I have always thought of myself a pretty eco-conscious person, but when I started working at GladRags, I realized that I hardly do anything GREEN aside from taking 5 minutes showers, turning the heat off at night, opening windows and doors in the summer instead of using an air conditioner, letting the rain fall wash my car, eating local and when I can afford it, organic. I got to thinking, and researching other ways I could live a more green, eco-friendly life... and this is what I came up with:

Change out your BULBS!

By switching your standard bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs, you will be using less wattage, therefore saving money as well! These bulbs last about 2-8 years, are fairly cheap at most local building centers, and just switching out 5 of your household bulbs is like taking 1,000 cars of the road!

Don't Eat Fast Food!

I know it's so easy, but most fast food chains use way too much packaging, do not use local meats, fish, fowl, or veggies, therefore not helping local farmers. Eat Local, Buy Local!

Drive Less!

I have made the commitment of walking or biking to work now that I live closer. Gas prices are out of control, and the emissions of our little fun toys are the single biggest cause of pollution. Get out of your car and bike, ride public transport, skateboard, roller-skate, run, or walk!


Urge your local Coffee shop to use Green Packaging!

If you're lucky enough to live in a city where your favorite joint to grab a bagel and coffee uses corn based packaging, consider yourself wicked special! I personally have been talking up businesses about using corn based coffee cups, straws, and other various green packaging.

Use "Reusable" Menstrual products!

Of course you had to know I was going to go there, it's not only my job, but something I feel very strongly about. If your a menstruating person, think about how many pads/tampons you use for one period....then multiply that by 12, then multiply THAT by 40. It's a lot right? Now think of how many other people use that many products like you? You can change that by just buying reusable pads or The Keeper or Moon Cups. It's totally not gross, and actually very empowering. Check out GladRags and see for yourself.

Have a clothing swap with your friends!

What's that saying, "One person's trash is another's treasure"?... well the same can be said about your friend's clothes that you have been coveting for years. It's easy, invite all your pals to your place, have them collect all those items they are "so over", lay them out either by size, style, color, whatever is most fun to you. Then SWAP! You can get rid of some unwanted things, and go shop for free! Hello, fun!

Don't sit IDLE!

When you find yourself sitting at a railroad crossing with a very long train going by, waiting at your banks' "Drive-Up" teller window, or picking up your kids from school, turn your engine off. Idling 10 minutes less per day can keep 550 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the air every year.

Use GREEN Cleaning products and water bottles!

It seems like you can get eco friendly cleaning supplies everywhere, so why not use them? They are inexpensive, better for your health, home, and planet. Also, why buy bottles of water? Everyone has good intentions of recycling those pesky little bottles, but I can't tell you how many I see smashed in the gutter every day. There are many options out there to carry your water with you! Nalgene bottles, mason jar with a lid, blue glass bottles with lids, or Corn-resin bottle with filter from New Wave Enviro Products, provides pure, clean drinking water and can be reused up to 90 times. The bottle biodegrades in just 80 days!

Here are some links to companies I recommend:

www.ecobags.com
www.methodhome.com
www.newwaveenviro.com
www.nalgene-outdoor.com
mysigg.com

~ Jani