Comments on: My Green Resolutions for 2009 http://babyminding.com/2009/01/01/my-green-resolutions-for-2009/ Natural, organic resource for green-minded, discerning parents with a focus on organic eco-friendly living, reducing toxins around the home, and healthy eating Thu, 03 May 2012 12:30:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Dawn http://babyminding.com/2009/01/01/my-green-resolutions-for-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-1399 Dawn Mon, 08 Jun 2009 05:00:59 +0000 http://babyminding.com/?p=586#comment-1399 As per the carpet (though I know 2009 is HALFWAY over!!! Who'da thought?!), one thing my fiance and I do is cut them up into squares and use the squares under couch legs and such so as to protect the floors (and I have severe allergies related to carpets as well). Also, you can ask around and see if any childcare centers are looking for slightly used carpet squares or area rugs or such. Donating them to places like that could probably come as a great welcome. Worst case you can either recycle them at a recycling center (if yours does carpets) or see if someone will buy it off of craigslist or a yardsale or even the freecycle website you recommended!!! As per the carpet (though I know 2009 is HALFWAY over!!! Who’da thought?!), one thing my fiance and I do is cut them up into squares and use the squares under couch legs and such so as to protect the floors (and I have severe allergies related to carpets as well). Also, you can ask around and see if any childcare centers are looking for slightly used carpet squares or area rugs or such. Donating them to places like that could probably come as a great welcome. Worst case you can either recycle them at a recycling center (if yours does carpets) or see if someone will buy it off of craigslist or a yardsale or even the freecycle website you recommended!!!

]]> By: Mandy B http://babyminding.com/2009/01/01/my-green-resolutions-for-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-1232 Mandy B Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:51:47 +0000 http://babyminding.com/?p=586#comment-1232 ok, one last comment....try this site I found www.carpetrecovery.org/ ok, one last comment….try this site I found
http://www.carpetrecovery.org/

]]> By: Mandy B http://babyminding.com/2009/01/01/my-green-resolutions-for-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-1231 Mandy B Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:42:45 +0000 http://babyminding.com/?p=586#comment-1231 Re: Josh Steele comment I think the point of getting rid of the carpet is to be done with the pvc, phthalates, and other chemicals manufactured into them. These chemicals stick around for a long time, so why put it in your soil where you may one day plant a vegetable garden. Re: Josh Steele comment

I think the point of getting rid of the carpet is to be done with the pvc, phthalates, and other chemicals manufactured into them. These chemicals stick around for a long time, so why put it in your soil where you may one day plant a vegetable garden.

]]> By: Jennifer State http://babyminding.com/2009/01/01/my-green-resolutions-for-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-1226 Jennifer State Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:07:18 +0000 http://babyminding.com/?p=586#comment-1226 Tela, I emailed my friend the info about green cleaning. Thanks, Jennifer Tela,
I emailed my friend the info about green cleaning. Thanks,
Jennifer

]]> By: Theresa http://babyminding.com/2009/01/01/my-green-resolutions-for-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-1225 Theresa Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:47:08 +0000 http://babyminding.com/?p=586#comment-1225 Another great reason for #2, Use Rechargeable Batteries, is that rechargeable batteries, unlike alkaline (non-rechargeable) batteries, can be recycled after they've worn out. Call2Recycle.org is a nonprofit, nationwide program that enlists retail locations and community recycling centers to act as collection sites. It's completely free. Call2Recycle provides the collection boxes and pays for shipping and processing. The rechargeable battery manufacturers fund the program. It's available in the U.S. and Canada, completely FREE. Everything gets processed in a heat smelting process, nothing ends up in the landfills. Another great reason for #2, Use Rechargeable Batteries, is that rechargeable batteries, unlike alkaline (non-rechargeable) batteries, can be recycled after they’ve worn out. Call2Recycle.org is a nonprofit, nationwide program that enlists retail locations and community recycling centers to act as collection sites. It’s completely free. Call2Recycle provides the collection boxes and pays for shipping and processing. The rechargeable battery manufacturers fund the program. It’s available in the U.S. and Canada, completely FREE. Everything gets processed in a heat smelting process, nothing ends up in the landfills.

]]> By: Josh Steele http://babyminding.com/2009/01/01/my-green-resolutions-for-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-1219 Josh Steele Fri, 02 Jan 2009 13:58:26 +0000 http://babyminding.com/?p=586#comment-1219 #9 - My wife used the carpet we tore out of our house as a barrier for weeds in the garden. We put mulch on top of it, and cut holes where we were planting. We didn't have any weeds in that part of the garden all year. I thought that was quite useful. Also, if you need help picking out some floors that would work a little better for you, give us a call at Carpet Express, (800) 922-5582. We've got some excellent deals in wood flooring right now, you could spend as little as $1.59 per square foot. #9 – My wife used the carpet we tore out of our house as a barrier for weeds in the garden. We put mulch on top of it, and cut holes where we were planting. We didn’t have any weeds in that part of the garden all year. I thought that was quite useful.

Also, if you need help picking out some floors that would work a little better for you, give us a call at Carpet Express, (800) 922-5582. We’ve got some excellent deals in wood flooring right now, you could spend as little as $1.59 per square foot.

]]> By: Mandy B http://babyminding.com/2009/01/01/my-green-resolutions-for-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-1218 Mandy B Fri, 02 Jan 2009 05:18:33 +0000 http://babyminding.com/?p=586#comment-1218 Hey Tela, First off congratulations on making a list of all the things you would like to do to make 2009 a year of less-is-more. Not only are you creating a healthier environment for your family, you are teaching by doing. I have a few suggestions/considerations...things my husband and I have done that have helped us reduce our footprint: first off, since you own your home, you may want to consider converting your plumbing to a gray-water system whereby sink, dishwater, and laundry water goes to a system used for outdoor water purposes (*You must then use ONLY products safe for this type of system...check the web). We have done this with our laundry but because we rent we can't re-route the plumbing otherwise. Secondly, my husband and I started a budget that we have been sticking with for about four months now. I can't tell you how much this has reduced our eating out in particular. It's amazing how quickly it adds up. Our rules are 75$ per person per week and it includes all expenses other than groceries and gas. If you don't spend all of it, then it rolls over...therefore, there is incentive in saving up for that pair of jeans. The rules can be made to tailor each families needs, but the point was to reduce eating out and be more mindful of where we are spending our money. Finally, I am not sure if there is a Co-Op or Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) in your area, but we belong to one and get great fruits and veggies year-round all the while supporting our local organic farmers. Another bonus is that you volunteer a portion of your time as part of the program. I love it and have learned a ton about cooking, gardening and why it's important to eat local and in season. Because of what I have learned through our CSA I was able to build my own garden and ate a beautiful salad tonight from it. Good luck with your resolutions and thanks for hosting such a great website! I look forward to reading more in 2009 :) Mandy Hey Tela,
First off congratulations on making a list of all the things you would like to do to make 2009 a year of less-is-more. Not only are you creating a healthier environment for your family, you are teaching by doing.

I have a few suggestions/considerations…things my husband and I have done that have helped us reduce our footprint: first off, since you own your home, you may want to consider converting your plumbing to a gray-water system whereby sink, dishwater, and laundry water goes to a system used for outdoor water purposes (*You must then use ONLY products safe for this type of system…check the web). We have done this with our laundry but because we rent we can’t re-route the plumbing otherwise. Secondly, my husband and I started a budget that we have been sticking with for about four months now. I can’t tell you how much this has reduced our eating out in particular. It’s amazing how quickly it adds up. Our rules are 75$ per person per week and it includes all expenses other than groceries and gas. If you don’t spend all of it, then it rolls over…therefore, there is incentive in saving up for that pair of jeans. The rules can be made to tailor each families needs, but the point was to reduce eating out and be more mindful of where we are spending our money. Finally, I am not sure if there is a Co-Op or Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) in your area, but we belong to one and get great fruits and veggies year-round all the while supporting our local organic farmers. Another bonus is that you volunteer a portion of your time as part of the program. I love it and have learned a ton about cooking, gardening and why it’s important to eat local and in season. Because of what I have learned through our CSA I was able to build my own garden and ate a beautiful salad tonight from it.

Good luck with your resolutions and thanks for hosting such a great website! I look forward to reading more in 2009 :)
Mandy

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