Not to look like a bandwagon jumper (have been into conservation for pretty much my entire life), but I thought I’d put together a list of links for “Green” products or services. I will add others as I find them.
- www.catalogchoice.org–this site allows you to opt out of various mailing lists.
- www.bookmooch.com–this one allows you to swap the books you don’t want any more for books you do want.
- www.geartrade.com–trade your used backpacking equipment.
- Backpacker Magazine’s Green Guide–guide to how to recycle old equipment, reduce your carbon footprint, and much more.
- Green Living Magazine–lots of great information and tips on, well, living green.
- Treehugger.com–More eco-tips.
- Makezine.com–make cool stuff from orinary household junk (especially good for people who have to entertain or teach school-aged small folks).
- LiveWell–ecologically friendly products.
- Freecycle.org–the Freecycle network–giving and getting things for free.
- Freegan.info–the great art of dumpster diving (aka Compacters/Compactors).
- Eco-friendly yarn–From Treehugger.com (I have to plug as many of my hobbies as possible).
Of course, check your tires, drive responsibly, turn off the water when you brush your teeth, use low-flow water fixtures, use energy star appliances, use better light bulbs, walk or ride your bike when possible, trip chain, carpool, and turn off lights when you’re not using them. Reuse grocery bags, compost what you can, buy and sell (or donate) second hand items, and repair what you can. After that, recycle what’s left, before it takes over your garage.
Slight tangents:
I recently found a really ugly sweater at Goodwill (another of my favorite places to go to reduce waste). It was hideous but made of good quality silk/nylon/wool blend yarn and able to be taken apart. I have taken it apart and rewound the yarn to be knit up into a different sweater later. Cool. I think the sweater cost about $4 US, which is a LOT less than that kind of yarn would normally set me back.
I also still have my original canvas grocery bag from the late 80s/early 90s when I was in 3rd or 4th grade. Awesome.
In the words of Red Green: Remember, I’m pulling for you. We’re all in this together.
The 3Rs
Submitted by Mom T (not verified) on Fri, 2008-07-11 19:03.
Don’t forget the WWII slogan: “Use it up, wear it out, make do, or do without.” Here are a couple of sites which I think are pretty interesting: http://unclutterer.com/ http://www.rawrob.com/ http://frugalforlife.com/ http://urbanhomestead.org/journal http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/ OK, so that was more than a *couple* of links. There are also “Countryside & Small Stock Journal”, “Mother Earth News”, and “Backwoods Home”, all of which have newstand/subscription editions as well as on-line sites. Best all-round books for learning to the simple life (IMHO) are Carla Emery’s “Encyclopedia of Country Living” (known informally at our house as the Green Cookbook) and Storey Publishing’s “Basic Country Skills”. Both books are great for homesteaders, suburbanites, urbanites…..basically anyone who wants to do for themself than wait around for government to take care of them.