Much is being made of going green and the need to protect the environment. Orthodox theology would agree with this mandate to go green. We all need to do what we can to help conserve energy and our precious natural resources. In the village a few months back they started what is called “single stream recycling” we all got a 90 gallon recycle bin on wheels and we put all recyclables in this bin and it is picked up every two weeks. In the first month of the program we went from 32 tons to 59 tons of trash that did not go into the landfill that is big.
In todays edition of the Scotsman there are some suggesitons of what you can do to make your life a little greener:
1. Recycle household waste using facilities provided locally
2. Turn the tap off when brushing your teeth
3. Switch to using energy-saving light bulbs
4. Leave the car at home at least once a week and cycle, walk, share a car or use public transport more often
5. Use rechargeable batteries instead of disposable ones
6. Reuse carrier bags when you shop
7. Buy more seasonal and unpackaged food
8. Hang your washing up to dry rather than using a tumbler dryer
9. Organise or volunteer in an environmental project in your local community
10. Pay back the environmental impact of any flights you take and choose not to fly when there’s a suitable alternative.
These are just some suggesitons but we all can do some of them. Last month I switched all of my lamps to the energy bulbs and they are actually brighter than what I had before and they will last longer. I have also decided that I will only have the lights on in the rooms I am in, and I have turned the heat down a little and put a sweater on. There are many other things we can do if we just think about it. I also bought some bags from the grocery store to reuse when I shop, now I just need to remember to bring them with me when I go. Okay so not a perfect program but we are getting there. How many of us leave our computers on all the time? When you go to bed do you shut it off or let it run? Try turning it off at night for a month and then check your electric bill, you will see a difference. Just think going green also includes more green in your pocket.
