If It Is Thursday It's Going Green

Our local farmers' market

Remember the 4 R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repair

Try using the following simple methods that are logical, easy to do and inexpensive.

1. If you have room for a garden, or can join a community garden, grow some of your own food using organic methods.

2. Buy fruits, vegetables and other staples at a local farmers’ market or join a community-supported agriculture program

3. Compost all your yard waste and vegetable kitchen scraps in a compost or worm bin, and return the compost to the soil.

4. Buy organic, recycled and other Earth-friendly products instead of conventional ones, even when they cost more.

5. Never buy anything on impulse. If you think you want something, wait at least 24 hours and see if you still want it then.

6. Set the air conditioning 10 degrees warmer, replace high-wattage light bulbs with efficient ones, and make a habit of turning off anything that does not actually need to be on.

7. Contact your local water, electricity, and heating fuel utilities to find out what conservation programs, rebates, and incentives they offer.

8. Turn off the television and computer games. Learn how to entertain yourself and your family.

9. Put flow restrictors on your faucets and showerhead to save water. If you can’t replace existing toilets with a low-flow version, place a half-gallon jug full of water in the toilet tank to reduce the amount used in each flush.

10. Whenever you possibly can, walk, bicycle, carpool, or take public transit instead of driving a car.

11. Live as close as possible to work or school so that you minimize the time and energy wasted in commuting.

12. Donate old clothes, housewares, and appliances to charity, or find other uses for them instead of throwing them away. Join your local ‘freecycle’ group on line.

Remember - together we can make a difference.

photos by peacesojourner