Comments on: Going Green?

By: John Mennell

John Mennell — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 21:50:47 +0000

I you or others who read your column would like to help recycle magazines for literacy, please visit magazineliteracy.org

By: Keri

Keri — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 15:12:54 +0000

As for the clothes, another option is to buy from thrift stores or consignment stores. Many people get rid of perfectly good clothes (including name brands!) that can be reused again.

A side note, organic clothes tend to last longer, especially if it’s made with hemp. Old Navy clothes, for example, tend to wear out in a short time. In the end what you paid for your Old Navy clothes over a couple of years would be the same as what you paid for that one organic outfit that you are still using. Lots of us have a closet full of clothes. We could buy less clothes and make do with a limited wardrobe with interchangable pieces.

By: Sara G

Sara G — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 20:49:13 +0000

There was a post at The Lactivist about how she has gotten her family eating mostly organic for not a lot more money.

I’ve been replacing lightbulbs with the fluorescent ones as they die. We would love to get solar power for the house, but don’t think it’ll be something we can afford anytime soon.

My MacBook uses almost no power when I close it’s lid… and I usually unplug it in case there is a power surge. If it stays unplugged a long time it just goes into deep hibernation.

By: Catharine

Catharine — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 17:10:37 +0000

I, too, am guilty of leaving my laptop on 24/7. Mine is incredibly slow and on the older side. I am afraid to shut it down and discover that it won’t turn back on!

As for external hard drive/ usb card back up, I won’t do it. The data I backed up a month ago is ancient compared to what I’ve accumulated this month. I’ve decided to keep all of my e-mails on Gmail, so that when my comptuer DOES crash, it will be less painful knowing all of my emails are safe.

MAYBE when I get the next laptop, I’ll shut it down more often. While they’re at it, they should offer computers in a green color as a reminder!

By: Noelle

Noelle — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 17:03:30 +0000

Another suggestion is to reuse the paper bags you pick up at Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods. They’re great for bringing back for more groceries. I also like going to farmers’ markets for the organic produce. I didn’t realize how ‘green’ I was living until I examined my living choices. I live in a small studio (about 275 square feet), and I don’t run the AC in the summer because I usually leave the windows open. In the winter, I leave the bathroom door open so that the warm heat from the shower can keep the place warm. I prefer taking the Metro instead of driving which seems like a tremendous pain to do these days.

I also don’t buy processed foods because they have god-knows-what-kind-of-chemical-crap in them. I always buy used books, never new books.

I do have to change my habits regarding my laptop because I almost always leave it on.

By: Catharine

Catharine — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 16:40:13 +0000

I love the concept of “Going Green” these days. It’s neat to realize that our generation will set the precedent for the future. It is more challenging for the older generations to change their lifestyles and adopt alternative methods. We have the unique opportunity to be good role models to secure tomorrow’s environment.

I purchased a lunchbox tupperware container ($8 dollars) and it is not only helping the environment, it is saving me money. Admittedly, I feel somewhat juveinile toting around a plastic “lunchbox.” All I need to do is cover it in cartoon stickers and I’ll really fit in at the local elementary school cafeteria. Maybe you and I can bring the “cool” back in adult lunch boxes. Any suggestions?

Public transportation? Hallelujah. Yes, I complain about the crowds on the Metro or the occassional 15-minute extended travel time due to “sharing tracks/ sick passengers,” but it’s a great time to read the newspaper, challenge the brain with a sudoku puzzle, and/or decompress. I don’t know about you, but I think if I were to drive down I-395 in the mornings, I’d feel so much pent-up road rage by the time I arrived at the office. (This is coming from someone who LOVES to drive.) Instead, I emerge from the Metro station ready to embrace the day.