How to balance the responsible with the reasonable

Have you noticed how conscious kids are about trash these days? When I was a kid, I don’t remember having so much emotion tied up in what I threw out and where it went when I did. When I say, “Honey, could you throw this out for me?” I get a look of horror and when they realize what it’s made of they say, “This actually goes in the recycling” as a response. If something is broken and beyond repair, I have to sneak it into the trash and hope that nobody notices. “I was going to use that for something” is a frequent response when I ask about what I consider rubbish around the house (gum wrappers, cardboard boxes, toilet paper rolls).

I’m all for reusing things. It makes me feel good and proud of myself and my family. I love that recycling is the norm now. But I wish there were some guidelines for when it’s okay to let go of something. If I have a project in mind that would require a cereal box, for instance, am I then obligated to keep every cereal box I ever buy? Should I live in guilt for each can or bottle I recycle because I could have reused it in some way? I don’t think so. Such an attitude would lead to burnout, giving up and perhaps a house that looks like an episode of Hoarders.

I think the answer might be to answer the guilt with a question, “Is there anything reasonable I could do to eliminate having to have this packaging in my life?” Maybe I could buy bulk candy to forgo the wrappers. Returnable milk jugs might be an option.

But the key word is reasonable. It might be better to buy eggs from the local farm and carry them home in a basket, but not if you have to drive 100 miles to get there. The very way of our lives would have to change in order to make major changes in our trash generating habits. But this takes time; small step by small step. In the meantime, we need to balance the responsible with the reasonable, looking to a cleaner future as inspiration and working little by little toward the goal.

Do you have any thoughts on how to stay on track with being green and how not to get discouraged? I’d love to hear them.

Tidy Tweets

I've finished my 30 ways in 30 days on how to be green in your daily life. Here is the full list.

#Recycle Rinse the milk jug and put it in the bin, you can do it!
#Reduce Take your cup with you to work or church, save a disposable one.
#Reduce Pour your cream first, save the stirrer.
#Reduce Pack green lunches. See how little litter you can pack with your food.
#ReduceReuseRecycle Identify the three most non-green habits in your life and think about how you can change your lifestyle to change them.
#Reduce Try not to use zipper lock bags for three days and see what solutions you come up with.
#Reuse Become a regular at the thrift store. Donating and buying both help to reuse.
#Recycle Be a part of your local recycling program…even if it costs you something.
#ReduceReuseRecycle Do what your grandmother told you.
#Reuse Reuse lightly used zipper lock bags.
#Reduce Turn the lights out.
#Reduce Don’t waste food. Buy only what you need.
#Reuse Hand-me-downs.
#Reduce Don’t be afraid to wash a towel or rag, you can cut down on paper towels.
#Reduce Potty train.
#Reuse Have your kids use the same backpack more than one year.
#Reduce Go digital. Print only the pics you need.
#Reduce Use less energy by cooking two meals instead of one.
#Reuse Empty tissue boxes are a great place to store plastic grocery bags for reuse.
#Reduce Eat leftovers.
#Reuse Use Freecycle.
#Reduce Put on a sweater and turn down the thermostat or more appropriate for today, put on shorts and turn off the air.
#Reduce. Dispose of your medications the right way. (http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/pdf/prescrip_disposal.pdf)
#ReduceReuse Handkerchiefs? Hmmm…not there yet.
#Reuse Use old t-shirts as rags.
#Reduce Car Pool
#You can say it, “Paper, please.”
#Reuse Make the switch to rechargeable batteries.
#Reduce Buy flat gifts: books, cds, restaurant gift certificates
#Reduce #Reuse Fix something that’s broken

Wondering what to do with so many books?

Christian Resources International http://www.cribooks.org takes used Christian materials and distributes them to English speaking people worldwide. Check out their Web site to see how you can get involved.

Tidy Tweets

On Twitter, I’ve been doing 30 ways in 30 days on how to be green in your daily life. We’re up to #22 so far! It’s amazing how many little things we can do to take care of our world. Here are the ways I’ve shared so far. They’re not rocket science, but some may be new to you and some may be just a good reminder.

1. #Recycle Rinse the milk jug and put it in the bin, you can do it!
2. #Reduce Take your cup with you to work or church, save a disposable one.
3. #Reduce Pour your cream first, save the stirrer.
4. #Reduce Pack green lunches. See how little litter you can pack with your food.
5. #ReduceReuseRecycle Identify the three most non-green habits in your life and think about how you can change your lifestyle to change them.
6. #Reduce Try not to use zipper lock bags for three days and see what solutions you come up with.
7. #Reuse Become a regular at the thrift store. Donating and buying both help to reuse.
8. #Recycle Be a part of your local recycling program…even if it costs you something.
9. #ReduceReuseRecycle Do what your grandmother told you.
10. #Reuse Reuse lightly used zipper lock bags.
11. #Reduce Turn the lights out.
12. #Reduce Don’t waste food. Buy only what you need.
13. #Reuse Hand-me-downs.
14. #Reduce Don’t be afraid to wash a towel or rag, you can cut down on paper towels.
15. #Reduce Potty train.
16. #Reuse Have your kids use the same backpack more than one year.
17. #Reduce Go digital. Print only the pics you need.
18. #Reduce Use less energy by cooking two meals instead of one.
19. #Reuse Empty tissue boxes are a great place to store plastic grocery bags for reuse.
20. #Reduce Eat leftovers.
21. #Reuse Use Freecycle.
22. #Reduce Put on a sweater and turn down the thermostat or more appropriate for today, put on shorts and turn off the air.

For the Love of Trees

There is something romantic about being in a tree. The love isn't with a person, but with nature, with beauty, and with having a new perspective. There's an intimate feeling in the aloneness. Like a mountaintop experience--there is a sense of power and wonder. Am I a tree-hugger? YES! I love trees. They provide more than oxygen for our air, but have an aesthetic contribution to the lives of many a tree climber.

For more on how the mommy part of me feels about tree-climbing, visit http://ourwordshop.blogspot.com/2009/07/tree-climbing.html

Green Mom on Twitter

You can follow me on twitter now at www.twitter.com/greenmomideas. Look forward to sharing together.

Minimalist or Miniaturist?

See my other blog

http://ourwordshop.blogspot.com/2009/05/minimalist-or-miniaturist.html