Ways Moms Are Going Green

For our Martha Stewart Giveaway (that ends on the 22nd with unlimited entries!) we asked Busy Mom readers how they are currently “going green,” any tips they may have, or what they wish they could do more of. We’ve had some great responses so far and hopefully these can inspire you to make some changes in your everyday life! So here’s what some of our readers have said…

• I use microfiber cleaning cloths instead of paper towels to clean with
• I compost food scraps instead of throwing them in the garbage.
• We eat on proper plates w/ real silverware and cloth napkins for all of our meals now.
• We just arranged a new “Trash Can” system under our sink so we can easily sort recyclables and take them to be recycled!
• Unplug anything not in use
• I make my own yogurt. It cuts down on all of those plastic containers. I store it in glass jars.
• I make Christmas wrapping paper out of brown bags. Every year all the presents match.
• Instead of throwing out faded dark colored clothes, I buy RIT dye and re-dye the items. They look brand new.
• I am a member of freecycle. I give away my unwanted but still usable items to other members. This keeps things out of the landfills & helps someone who would otherwise have to buy these items.
• I give already read magazines to my children’s school and they use them for things like art projects.
• I have used cloth diapers for all (5)of my children.
• I recently went to catalogchoice and stopped receiving tons of catalogs I wasn’t even looking at! Easy and fast!
• I’ve set up most of my bills to come electronically to my email. Yippee, less mail!
• I walk my daughter to school even when it’s raining.
• We put bricks in the tank of the toilet to use less water with each flush.
• We buy as much of our food locally at farmers markets!
• I use a low-flow shower head!
• We make notepads out of the blank sides of printed paper
• I have tried to stop running around in my car every day. I’ve been trying to coordinate errands to allow me to drive fewer miles and consume less gas.
• I brought some new trashcans to work and started recycling white paper, water bottles and cans. I’m shocked how much these things add up in an office!!!
• I refill our soap dispensers. The Method refill pouches use 80+% less plastic than buying new dispensers.

Here are some of our Green articles:

• Eco-friendly Gift Wrapping Tips
• 10 Earth-Friendly Changes Moms Can Do This Holiday Season
• New Tradition: Holiday Swap!
• How To Green Your Home
• Greenheart: Fair to Producers and Good to The Earth