Guest Author - Jennifer Minekheim

These days, a topic on many peoples’ minds is “going green”. To be “green” means that you are living in a manner that is not harmful to the environment, and may in fact be helping it. People all over the world are trying to go green by buying products made of non-toxic and/or renewable resources. Some examples may be cleaning products made up of non-toxic ingredients, or products made of bamboo or recycled glass and paper. A common catchphrase associated with this movement is “Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle”.

How does this relate to the Living Simply lifestyle? Contrary to what a famous frog once said, it can actually be easy to be green! Do you want to help the environment, but don't know how to get started? You don't have to begin with any radical changes. Here are some easy ways to cut down on waste by finding second uses for items you already have, as well as decreasing your use of disposable goods.

Let’s begin by focusing on paper products. Technology is wonderful in many ways, but sometimes creates a lot of waste. Do you ever print something off your computer only to have a page come out with only a few words on it? Sometimes we don’t realize that the bibliographic information or other notes not pertinent to the article or recipe we’re printing will print out as well. Use the “print preview” option whenever possible. You may be able to save paper by deleting something that you don’t need anyway.

If you don’t catch it, use it for scratch paper or feed it back in to the printer again, using the other side. You can also save any unimportant papers you have that are empty on one side, and staple them together to form a pad. These are great to use for shopping lists, directions, etc. To help keep in touch with your busy family, buy a small magnetic dry erase board for the refrigerator. You can use it for “honey do” lists, menu planning, or to just make communication easier, by avoiding the use of paper notes that get dirty or thrown away by mistake.

Paper towels and napkins are very convenient, but create a lot of waste. Try to use dishcloths whenever possible. They come in a variety of materials; a type for any task. For deep cleaning chores, you can also keep a rag-bag, made up of old ripped cotton t-shirts or towels too ratty to hang up anymore.

I’m sure you’ve seen the canvas shopping bags on sale everywhere lately. While they are great for small trips, it may not always be feasible to use just canvas bags. If you do need to use paper or plastic bags, try to reuse them whenever possible. We have an elastic fabric bag made to hold plastic bags that hangs in our closet. We use them in the small bathroom trash bin and to bring my lunch to work. Many grocery stores also have recycling bins especially for those bags; just bring back your clean and dry bags to the store that gave them to you!

Food containers such as mayonnaise and spaghetti sauce jars, or candy and mint tins are great things to use again. Are you a crafter or a handyman? Before you go out and buy an organizer for all your odds and ends, check your recycling bin! A mayonnaise jar is great for holding buttons or nails. Mint tins are good for holding paperclips, pushpins, straight pins or needles. You could put together a little sewing or first aid kit, perfect for travel. You know those tall cylindrical tins you get during the holidays, usually filled with shortbread cookies? My boyfriend uses them to keep loose change. It helps him save money and keeps things a lot neater around our house. No more pennies in the couch cushions!

Are you addicted to shoe shopping? Put the shoeboxes in your dresser drawers to help organize your socks and underwear. They’re also a good size to hold CDs. Do you use a lot of plastic freezer and storage bags? You can wash them out and reuse them, just make sure you dry them thoroughly so they don’t collect bacteria. Are you a big coffee drinker? Bring your favorite mug to work with you, or else use an insulated travel mug. You’ll probably enjoy your coffee more, and cut down on trash too! If you must use a cup from the coffee house, use a reusable sleeve to protect your hands. You can buy them on the internet or at stores like Linens and Things or Bed, Bath and Beyond. They come in different insulated fabrics or silicone and all kinds of pretty designs and colors.

There are too many great things you can do to list in one article. For the things you can’t reuse, sell, or donate, make sure you check with your local recycling company to see if it can be recycled. They are adding more items to their lists every day, so don’t assume it has to go in the trash. There are many things in life we don’t have any control over. Buying items with less packaging materials, reusing items whenever possible, and recycling them when it’s not is something that we can all do. It can make a big difference, so let’s get started!