When I started this whole PSBN thing, I was really revved up about making changes in my family’s lifestyle that would result in a better outcome for the earth we live on.  We made the decision to “Go Green(er)” in small steps, consistently, over time.

Some changes require no more than a re-ordering of the way you do things and a little conscious effort.

Other changes require a bit of financial investment. 

We’ve done some of each of those kinds of things.  I have, in fact, planned quite a lot of changes for us over the months to come.  The only reason why we have to spread them out instead of doing them all at once is the cost factor of many of them.

I thought I’d give a running list of some of the changes we’ve made so far.

So far we:

• Went on a Trash Cleanup Walk in our old neighborhood.  I plan on doing this again in our new neighborhood.  Probably in the Fall, when we won’t die of a heatstroke.
• Started recycling our garbage at the curb again. (This was easy for us.  Just one call and a Recycle Dumpster was delivered to us free of charge.  Check with your local trash association to see what you can do.  It never hurts to look into it!)
• Separate out all glass, since they won’t accept it at the curb, and save it to take to the Recycling Center ourselves.  We’ll be making our first trip with a glass load this week.
• Switched from disposable to cloth diapers.  Our only regret has been that we didn’t do cloth from the very beginning.  (We’ve also started hanging these out to dry in the back yard instead of using the machine to dry them. Woot!)
• Conserve previously wasted shower water (cold water at the start goes in a bucket).
• Have gotten back to using more eco-friendly cleaners in our home.
• Started using rechargeable batteries. (haven’t posted about it yet, stayed tuned for future posts!)
• Bring reusable bags with us to the grocery store. (haven’t posted about it yet, stayed tuned for future posts!)
• Have become Energy Misers.  Thermostat, lights, appliance, plugs, you name it!
• Switched over almost 100% of our incandescents for CFLs.  Ongoing project since before PSBN, actually.
• Eat organic when we can… cost influences this greatly.  We mind the list of things that are most important to buy organic.  (haven’t posted about it yet, stayed tuned for future posts!)
• Plan all our errands in groups whenever we can, since we have to drive and burn fuel.  With the price of gas lately, this is a huge money saver now, as well.  I have always really wanted to get a bike with a kiddo seat, but it is really not safe to ride that way around here.

Future endeavors:

• Install a clothesline and procure a clothes wringer.
• Purchase and install rain collection barrells. (I want this so badly RIGHT NOW, it makes me twitch, but they’re expensive.)
• Finally purchase one-string produce bags (see where I mentioned them here) to take along with the reusable grocery bags.
• Start composting

There’s always more, of course, but those are the big ones I have in mind.  John and I have agreed, it’s like a game now, almost.  It’s fun to think up what we can do next and then meet the challenge.

Currently, we’re working on reducing the amount of toilet paper we use.  We’re in Phase Two of the TP Challenge.  By next month’s PSBN Scheduled Posting on August 11th, I’ll have some results for you and let you know how the whole thing went around here.  I hope some of you are still taking this challenge with us!  It really is a challenge.  Who knew how mindless TP Grabbing on the crapper was?

As always, please link to your green articles here today.  (Click through to see Mr. Linky.)  And remember, there’s always more you can do, and it’s always worth it.