What have you done to help the Environment?

As we all know, whatever little effort we do is miniscule in the grand scheme of things, but some of us do anyway. So what did you do?

*I recycle most things. Scrap paper, receipts, newspapers, plastic bottles, used containers, and sometimes I try to wash the food containers and stick it in the recycling bin. It seemed fanatical at the beginning, but I got used to it and it makes me feel better!

*I also looove plants and have about 10 houseplants. sure, they steal my O2 at night, but in the day, they detoxify the living space and make the place so welcoming!

*Donate old stuff!

*I try not to take plastic bags from supermarket counters. Though those people look at me like I'm silly! No, I'm not trying to save their organization money!

*Try to use organic products and switch off the tap - I seldom waste water! Turn of appliances (ie comp, fan etc) when not in use! I know of people who leave their computers on 24/7 just because they're lazy to turn it on again!

BUTtttttt....

*I like the air-conditioning

*I like driving

...Soo, I guess this cancels out what I did before. But at least there is a bit of a balance.

==============================

So what have you done to save the environment, however little? Or are you a gung-ho environmentalist? Do share some tips!

Qbone

4/21/2011 2:45:51 AM | IP

52 years old male from Norway

Planetary Positions

All above

Plus I got rid of my cars 12 years ago and start using bicycles to move around for almost everything and everyday 365/24 no matter weather conditions.

dofacc

4/21/2011 7:56:30 AM | IP

Dumpy Old Fart

We use a pellet stove for heat. This makes our heat source 100% renewable.
Also do solar hot water.

spica

4/21/2011 11:57:15 AM | IP

｡*☆∴★ ∵★｡☆∵｡

Posted by Qbone
All above

Plus I got rid of my cars 12 years ago and start using bicycles to move around for almost everything and everyday 365/24 no matter weather conditions.

OMG *now* that's pushin' it!! No, just kidding, you are admirable, and deserve a medal for your effort to live simply and green!

spica

4/21/2011 11:59:38 AM | IP

｡*☆∴★ ∵★｡☆∵｡

Posted by dofacc
We use a pellet stove for heat. This makes our heat source 100% renewable.

Wow, haven't heard of that!

Posted by dofacc
Also do solar hot water.

Kewl!

I also read that Solar panes are cheap and easy to fix up - been thinkin of fixing some too! But gotta read more on it first.

dofacc

4/21/2011 4:58:09 PM | IP

Dumpy Old Fart

Yeah, they make the pellets that I burn out of such things as sawdust and waste wood. In times past this sort of stuff would go into landfills or be burned.

I live the the West/South West USA. We have millions of acres of dead/dying pine trees. They are dying of a particular type of beetle infection. What I am burning are pellets made of these dead trees. They are going to burn. Whether is be in the forest in which they grew, or in my stove, they are going to burn. May as well heat a house with them, don't you suppose.

And, as I like to point out, trees are 100% renewable. It is indeed a great way to heat that house. It isn't for everyone, but great for that house.

The solar hot water system cost about $3200 by the time we got it professionally installed, and all the tax breaks back. As I pointed out, I live in the West/South West of the USA, lots and lots and lots of free sunshine to be had around here.

dofacc

4/21/2011 5:11:14 PM | IP

Dumpy Old Fart

As for the time element, I spent approximately 5 minutes a day filling and checking. Pretty basic and easy stuff. Once or twice a month I have to empty the ash pan. When you burn this way, you reduce the volume of wood to an ash volume of maybe 1%. This would be a very conservative number on my part.

I do have to clean my chimney/vent pipe about once a year. A couple of hours there.
I have an ash trap at the bottom of my chimney that takes maybe 5 minutes a month to empty.

My stove, as do all I believe, have fairly heavy metal plates in it. The hot air circulates behind these. Ash accumulates behind where the hot air circulates. You should pull these plates out once a year and clean behind them. A couple of hours easy on that project.

One of the real draw backs are the pellets. I burn 3-4 tons a year. I buy they by the "pallet" load, which is 60, 40 pound bags. I have dry place to store them. That is the problem, you need a fairly large, dry space to store these large numbers.
I did see more and more places locally that are selling the bags of pellets in singles, rather than in whole pallets this year, though. It is a bit more pricy that way.
Speaking of price, with the current cost of natural gas in my area, I would actually pay less if I were burning natural gas. I find enough reward in feeling pure about heating my house with pellets that I will pay the pellet premium.

My stove is set up on a thermostat, so it starts and stops just like your regular stove would.
It is "Zero clearance," which means it only needs something like 4 inches of clearance between it and say a bookcase or wall. I have people sit right on it when it is going full bore cause it is so toasty warm, you see. So, placement really isn't all that difficult to arrange.

As I say, a pellet stove isn't for everyone. If you are reasonably handy however, it shouldn't be a problem for you.

dofacc

4/22/2011 9:34:15 AM | IP

Dumpy Old Fart

The cleaning and maintenance aspect isn't all that much more than you should be doing for say a natural gas furnace. Electric is way maintenance free, of course. Way expensive though.

The rest of it, storing bags of pellets for ready use, higher cost than natural gas, etc, are all draw backs.
Of course, the cost of natural gas will be increasing, so that factor may change in the not to distant future (futile optimism, it's an Aries thing you know).

venusianbull

4/24/2011 10:51:54 AM | IP

42 years old female from A Lush Meadow, US of A

In the dead of night, it's the anti-sig.

I keep a brick in the back of the toilet tank, we don't take showers that go on for days, I garden and put up many things that really aren't necessary to buy from the store. <--- same jars get used every year, less waste. When I can swing it I buy an entire hog from friends ( not supporting big agri-business..ditto for swapping what I do for things like venison and so on. ) and poke it in the freezer. And honestly it shakes out to around 69 cents per pound, yes even chops, hams, etc. Everything but the squeal. Eggs from a local woman, and really can you beat fresh eggs with an actual orange yolk? Those hens aren't stationary..they actually run around and gobble real bugs.
I don't use pesticides/sprays in my garden, nor on my fruiting trees and canes. Troll round for June bugs and other beasties with a pail of soap water.
I tried making our own dishwashing liquid, it didn't do as nice a job, but it made great hand slime for washing up. No harsh cleansers..baking soda, borax powder for scouring.
Furnace is over 96% efficient, though it is gas. So is my range. Lower level water heater.
Appliances off when not in use, no panic when off the tit during a thunderstorm or other. Just grab my oil lamps and put some coffee on to perk. Listen to the clock tick.
I don't buy paper toweling, use cloths for wiping up, cleaning. If something has a hole or other I'll patch it or darn it. Old toothbrushes are good for cleaning up little hard to reach areas.
Cast off clothing makes good quilts.
Natural lotions, soaps, etc. Yes I'll pay more but it's nice knowing nothing was tested on animals. Nothing propellant for hair or other.

dofacc

4/24/2011 5:05:49 PM | IP

Dumpy Old Fart

Oh, really, huh, you put the brick in the toilet tank, not in the back of your pants? Someone told me that was the way to do it, but I never really understood how it worked.

I also tend to buy my clothes at such high fashion places as Good Will. Reuse of all sorts of things is a really good idea. And for such a ragamuffin as I, it is in many cases a step up.

venusianbull

4/24/2011 9:59:31 PM | IP

42 years old female from A Lush Meadow, US of A

In the dead of night, it's the anti-sig.

LOL Ahhhh no, not in the back of your trousers. I've always scoured garage sales and places like Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc. for clothing. It made zero sense to me to pay retail for something with 3 children growing so quickly. ( Hmmm, 20 -50 dollars or 50 cents? CHOICES CHOICES ). I'm usually in work duds or comfy. Have things for 'nice' when the occasion calls, but really don't spend scads on self. It makes me feel guilty.

dofacc

4/25/2011 12:34:19 AM | IP

Dumpy Old Fart

I don't travel with much guilt. I am just cheap.
But, your point is right on. I pay $5 for a pair of what for me are very dressy pants at Goodwill. Why would I/should I pay more? And as I say, reuse of just about anything is a good thing for our environment.

venusianbull

4/25/2011 9:04:39 AM | IP

42 years old female from A Lush Meadow, US of A

In the dead of night, it's the anti-sig.

The guilt..it's a Mom thing. How dare I spend money when the children might need... ( need what? ).

ianthepisces

4/29/2011 9:16:06 PM | IP

31 years old male

i hunt animals...

More pages: 1 2

«Return to "Green Living & The Environment" Forum

Topic Options: