Veggie Oil - SVO, biodiesel)
Don't drive at all (ha!): walk, bike, carpool, or take public transportation instead
FEMININE HYGIENE
Use 100% organic cotton pads & tampons
Use cloth pads only...which are re-useable & washable
The extreme green challenge! Use the Diva Cup

 


Comments (2)Add Comment
...
written by beach babies, May 09, 2009
I would say that the safest & greenest choice under the heading of "baby bottles" would be to breastfeed exclusively. I also would like to add The Keeper to the feminine hygiene category. I've been using mine for years and I love it! www.thekeeper.com
...
written by Melinda, May 14, 2009
I agree. I have added breastfeeding to the last level. I have not heard of the keeper. Is it like the diva cup? If you highly recommend this product, you are welcome to submit it as a resource. Go to 'submit a resource' on the right vertical menu.
Thanks!
-Melinda

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