Yesterday I told you about my history with money, today I thought I’d hit on my history of going green. I haven’t always been a “treehugger.” In fact most of my life I have been far from it. But this changed just 6 months ago, when I took a Social Ecology Class at UWO – the class was one of the most beneficial classes I have ever and will ever take. I learned so much! I didn’t want the class to end, I just wanted it to keep going, because I just wanted to soak up more information!
Editor’s Warning: Realized this was another long post, added sub-titles so you can skim as needed, but I do think it is worth reading all of it:)
In the Beginning…
When I first started the class, I didn’t even know what Social Ecology was. No clue. Turns out to be the study of societies effects on the environment and how we care for it. We studied within the Fox Valley area to see how we did. Sometimes it got too into “sociology” for me – I wish it was all about ecology, but it was very interesting. For the first couple months I still didn’t get the class, I just “got through it.” But then I read Collapse by Jared Diamond. The first chapter centers on Montana. And reading about all the effects man has had on that area, made me want to do something. After that everything just seemed to “click.” I got it! I wanted to take care of the Earth. I didn’t want to destroy it, like we’ve done to Montana (because of deforestation and habitat destruction).
Far From Green
But I had a lot of changing to do. My life before was far from green. I grew up in the disposable nation. Everything I ate, bought, did was disposable. We didn’t have a dishwasher, and we were lazy. So we used disposable EVERYTHING! Plates, napkins, tableware, I even started buying those foil baking pans so I wouldn’t have to use real pans! How horrible!
Disposable Water Bottles, Kool-Aid Packets, Aluminum Cans…
And we bought bottled water, pouches of Kool-Aid & canned soda constantly. We wouldn’t even grab a glass (no dirty dishes!) at home, we’d grab a soda or water. We went through so much waste. All of our food was bought in individual packages (ie 6-packs of Oreos, little chip bags, etc.). We wasted so much packaging!
Wasteful!
We also regularly wasted water, energy, had the heat on high, wasted gas (let our car idle) and did a lot of things that were bad for the environment. The only reason I did recycle was because it’s the law in Appleton, but I wasn’t very diligent about it, if I was too far away from the paper recycling, I’d just put it in the garbage.
Me = No Outdoors
And I have never been an “outdoorsy” person – which seems to go against caring for the environment if you don’t like spending time in it…but that has been changing. I always avoided going outside – “it’s too hot, or too cold.” But that is changing too, I am beginning to appreciate what God has created.
Shopping = Supporting Sweat Shops
I also love shopping. Love clothes, love shoes, love accessories, everything! So as we started learning more about being wasteful and buying fair trade, we began buying all used. Do you know what kind of conditions your clothes are made in? So before we bought anything – clothes, furniture, etc. We always looked for it used. I regularly shop my local thrift stores. I bought an air popper (because Microwave Popcorn isn’t healthy, because of the toxins released from the “non stick” on the inside of the bag) for $3.50 brand new, with instructions! I bought a PERFECT condition couch and loveseat for $350. All of our furniture was given to us or bought used.
Disposables be Gone!
So the first thing we did, was to get rid of the disposable. We used up the last paper plates, plastic cups, plastic bowls (even our cereal was served in disposable!), plasticware, papertowels and napkins. I donated all the foil pans to the church. We bought all cloth napkins (from thrift stores, so cheap! And much cuter). We switched to old rags in place of paper towels. And we used real plates, cups, pans and silverware. It was the easiest thing to switch to. Then we eventually switched to buying recycled toilet paper, tissues, even our toothbrushes are recycled!
Links to Click for More Info
I began consuming any information I could get my hands on about going green. Sites like Treehugger, GreenLAGirl, WorstedWitch, Grist, and WorldChanging taught me a lot. One of the biggest eye openers was finding my out my Ecological Footprint. They gave lots of tips too on how to change.
What I throw out goes back into the earth
From then I just started processing what I was putting in to the earth. Everything I was putting down the drain eventually got back into the water stream. Everything I was putting in my home, went into our air. Everything mattered! From this we started learning about eating organic food. We didn’t eat organic because of the health benefits (though it is better for you), we did it for the Earth benefits. By supporting organic food companies, we are supporting less pesticides being sprayed on God’s Green Earth. It wasn’t so much about us anymore. Then we began learning about eating locally (and going to the Farmer’s Market) and buying fairtrade. It all just started clicking, and overnight we were watching what we bought, where it was made, who distributed it, etc.
Beware of Greenwashing
We now have switched to earth friendly cleaning products too. I keep trying different brands to see what I like the best – so I haven’t figured it all out yet. And I have been learning about making my own cleaners too. And our shampoo, soap, body care products have switched to all natural too. But don’t just trust what you see – make sure you look up to see if the company you are buying from really is green. It is becoming popular now to buy organic and go green – so companies are jumping on board and “GreenWashing.”
Organic = Cool?
It’s interesting to me how eating organic now is seen as cool. How it has become the cool thing to do. But that’s not why I did it. In fact, I didn’t even know it was “becoming popular” or anything – I just learned about it at school and found out more info. But now being green has become so apart of my life. I think before everything – seeing if it is “eco-friendly.”
Cha-Cha-Cha-Changes
My life has drastically changed – I use the car the least I can, I take a reusable bottle with me everywhere to drink water from, I take my lunch in a lunchbag with a cloth napkin, I keep the heat turned down (I always complained when my parents did this! Now I do the same thing!), I actually have learned to cook more than mac’n'cheese, I even create recycled crafts for my children’s ministry. Everything I do is effected, work, school and home.
And I want to hear of anything you might be doing (big or small!), any more tips you have for me, or if you have any questions or ideas of more things you’d like to see on this blog!
job1210 said,
March 16, 2007 @ 7:25 pm
i was always curious about your outdoors stance since you decided to take the green approach. i’m glad to hear you’re coming around.
**CHEESEYNESS FACTOR WARNING**
i actually feel closer to God when i’m outside. i think clearest on the seat of my motorcycle (which is extremely fuel efficient, i might add) with the world surrounding me.
do you think you’ll ever get to the point where you like nature so much you’ll get a dog?? i think dave would appreciate that.
(dave, you can thank me for the good word later…)
Ruth Bell said,
March 16, 2007 @ 11:18 pm
You go girl! Check out Shaklee.com They have been green before biodegradeable was even in the dictionary. Lots of integrity. And leading the way. You’re a good example. Peoria is still way behind in even recyling.
Jenna said,
March 17, 2007 @ 7:17 pm
Megan:
I absolutely love reading your posts. My husband (www.brianorme.com) and I are very interested in ways to make our life “greener”. I have gotten rid of the paper plates, but the paper towels are going to be tough, but I definitely want to take the plunge. I have three boys so you can understand why. Anyways, I definitely will keep reading your blog. Thanks!
joe said,
March 18, 2007 @ 6:34 pm
Going green is not hard to do but you are correct that many products sound green but are actually toxic. I have researched all the natural cleaning products and found Sun & Earth are the best, least expensive and found in the grocery stores. Sun & Earth manufactures in the U.S.A. and is a socially responsible company, meaning they belive in people, planet and profits.
Ruthie Bell said,
April 19, 2007 @ 12:01 pm
Oprah is doing a show on Friday, April 20 ” Going Green 101″. I am excited beyond words because our CEO will be on telling his story using safe, GREEN cleaners and then she has been using them and LOVES THEM too. I am so passionate about getting more people to make the switches in their homes. I love your ideas for SPring Cleaning. Hmmm oh my…maybe I might have to get into those hall closets. Ok. After all the Earth Day events that we’re doing this weekend.
Candace said,
July 5, 2007 @ 8:11 pm
Did you ever find it really overwhelming when you started going green? This is something I’ve really felt the Lord impress on my heart, but I just don’t know where to start, or where to draw the line (with expenses and how intense it will become in my life). Did your expenses go up b/c you were buying organic and eco-friendly items? That’s honestly a big reason for me to be slow in this. I love in a not-so-green area of the country, so anything that is green can be very pricey, and we just can’t afford that. Just wondering how much your expenses changed…
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Sherisa Aguirre said,
August 29, 2007 @ 6:02 pm
HI Megan,
I was excited to find your post detailing your move to a green lifestyle. I am the business developer for OsoEco dot com. A web based social networking and sustainable product shopping site. We want to support the businesses who are making sustainable products and make it easier for people to find those products – wade through the green washing you mentioned and hear direct reports from people who rate and review the products. I know one challenge that I have faced in my own change process is the quality of certain sustainable products. I get extra upset if I pay more for say compostable garbage bags that start composting before I even take out the garbage. Yuck. Our site’s full functionality isn’t launched yet but please check us out – I’m sure others would be excited to read about your transition and in the future we will be looking for people with some experience and expertise to do product reviews etc. If you might be interested just let me know.
All the best,
Sherisa
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October 15, 2007 @ 5:10 am
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Kyle Jodice said,
January 20, 2008 @ 11:14 am
Hi,
LetsGoGreen.biz is an online company selling eco-friendly products to the homeowner. We have the products that let you “go green” at home. We have a full line of home water conservation items. Please let your members know about us. A link would be great. I would also like to speak to you about our fundraising program. You send folks to our site, they purchase products and you receive 25% of the sale. Great way to promote green products while you raise money for your site. Contact me via e-mail or at 770-480-2886.
Kyle Jodice
http://www.LetsGoGreen.biz
penulisangin said,
February 27, 2008 @ 10:07 am
Hey There Megan… I live in Indonesia, and I have to say that what you have done is great!!! It’s really nice thing to know about people around the world trying to reduce waste and Go Green.. I wish everybody here in my country does the same. It’s about organic food.. they are so expensive in here.. therefore you have to have loads of money to spend on that.. there are a lot of farmer’s market though.. but they are not so comfortable to shop around, so many people in big cities like Capital Jakarta shop in big supermarket… Too bad for the farmers!! There’ve been Millions of Car bought everyday.. Traffic Jam everywhere.. As for me, I take public Transportation.. I hope there will be more people to save the earth.. Just wanna share my story.. I like your Blog
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