Environmental Practices (My Journey From Red to Green)
In the past few years, I have been implementing an eco-plan for phasing out a variety of unsustainable, environmentally unsound practices. I not only strive to make both my indoor and outdoor environment a safe one, but I am minimizing my carbon impact. Some of these measures were fairly simple and natural to my lifestyle such as taking public transit or recycling. Other measures have involved more dramatic changes and start-up costs such as replacing all cleaning supplies and personal hygiene products with natural alternatives that are free of toxic petrochemicals, using a six-step water filtration system, and a four cylinder carbon air purifier.
We also shop locally when possible, and insist on organic foods that are pesticide and GMO-free, available at our local co-op. In addition, I am growing a large array of vegetables (all from certified organic seeds), which include this season carrots, onions, potatoes, tomatoes, beans, asparagus, and shallots. I hope to plant in the mix some herbs, kale, and dill cucumbers (yes, I am going to learn the art of pickling!). Next year, I plan to plot a bit more of the garden to include spinach (which I find to be a more worthwhile replacement for nutrient-poor lettuce). UPDATE: the harvest was good for 2012, although the beets and carrots didn't prosper; plenty of potatoes, tomatoes, kale, and a few cukes. Just planted garlic around the plot sentinel perimeter to act as natural pest control. Saw my very first horn-worm which are pretty big, creepy, and tenacious!
Our power consumption habits are very modest. We don’t run major appliances all that often. I am also excited for the eventual arrival of our new Prius (UPDATE: we got it and it's fantastic!). At present, our home and immediate environment is largely chemical-free, and our food is delicious, healthy, and safe.
Practices I live by:
1. Clean the house with vinegar: it’s a cheap and just as effective way of removing bacteria. Your house may smell like a fish and chip shack for an hour, but the smell fades quickly leaving no unnatural aroma.
2. Use baking soda as an alternative to toothpaste: not only does it limit exposure to fluoride, but it scours well. If you do not like the taste of baking soda, there are natural toothpastes that use various herbs for natural flavouring.
3. Can I buy that locally?: where possible, I try to buy local produce and goods to lessen the amount of transport required. I have a good friend who is into permaculture and sustainable farming, and who has his own small pesticide-free and organic farm. I would rather buy eggs from someone like him than one of those big hen-mills any day.
4. Grow your own: nothing offsets the costs of organic food better than growing your own supply. It’s also good exercise and can be quite rewarding.
5. Consume less: we’re not big shoppers, so for us it is easy. Every time you purchase something, ask how far did it have to travel to get here? What was the fuel consumption required?
6. Buy for quality, not price: when looking for clothing, it is worth buying a well made garment at ten times the price as one would find it at a Wal-Mart that will last fifteen times longer.
7. Zero perfumes, colognes, unnatural laundry detergents, dryer sheets, etc.: there are safer and healthier alternatives that work just as well and limit exposure to harmful chemicals that can precipitate environmental sensitivities in others. Worried about static in the dryer? Use tinfoil. Using soap in the shower? There are plenty of great, unscented soaps that do the job (and, additionally, leave no greasy film: try an olive oil soap bar).
8. Conserve energy: this is easily done by shutting off lights not in use or making use of foldable drying racks instead of just shoving everything into the dryer. If possible, use an eco setting on the dishwasher.
9. Can I get from A to B by bus or train?: patronizing public transit is many times the best way to go. Since we’re trading in a somewhat eco-friendly car for an even friendlier one, go for hybrids. When shopping, make less but more substantial trips.
10. Reduce plastic dependency: we strive to buy things that do not use excessive amounts of packaging, and always have our cloth bags ready when shopping.
UPDATES
2013: Last year we did manage to buy a hybrid (A bright orange Toyota Prius-c). In terms of gas consumption, it can go about 1200 km on a small tank of gas, and relies mostly on the battery for inner city driving.
Not all of our goals have been achieved, and this for a lot of circumstantial reasons. We still haven't removed the carpet, and I still every once in a while nibble on processed foods. It is the beginning of planting season, and last year's harvest was pretty good for my first time out.
In our continuing efforts to remove chemicals and fragranced products, my wife has learned how to make laundry detergent that is just as good as store brands, but uses very cheap ingredients (soap flakes, washing powder, etc).
The first fruit of the 2012 harvest: organic roma tomato