Think Green
In order to think green, people must learn to think for themselves. People have been told over the years that many products were good for them and they would be younger, handsomer and better control birth if they took the products. Thirty or forty years later, the people who took the products have heart problems, lung problems, unwanted facial hair and a dozen other ills. To do this, think first for yourself. Do the research and decide for yourself if this is a good idea or more misinformation from “experts” who always tell us what to do and think.
In order to think green, look around and write down what is not natural and what is chemical or synthetic. The upholstery on the furniture, the carpet fibers, the clothing and shoes we wear, even the foods we eat should come from sustainable sources. This simply means it keeps growing. Corn, for example, is now used as fuel for cars, furniture, clothing, shoes and medicines, but it keeps growing. Get the idea?
The next step would be to see if the budget will let people go green. Green-manufactured items are expensive. Unfortunately, not many people know how to turn corn into a sofa throw or a pair of shoes. However, not all is lost. Many retailers are now converting to sustainable-only merchandise. Look online to discover retailers in your area who sell green products.
If the budget won’t permit, do what you can. Think green before you buy. If you’re redoing the house, pull up the carpet and use hard wood. Reupholstering the furniture might be cheaper than buying new, so search for a sustainable sources textiles store. If you’re shopping for clothing, research which retailers sell sustainable sources clothing. Research, also, which fabric stores sell these things and make the clothing yourself. If you don’t have a sewing machine, tailors will be glad to help.
We can all do this if we think for ourselves, admit to the problem and do what we can to help.
Category: Green
Subscribe
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it.
I’m so glad you touched on the fact that there is a much better solution than more recycling! It always bugs me that people think as long as they dump their cans and bottles into the recycling bin they are ‘being green’ and saving the Earth, and yet they continue to buy excessively packaged goods and use plastic grocery bags and all. REDUCE is the first word in the mantra for a reason.
I recently bought canvas tote bags to use for all my shopping. I even bring one along to the mall when I go to buy clothes or cosmetics. I figure I have to do something to help combat all the pollution and waste going into landfills. Reusing things as many times as possible is the best bet, and never buying new things until you absolutely need them.
You mention in your post taking hard Tupperware containers to the store to put loose produce in, but what happens when they weigh it at checkout. Would they take all your cherries or grape tomatoes out of the container and weight them? Sometimes you have to err on the side of practicality. Lots of produce doesn’t need a container at all.