IEBGreen Challenge: Clothes Dryer Balls

Mark said..."My wife and I use our clothesline constantly in the summer too, but this winter we bought a pair of dryer balls to replace the dozens of sheets we'd normally go through. We ordered them through Nellie's All-Natural. They're inexpensive and last for years, and drying times are reduced as well. Perfect!"

Thanks so much for the suggestion, Mark. And, congratulations on saving the world from so many dryer sheets! At three loads per week x 52 weeks in the year x 50 years (don't worry, I'm not assigning an expiry date to you), that's a savings of 7,800 sheets from just one household!

Keep the suggestions rolling in. Everything you contribute helps others go Green.

To learn more about the Challenge, view my original It's Easy Being Green article. And, to see what things I'm adding to my list regularly, check out the "Green things done to date" in the right-hand column.

"Greening" Your Yard: IEBGreen Challenge

Reel Lawn Mowers are cheap, light and work well: use no power and no gas. The one I like is Lee Valley's 20" Reel Lawn Mower. (I've tried few a kinds and have been disappointed so I don't recommend trying to substitute.) Lee Valley's is really light and cuts really well. Only $155.

Leave the lawn clippings to make a healthier lawn — which means no Grass Catcher needed! Save yourself the effort of raking/bagging and the cost of a Grass Catcher. At the same time, enrich your lawn's soil. The clippings will also help your lawn retain moisture and keep it looking lush in dry spells.

IEBGreen Challenge: Today's Triumph

August 03/08 — Ran the dishwasher only when it was full of dishes; put it on "Water Miser" setting.

To see a complete list of green triumphs check the right-hand column called "Green things done to date".

IEBGreen Challenge: Today's Triumph

August 02/08 — Continued use of a thermos for coffee and a SIGG bottle for water to reduce single-use cups/bottles and to refrain from purchasing bottled water.

To see a complete list of green triumphs check the right-hand column called "Green things done to date".

IEBGreen Challenge: Today's Triumph

July 31/08 — Pledged not to buy bottled water. The transportation and plastics involved make it VERY unfriendly to the environment. I have a new SIGG bottle which I refill with tap water.

To see a complete list of green triumphs check the right-hand column called "Green things done to date".

IEBGreen Challenge: Today's Triumph

July 29/08 — Pledged not to get newspaper subscriptions; if I want news, I'll read it on their web site! I'll only read newspapers if it's a communal paper like at a restaurant.

To see a complete list of green triumphs check the right-hand column called "Green things done to date".

IEBGreen Challenge: Today's Triumph

July 27/08 — Met with my landlord to see what we can do about getting our office garbage recycled.

To see a complete list of green triumphs check the right-hand column called "Green things done to date".

We Need Viewer Opinion on Laundry!

A lot of people are asking me what they can do to make laundry day more environmentally-friendly. Well, I'm going to need your help to answer this question thoroughly. So far, I've changed my habits in two ways. 1. I use cold water instead of hot so that I'm not using power to heat the water. 2. I've seriously reduced the amount of soap that I use. The soap companies recommend a full plastic scoop (which they supply) with every load. Well, I decided to test that theory. I'm down to 3 tablespoons and the laundry still comes out clean. Personal opinion? The laundry companies just want to sell more of their soap. They're more interested in the bottom line than the environment.

Viewer challenge: please let us know your suggestions or what you've been doing to reduce your impact on the environment when it comes to laundry. Thanks!

IEBGreen Challenge: Today's Triumph

July 26/08 — Cold water for laundry! I use cold water almost exclusively to do laundry. It works perfectly and it means that no power was used to heat the water.

To see a complete list of green triumphs check the right-hand column called "Green things done to date".

IEBGreen Challenge: Today's Triumph

July 23/08 — Sort Green/Blue garbage. If garbage is recycled in your community, be sure to sort and bag it properly so that it can be reused and won't go in the landfill.

To see what things I'm adding to my list daily, check out the "Green things done to date" in the right-hand column.

IEBGreen Challenge: Today's Triumph

July 22/08 — Bought 100% recycled bags (made from old pop bottles) for bi-weekly groceries so that we won't be using throw-away plastic bags. That's a savings of 130 bags a year. If I live until 80, that's about 5,590 unused bags. That's just 2 people's bag savings in this world! Imagine if you did this, too?

To see what things I'm adding to my list daily, check out the "Green things done to date" in the right-hand column.

IEBGreen Challenge: Today's Triumph

July 21/08 — Instead of throwing out old blankets, we delivered them to the local animal shelter who are happy to reuse them.

To see what things I'm adding to my list daily, check out the "Green things done to date" in the right-hand column.

IEBGreen Challenge: Today's Triumph

July 20/08 — Put two bricks in the toilet tank so that each flush uses 4x8x4 square inches less of water EVERY flush for the REST of my life. That's 2 Litres every flush. That's a water savings of 6 Litres every day; 2190 Litres every year. Assuming I live to about 80, that's about 87,600 Litres of water NOT wasted! Imagine what I'll be saving on my water bill.

To see what things I'm adding to my list daily, check out the "Green things done to date" in the right-hand column.

IEBGreen Challenge: Today's Triumph

07/19/08 — Used typperware to take my restaurant leftovers home — no more throw-away styrofoam containers!

To see what things I'm adding to my list daily, check out the "Green things done to date" in the right-hand column.

IEBGreen Challenge: Today's Triumph

07/18/08 — Used vinegar in the dishwasher instead of 'rinse' to leave the dishes spotless — worked beautifully!

To see what things I'm adding to my list daily, check out the "Green things done to date" in the right-hand column.

IEBGreen Challenge: Use Power-free Gym Machines

anonymous said... "I try to use the machines at the gym that are powered by me." Love it! You probably get more exercise, too! Keep the suggestions rolling in. Everything you contribute gets you Green points AND helps others get Greener.

To see more viewer comments, visit the original It's Easy Being Green article. And, to see what things I'm adding to my list daily, check out the "Green things done to date" in the right-hand column.

IEBGreen Challenge: Compost workplace garbage

anonymous said... "Every day I bring home compostable food from work, such as banana peels, napkins, etc., and put it in my compost at home."

This is wonderful! Most offices don't separate their garbage into Green (wet/compostable) and Blue (dry/recyclable) garbage — it all goes to the landfill together. So, this is an excellent way to reduce your office's contribution to the landfill site. If you're composting like anonymous is doing, then you're adding a rich nutrient to your garden at the same time. Gardens mean extra carbon-dioxide-breathing plants around your house which reduce CO2 and add Oxygen to your lot; not to mention beautiful flowers and tasty veggies for your family! This also means that you're reducing your dependance on food that had to travel to get to your doorstep.

Wow! By bringing Green garbage home to compost, you're significantly reducing your carbon footprint!

Thanks for your idea, anonymous!

To see more viewer comments, visit the original It's Easy Being Green article. And, to see what things I'm adding to my list daily, check out the "Green things done to date" in the right-hand column.

It's Easy Being Green Challenge

For a long time now, I've been trying to live a life that is friendly to both myself and the environment. But lately I've been feeling that what I do won't make a big difference and that nothing I do can be 100% friendly to the environment so why bother working so hard at it. I lost excitement for "going Green". I thought that I had to, overnight, have zero impact on the environment. Now I'm back on track with the realization that I don't have to be 100% Green overnight; one little bit at a time will get me there.

My ultimate goal? Be as close to 100% Green LIving as possible. My goal today? Do just one little thing to get me there.

So what did I do today? I bought PC Green Unbleached Coffee FIlters (I couldn't find a mesh basket but will keep looking. Promise.).

Take the It's Easy Being Green Challenge. You'll be making a big difference one tiny act at a time.

Spread the word. Invite your friends and family to the challenge. That could be your little change for today! And, post your tips here so that everyone can do the little things that you're doing. That could be your little change for tomorrow! See, it's easy being Green! I look forward to your comments.