The BAG project

Have you ever made it to the check-out at the store and realized your bags are in the car or you forgot them at home?  Don't you just hate that?

The BAG project is an attempt at helping communities share their re-usable bags with one another.  A concept similar to "borrowing a penny from the jar".  Anyone is welcome to take a bag from the hook and anyone is welcome to donate or return a bag to the hook.

Look for The BAG project on facebook and receive updates.

John Perkins - America's Secret Empire

Plastic to oil

check out this link: http://ourworld.unu.edu/en/plastic-to-oil-fantastic/ to find out how trashed plastic can be recycled into oil

check out this blog post on eartheasy.com and this site: no impact project to get inspired and join me for the January challenge.

Improving the ways I use water

To be honest, I find it very difficult to conserve water.  Taking a shower, flushing the toilet and even drinking water from the tap are luxuries I have enjoyed my whole life.  Changing the way I use water is more difficult than conserving electricity or garbage.  However, becoming aware of my water use has helped me make small changes.

Taking a closer look at my water waste has motivated me to do two simple things:

1.  Shut the water off between uses:  While we soap up our hands (my 2 year old takes a long time with soap) I turn the water off.  In the shower, while I shave my legs or wash my hair I now turn the water off.  The kids have become aware, and we often hear them shouting "don't waste the water" or asking "can I pee on top of your pee?".

2.  Collect the clean water going down the drain.  In the shower I place a bucket under the faucet while I'm waiting for the water to get hot.  Each time I take a shower I collect enough water to later water my plants and mop my floor or let the kids play with outside.  In the kitchen sink, when I'm rinsing veggies I use a bowl to collect water.  That bowl of water gets used to wash more veggies or to wet a cloth for cleaning or for the kids to play with outside.  I also collect the water in the kitchen sink when I'm waiting for the water to get hot.  It is truly amazing how much water I can collect and re-use in one day.  Often it is more than I know what to do with.

On my list of items to purchase is a rain barrel.  I plan to use that water for the garden, the grass, and even washing my car.

I'm amazed at the amount of water I use together with my family.

FREECYCLE

I first heard about FREECYCLE in Amherst MA.  It's a grassroots movement of giving and getting things for free in your own town to help keep usable things out of the landfill.  Just a year ago or so, a friend told me he got an ergo baby carrier from freecycle.  I signed up by joining the yahoo group, and ever since have been getting the emails describing the items people are OFFERING and some people even post WANTED items.  The first thing I got on freecycle was a huge garbage bag filled with girl clothes for my 5 year old.  The woman even delivered it to me (although usually the person receiving makes the trip).  The clothes were in perfect condition, neatly folded and some even still had price tags.  I was so excited. 

I was amazed at some of the great things people were letting go of.  A wonderful wooden doll house for my kids with all the wooden furniture and people, several other toys, two large rolling suitcases and a ping pong table to name a few.  When we decided to move to Long Island I used freecycle to unload a bike trailer, a microwave, a baby changing table, a stroller, other furniture, misc. wine glasses and kitchen ware, tools, toys and so on.  The process took only the time to write an email and then respond to the interested replies and set up a time to meet. 

I recently discovered that my new home town in Long Island also has a freecycle.  The "East Suffolk NY freecycle network".  I joined the group yesterday.  Today's freecycle posts were pool ladders, vhs kids movies, decking and other home improvement materials. 

The best thing about freecycle in my opinion is that you can get rid of one thing at a time, at your own schedule.  A much easier system that running a weekend yard sale.