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Healthier Homes, Healthier You, Healthier Planet

September 12, 2008

Part II

So How Do I Get There?

Its about lifestyle that is the focus that each individual needs to make. Sustainable Lifestyles include obvious, the 3R’s Reducing, Reusing and Recycling.

Lets start with reducing. Our resources on this planet are being overtaken by man. We (in the United States) use 1/3 of the world’s resources, yet we are only 3% of the world’s population. That is a bit of excess is it not? Our society would like you to believe in obscenest consumerism. Buying a new object because the old one is not good anymore. It used to be vogue to be thrifty, crafty and handy. The things you do use can often be used over and over again – either for the same purpose or for something totally new. Be creative. Not only are you cutting back on your resource use; you’ll also end up with some cool eye-catching conversation starters.

Recycling is something that we all do (or should); Set aside bins in your home to separate and collect recyclable materials, including newspapers, white paper, clear and colored glass, plastic water and milk bottles, aluminum, cardboard, batteries and fluorescent light bulbs. Check with your local trash-collection company, municipal government or business directory to find out what recycling services are available. Be valiant with regards to your recycling efforts. IF your town does not collect product A, look for places that do. You may even be surprised to learn that you can earn a little cash for proper recycling!

Packing peanuts and other loose fill will sit in a landfill for centuries, but there are lots of places you can bring them for recycling. Call the Peanut Hotline at 1-800-828-2214.

Many computers, monitors, cell phones and other electronics include toxic materials that should not sit in landfills, and you’d be surprised how many retailers and other companies will take your old gadgets for recycling. The Environmental Protection Agency can help you find local electronics recyclers.

And that’s not all: Did you know you can recycle athletic shoes? Mattresses? Dry-cleaning hangers and plastic? Here are seven items you didn’t know you could recycle.

Lets talk about reusing. There are all types of reusing that can be done and the one that brings us here today is Remodeling. Right? What is the most earth-friendly thing you can do with your home when contemplating a renovation? Yes it is reusing your existing home, finding existing materials that can be-repurposed and locating materials for your new home from sources that include recycled content. These building renovations have been given a name. GREEN BUILDINGS

ah! clean green
Anastasia Harrison, AIA, IAQA, LEED
Shaklee Independant Distributor
Office/Cell 908-591-1945
email: greenclean@homeharrison.com
web: www.shaklee.net/anastasia/getclean

Posted by AnastasiaHarrison | Filed Under Mothers musings 

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