- Cut down waste by 50% (any trash taken to the curb). Anything that can be used as fuel such as cardboard and paper are not included.
- Avoid plastics as much as possible by using reusable shopping and produce bags, coffee cups and avoidance of products with excess plastic packaging.
- No more disposable diapers (how's that for potty training incentive?)
- Compost scraps not consumed by animals (i.e. coffee grounds, egg shells).
- Eat as much home grown food as possible and can in the fall.
- Eat organic unprocessed foods to the extent available.
- Clear out and donate items that are not contributing to a happy, harmonious home.
- Collect rainwater for feeding animals and watering garden.
- Reduce energy expenditure by replacing regular light bulbs with CFLs, turning off lights & television when we're not in the room, and anything else we can 'disconnect' when not in use.
- Reduce paper towel consumption (a toughie for me).
- Continue making our own household cleaners.
- Put a stop to all that unsolicited mail (good bye pottery barn catalogs!)
- Drive that commuter car as much as we can and not the gas guzzler truck.
- Subscribe to good eco-friendly blogs to stay aware of the newest and most up-to-date information.
- Anything else we think of along the way.
- NO 'wasteful consumption' for the entire year. Yep, I have to stay OUT of Target and the mall (my weaknesses)!!
a.) No 'new' clothes or things. Any dire necessity purchases must be made at second-hand, thrift store, re-build it center, craigslist, freecycle, and the like.
**loopholes and disclaimer**: Things purchased that will ultimately better the environment (i.e. hubby's rain barrel system he's designing) are allowable, as as are toiletries, token personal items (no used underwear thank you...I'm not going that far) and gifts. Any and all things purchased need to be thoughtfully considered.
-Can we go without it?
If the answer is no, then it must be purchased in the following ways: must be locally made, and/or earth-friendly, and/or from a fair trade merchant. Groceries can be purchased anywhere but should meet the criteria above. The point is to be more mindful of purchases.
The last allowable things are those that we already planned for this year such as new flooring in the kitchen and anything that breaks.
