Being Greener for the Good of People and the Planet

What does green or sustainable living mean? The Earth's resources shouldn't be depleted faster than they can be replenished. From that concept comes everything else, including caring for environment, animals and other living things, your health, your local community and communities around the world.

Redecorating with low VOC paint will allow you to breath easier and update your old tired look. There's a reason a fresh coat of paint has distinct smells. These smells are low levels of toxic emissions called volatile organic compounds. They pollute indoor air and are believed to contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer. This is one of the easiest eco friendly choices you can make in your home. Prices for VOC paints are starting to come down as more companies jump on board. A few worth mentioning would be: Benjamin Moore Natura, Yolo, Devoe Wonder Pure.

My husband and I have made a commitment to recycle as much as possible. It amazes me that now our recycling bins out weigh our trash can. It now take us two weeks to fill the trash can. I love that we're generating less waste. We have also been making an effort to re-purpose many of the items we used to throw away. I have to confess, its been fun trying to find creative ways to re-purpose furniture, glassware and plastics. I hope to start composting by mid year and have found several options to suite condo living. Thankfully, my mother is well versed in organic gardening and a wonderful source of information.

GARBAGE INTO SOMEONE ELSE'S GOLD

If you can't reuse something, you don't know anyone who wants it, you can't recycle it, you may still have alternatives to throwing it away. Offering your used goods to another person reduces waste and fits in with the idea of reusing as much as possible.

Helpful links:

Habitat for Humanity accepts tools, building materials, furniture, and appliances in good working order, either for use in homes being built or for resale to t he public in order to help raise funds. It also accepts vehicle donations.

Lion's Club conducts eyeglass recycling, collecting used eyeglasses at a number of eye wear chain stores and redistributing them in developing countries.

Nike Re-Use a Shoe collects worn out athletic shoes of any brand and processes them into material that's used for sports surfaces such as playgrounds for youth around the world.

The Salvation Army operates local centers that accept household and clothing items for resale.

Hands Across the Water collects unwanted books and sends them to schools and libraries that need them around the world.

National Center for Electronics Recycling accepts electronic goods such as TVs, computers, cell phones and computer  driven toys. You can also donate computers for reuse by schools and charities. If your computer is too old to be useful, look for a computer refurbisher or recycling program in your area, check EARTH911 or TECHSOUP.

Cell Phones - the following organizations reprogram retired cell phones so that they can be used free of charge by people, particularly seniors or victims of domestic abuse to call 911. COLLECTIVE GOOD, PHONES 4 CHARITY, WIREFLY Others reprogram and sell the phones to raise funds for charity.Check with your cell phone provider about recycling programs available.

Freecycle was one of the first web sites to offer members way of giving unwanted possessions away for free to other members who would make good use of them. Also try Sharing Is Giving which has a similar purpose, acting as a one-stop source.

Ways for Recycling Non-Everyday Items