Hand-me-downs can be a fantastic way to recycle gently used clothes. Let's be honest: A current wardrobe can be costly, and do we really need all of that "stuff"? Don’t get me wrong, I go shopping all the time to check out the current trends in color, styling and even new technology with fabrics, but I’m finally somewhat past wanting (or needing) to have the absolute latest look found on the rack. It finally sunk in that too many of those fantastic hot items that I couldn’t live without are still in my closet a year later, tags in tact. And I know I’m not alone on this one.
For me, shopping has become something I look forward to when I have something specific I want to find. But for other times, I am very flexible and creative. That's when opening a bag of hand-me-downs is actually fun! You really never know what you will find. From time to time, a treasured goodie even prompts us to ask the donor, "Are you sure you want to part with this?" But typically the old adage is true: One person’s trash is another’s gold… And often most rewarding is the glee on the face of someone to whom I’ve returned the favor by offering a bag of goodies that have been plucked from my closet.
Just think about hand-me-downs as a win-win: Besides the fun of giving and receiving new treasures, cleaning out closets and passing along garments can mean savings in our pockets—and also less of a drain on energy production and resources, smaller carbon imprints and less waste. More women, men and children being clothed through little effort and simple acts of kindness—how awesome is that? With the change of seasons right now, why not clean out your closet and organize a swap with your friends? Or make a donation to one of the many reputable charities that clothe needy families?
Now that’s recycling at its best!
Last Saturday, I had the pleasure and good fortune to stop by my hometown’s first Green Fair to see what my neighbors are working on and what they have to offer concerning all things green. To say the least, I was very proud to see the teenagers and a couple of fourth graders leading the way. Kids are the future, no joke!
These phenomenal kids enthusiastically presented their grassroots approach to green education outreach with GREEN (Get Ready for Environmental Education Now). This got me to thinking... if these incredible kids can think globally and outside of the box, so can everyone. Still charged by their efforts, I decided to check out some of the innovative green ideas and initiatives presented on the Internet. I was amazed at how many there are—in fact, the list is endless. There are so many neat and interesting companies doing their best to make an impact.
One company in particular really caught my attention: Earth Aid Enterprises, whose logo is, "Smart for your wallet. Smart for your world." From what I learned, they are focusing on providing sensible home energy-efficiency solutions for all Americans. EAE’s goal is to reduce America's greenhouse gas emissions by an amount equivalent to removing 1,000,000 cars from the road. In order to do that, they have created a kit (which is customized for the homeowner, apartment dweller and even student) that can help us equip our homes with energy-efficient products. One of the things I love about the site is that as you shop, the site calculates how much you can expect to save on your energy bill. Check them out at EarthAidKit.com.
I am through buying conventional wrapping paper. I can't believe I just said that, but it's true! I'm turning over a new leaf effective immediately.
I have recycled brown paper shopping bags and wrapping paper from gifts received that I always reuse, so I am set. I know I can do it because this past Christmas, my daughter, Toby, and I wrapped all of our gifts by reusing the tissue, boxes and ribbons from previous holidays and no one seemed to care. In fact, everyone liked the idea when I told them what I had done!
Toby and I have quite the system going: She lets me do the sometimes complicated task of wrapping the gift (brown paper can be stiff), then she gets to doodle her creation on the package, and voila! Her efforts always make the present even more special and unique to the recipient.
This is a worthwhile change that is an easy commitment for most people. Your gifts will have a personalized look, and before long, you'll have your friends doing it too! I have found that as long as I have a good attitude about the whole conservation movement, those around me do too. Many of my friends and colleagues have really responded to my eco habits and have made changes in their lives accordingly. Now talk about grass roots!
Knowing that my new resolution will positively impact the environment impresses my daughter and makes me proud. Join me; this one’s easy!
Earth Hour 2008!
Listen up all greenies and environmentally conscious business owners: The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has launched a dramatic call to action in an effort to raise awareness of climate change and show how joining together can make an enormous impact on the earth. On Saturday, March 29, 2008, individuals, businesses and local government officials in Atlanta, Phoenix, San Francisco and Chicago will join cities around the world—including Bangkok, Copenhagen, Manila, Sydney and Toronto—to encourage citizens to turn off all non-essential lights from 8 to 9 p.m. local time.
In addition to turning off lights, Earth Hour participants are being asked to replace older light bulbs with highly efficient compact fluorescent bulbs and to pledge to take actions to reduce their energy consumption on a daily basis. WWF’s corporate partners have not only pledged to turn off all non-essential lights during Earth Hour, but have also agreed to identify long-term ways to reduce energy usage.
Hello, New York City! Why aren’t we on the list of this year’s participants? Crazy that we’re not! Didn’t someone at the mayor’s office get the memo from the WWF announcing the success of last year’s inaugural Earth Hour in Sydney, Australia, where more than 2.2 million people threw their lights for an hour, resulting in a 10% drop in energy usage… (double what had been predicted)?
(Okay, okay, it happens—memos get lost from time to time)… so why don’t we show our true colors and go black for an hour in solidarity with the world this Saturday? Then, we can make a conscious effort to turn off all of our business lights at night and reduce personal light usage in order to take a real stand on this issue, and not on just one day a year! Let’s show the world how New Yorkers can impact energy usage. Now that’s something to get excited about!
You can learn more about Earth Hour and sign up at www.earthhour.org.
The other morning I was waiting in the freezing cold at my local bus stop for the express into the city, and a school-mom buddy passed by in her car screaming kudos to me for traveling by public transportation. As she shouted, "How cool are you?!" I had to laugh, because I know she's happy to see that I am not only talking the talk, but actually walking the green walk in my hectic everyday life.
So here I gladly sit at the bus stop, a mom on the edge of green, striving to make a meaningful impact while carbon offsetting as a mass-transit babe, drinking tea from my 3X-reused Starbucks drinking cup made with 10% post-consumer recycled fiber and its cup sleeve made with 60% post-consumer recycled fiber. Onward and upward!
