Green-O-Meter

Mary - posted on 07/03/2009

Thanks, Megan...will look into the Mooncup soon.

However, I think I'm sticking with TP...cannot imagine adding to my laundry!!

Iris - posted on 07/03/2009

Sorry, forgot everything else when I saw that somebody else in here knows and uses the mooncup, hehehe.
Well, I'm very low on the Green-O-Meter. We do have 3 trashcans though, 1 for plastic and paper, 1 for Bio and 1 for other waste. We do collect batteries and light bulbs and take them regularly to the recycling. We also have solar panels. I guess I'm greener than I thought....
I do drive an SUV thought and I have to drive it every day to take my daughter to daycare, but we're moving next week and then I'll be in a walking distance from her daycare which will save me a lot of gas money.

Iris - posted on 07/02/2009

Quoting Catherine:

I have another 'green' thing. I use a mooncup.

I have one too!!   :)

Iris - posted on 07/02/2009

Quoting Catherine:

I have another 'green' thing. I use a mooncup.

I have one too!!   :)

Megan - posted on 07/02/2009

Quoting Mary:

Ummm...question here....what are you supposed to use instead of toilet paper???

And, Catherine...am fascinated with the mooncup...had never heard of it before, and I have no idea if it's available in the US, will have to research that some more, but it actually does seem preferable to tampons & such.

I have never done it... but super eco people use washcloths with soap and water and then put them in the wash! The ultimate in green is do use nothing disposable... including toilet paper. They do make ultra biodegradable toilet paper too!

There is the mooncup, and also the "divacup" and cloth menstrual pads and natural sponges in place of tampons. they are all found at eco stores and you can look them up online!

Traci - posted on 07/02/2009

Have you ever seen the movie with Sylvester Stallone called Demolition Man??? They used two seashells...LOL :O)

Mary - posted on 07/02/2009

Ummm...question here....what are you supposed to use instead of toilet paper???



And, Catherine...am fascinated with the mooncup...had never heard of it before, and I have no idea if it's available in the US, will have to research that some more, but it actually does seem preferable to tampons & such.

Megan - posted on 07/02/2009

lol! people are doing pretty good! lol! Solar Panels Rock (when i build i wanna use them) I know a lot of people even can sell back power into the grid! And so the make up the money quick!

Amie - posted on 07/02/2009

Oh I forgot to add that we're purchasing a new washer and dryer set.. yup it's energy efficient. Our toilet is new and energy/water efficient too. It's one of those dual flush one. =) lol.

Amie - posted on 07/02/2009

Ok I think my families pretty green. We're trying harder to be greener too. Part of it is because of concerns about the environment (within my hubby's family we don't even talk about it because it is one of the hot button issues that always ends with his sister going it's all a myth, it's all a conspiracy,etc.. lo!) The other part is it saves us money! =)
We have an energy efficient fridge. Energy efficient furnace & A/C unit. Our system even has a permanent filter so all we need to do is pull out once a month and clean it.
Our house is properly insulated so we don't lose cool air or hot, depending on the season.
We are looking at solar panels and energy efficient windows as well for when our reno's start. That is mostly because again, heat/cool air retention and our power bill is stupid we want to be off the grid as much as possible. haha.
We recycle, it's all sorted to cans, plastic and glass. We recycle newspaper,paper, cardboard and even our electronics. Yes there are places that take them if anyone didn't know. LOL! We've even recycled our leftover paint from last year when we redid our hallway and our fence outside.
There's more I'm sure, just need to go through the house to find them. However we're not completely green. I don't use cloth diapers, eww not for me LOL!. We use wet wipes. We use paper towel. We use T.P... I can't believe some people don't.. what do they use instead? =S
All in all I think we rate pretty high on the green-o-meter. =)

Cathy - posted on 06/29/2009

I was completely freaked out by them the idea the first time I was introduced to them, but two kids later they seem less daunting. Heres the website.

http://www.mooncup.co.uk/index.html

Erin - posted on 06/29/2009

Quoting Catherine:

basically a mooncup is a reusable tampon! Its like a eggcup shape and size and made from silicon. It's alot safer health wise and better for the environment than tampons.

OMG I have NEVER heard of that in my life!! Not sure it would be for me tho...

Sarah - posted on 06/29/2009

aahhh i see!! i have heard of them! luckily the pill i'm on stops my periods!! hoorah!! :)

Cathy - posted on 06/29/2009

basically a mooncup is a reusable tampon! Its like a eggcup shape and size and made from silicon. It's alot safer health wise and better for the environment than tampons.

Sarah - posted on 06/29/2009

Quoting Catherine:

I have another 'green' thing. I use a mooncup.

ok, i gotta ask! what on earth is a mooncup????

Cathy - posted on 06/29/2009

I have another 'green' thing. I use a mooncup.

Cathy - posted on 06/29/2009

I have another 'green' thing. I use a mooncup.

Traci - posted on 06/28/2009

Litter bothers me too. Just because it's so dirty. I mean, I wouldn't throw a candy wrapper on my living room floor, so why do some people think it's okay to toss their cigaretts wrappers out the car window? That is so frustrating to me. Slobs. A couple years ago I was in the drive thru at McDonald's and this girl in front of me tossed a bottle of pop onto the parking lot. I yelled "That's ignorant!" And forgot my car window was open. I almost found myself in a fight that night! LOL She called me a name and I said she was a slob. Oh well.



And I'm with ya on the cigarette butts too. Every stoplight I come to is COVERED in butts. Those things just sit there, it looks so sloppy.



I think it's great to be green and stuff, but the only part I don't appreciate from AG and his ilk is the utter hypocrisy of the whole thing. It's okay for him to fly around in a private jet all year long, but he's trying to make us feel guilty for driving an SUV. My SUV doesn't put out as much CO2 in an entire year as one flight in his jet does. He's a snake oil salesman. Back in the 70's we were all going to freeze to death. Now it's global warming. Now, since temps haven't risen since 2001 despite us emitting much more CO2, they are "conveniently" calling it climate change. I suppose that's so they don't look like fools again about the whole thing. If people want to be green because they want to make a difference, that's very noble. But to try and guilt the whole world into living uncomfortably to save a few polar bears (which, by the way, have actually been increasing since the 70's, another myth) while he and his rich buddies don't live by the same rules is really telling.



I think it's quite arrogant for us to think that we know what is best for the planet. It's estimated that 99.9% of all species that ever walked the face of this earth are now extinct. So, if animals do go extinct, who are we to say that is bad? We surely weren't responsible for the 99.9% that came extinct over the life of our planet. Scientists don't know everything, and despite claims by Al, there is not a consensus that the planet is warming and we are to blame. *I have a GREAT way to ensure polar bears don't become extinct...start eating them! LOL We don't have chickens, cows, pigs, or other food becoming extinct. Give people a reason to ensure their continueance on this planet! I'm just kidding BTW :)



And one more thing, too. I use to recycle EVERYTHING I could too. But it's a pain. You have to remove labels, rinse things out, it's annoying. I did it though like a good little greenie. I still do, to a point. But what I think is bogus is how it is mandated AND they CHARGE you extra for it. In my county it is law that you have to recycle. Well, of course-how do you enforce that??? Simple, they don't. But what does happen is that I'm charged extra in my garbage bill every month to pay for recycling. So, the trash company is getting PAID to take my recyclables and they are MAKING money recycling it and selling the raw material elsewhere. That's a win win situation for them, isn't it??? I wonder which garbage company CEO has friends in gov't that made that stupid law? Whoever he is, he's making money hand over fist. It's a racket, like everything else.



Same thing with the lightbulbs. GE is in bed with every corner of the government with regards to this green movement. Hmmmm....I wonder why? Well, first off, instead of selling their lightbulbs for 50 cents, they are now selling them for $4. And when the gov't ban takes effect, you'll have no choice but to buy the more expensive bulb. That sure paid off nicely for GE. Not to mention appliances. Once the gov't mandates you use appliances that only use a certain amount of energy, everyone will go out and buy new appliances....chalk another one up for GE! And they are looking to switch to "smart grids"...another scary thing once you realize what those are about, and who makes 'em? You guessed it, GE. I've got no problems with companies making money, I think that's great! But, when you've got gov't MANDATING stuff so we have no other choice, that is nothing more than fascism. It's just something to think about.... :)

Alison - posted on 06/28/2009

Sorry if I left a similar post on this thread already. I think it got lost somewhere. Anyway, I cloth diapered and BF'd and used canvas shopping bags. I also recycle some stuff and walk lots. To make up for all this green effort I take long-haul flights from the USA to the UK to see my family every year.

Joy - posted on 06/28/2009

I've been being "green" in some ways since before the term "green" was ever heard of. I don't know where I learned it, but to me, it has just always seemed like the right thing to do, to be careful with the world we live in. I'm not a freak about it though. I made most of my own baby food. I recycle EVERYTHING I possibly can. I was probably the only person I know who actually called the waste company in my area and had them send me a list of what they will and will not take. I follow the list to the letter and if I'm throwing it away and it's on the list, it's going in the blue bin. I've even been known to take things home from friend's houses because I know they won't recycle. My husband gives me crap about the way I recycle too lol He thinks it's funny that I actually rinse off things before I put them in the bin (not everything but the gross stuff). I do it for two reasons: this stuff sits outside my front door for a week and I don't want bugs. Also, I care that two guys have to come around once a week and touch my garbage and I don't want them getting slimy, sat in the sun for a week mayo on their hands and knowing it's because I didn't take the time to rinse it off. Maybe that's just me being a little bit crazy about the recycling lol I don't use the canvas bags but I get plenty of use from the plastic ones. I have one in my car for garbage, I use them in the bathroom garbage cans and I also use them to dispose of any of my son's stinky diapers that are "off the chart" GROSS. You know the ones...the ones you won't put in the regular can because they would stink up the entire house....those. Those are the ones that go in a grocery bag and straight out to the outside bin. You can also use plastic garbage bags to line your garden to keep away weeds. I conserve water, keep my thermostat set at 78 (much to my husband's dislike) and I turn off lights and fans when I leave a room. I don't buy the expensive light bulbs, just the regular GE ones, sometimes even the store brand (GASP!). I don't buy special green cleaners, I still use good old bleach. I don't wear special green clothing (although I do own a few hemp bracelets lol). One of my biggest things I do, and have always done since I was a child, is that I do not litter...ever. And if I see someone else litter I will go out of my way to pick it up, making sure they see me do it, and I will throw it away myself. It drives me nuts to see someone just toss a piece of trash out the car window or just toss it on the ground and watch it blow away. Also, when I smoked in the car (which we don't do anymore), I never threw my butts out the window either. I actually saw someone at a red light not long ago, who opened their door and dumped the car ashtray out right there on the road. A little pile of cigarette butts. I was fuming and if I hadn't had my son in the car I probably would have screamed something out my windodw to him. I don't know, I'm not as green as I could be, but mostly because being "super" green costs lots of money. It's kinda like eating an all organic diet....it costs more than the regular stuff. But I am into saving the planet and doing my part to not make it worse. I haven't "bought into the hype" by any means, but I do find merit in the work Al Gore does and others like him.

Katie - posted on 06/28/2009

We use canvas grocery bags(re-usable),re-chargable batteries, we recycle,I don't drive and my daughter's school has the "green flag"(an award by the Department of Education only given to the most eco-friendly schools in Ireland). I wouldn't consider myself extremely green,but I do make an effort where possible. Certainly, the kids nowadays are fantastic ambassadors for green awareness/green responsibility.

Sarah - posted on 06/28/2009

I'm a bit rubbish (rubbish...get it?? haha!) at being 'green'.
We recycle some stuff, use re-usable carrier bags, i don't drive, we're vegetarian, but that's about it!
On the lightbulb thing....i'm sure i heard somewhere that they can actually make normal lightbulbs that never 'blow' but they don't because they want them to stop working so people will have to keep buying them!!
So yeah....i'm not very 'green' *hangs head in shame*
:)

Cathy - posted on 06/28/2009

I think I'm fairly green. I recycle as much as I can, glass, plastic, cans, cardboard, paper. I use cloth nappies ( I find they are more reliable than disposables and cuter too). Also use resusable wipes and make some of my own bath and baby toiletries.I love making baby food. I don't buy organic but do buy locally produced foods. I use reusable shopping bags when I remember to take them with me. I do have all energy saving lightbulbs (I know about the mercury thing but only had to change one in last four years and cuts my energy bills loads). I walk everywhere as I don't drive. Think thats it.

Cathy - posted on 06/28/2009

Quoting Megan:

I think that these big companies run campains to keep any mistakes from getting out there. For example - there is no two ways around the fact that using cloth diapers is better for the environment. (i dont care what you use... that isnt the sole reason I use cloth)

but Huggies (or possibly Pampers) ran a report out that claimed that disposable aren't worse for the environment because people use water to launder their diapers, among other "reasons". The big disposable companies didn't want a single one of their customers going to cloth, and so they had to post this darn report from here to Timbuktu!

There are tons of other examples in the green or non green world and i think it is sad that businesses cant be more upstanding. You can be a good competitive business and if your product is great you will have customers regardless!

I saw that report, it was hugely biased towards disposables. There was like 1000 babies in the study in disposables and only around 30 in cloth. The main conclusion was that cloth nappies it's the parents responsibilty to make them more environmental friendly. Buying fabrics that come from renewable sources and are organic to prevent pestacides entering the water table. Line drying instead of tumble drying. For disposable nappies the responsibilty lies soley with the manufacturers. Wasn't much in the report to indicate the damage done by all the poop in disposables entering the water table untreated from landfill sites.

Erin - posted on 06/27/2009

I'm afraid I feature WAAAYYYY down on the green-o-meter. Apart from recycling I don't really give it much thought. I do make Milla's food but that's more for health and cost benefit than any environmental concern. I guess I should make more of an effort, but I've got enough to deal with without worrying about whether or not I should buy a product because of it's packaging/method of production etc.

Megan - posted on 06/27/2009

I think that these big companies run campains to keep any mistakes from getting out there. For example - there is no two ways around the fact that using cloth diapers is better for the environment. (i dont care what you use... that isnt the sole reason I use cloth)

but Huggies (or possibly Pampers) ran a report out that claimed that disposable aren't worse for the environment because people use water to launder their diapers, among other "reasons". The big disposable companies didn't want a single one of their customers going to cloth, and so they had to post this darn report from here to Timbuktu!

There are tons of other examples in the green or non green world and i think it is sad that businesses cant be more upstanding. You can be a good competitive business and if your product is great you will have customers regardless!

Christa - posted on 06/27/2009

Quoting Megan:

Oh... you guys make me feel good! I too am PISSED at the mercury "eco-freindly" bulbs! I spent way too much money on switching to them just to find out how BAD they really are. Then i had to switch back! We *almost* bought a fancy eco-car too just to find out that it guzzles so many resources in its creation that i could drive a 1970 GTO everywhere and do more for the environment. But i cant help myself so i do what i can to be green anyways. I guess "use less and try to be natural" is more of my motto than anything.

Yeah I've also heard the batteries in the hybrid cars are not in any way disposable so when they go bad they just sit in a landfill and could leak very toxic chemicals.  It's a wonder you don't hear more about this stuff.  It just shows you that even with the best intentions the almighty dollar still rules all.

Christa - posted on 06/27/2009

I do my best, I do have the light bulbs. I haven't had a problem with them, but I am going to look into the mercury thing I hadn't heard that. I buy organic when it's on sale. I'm a big "Body by God" person. I try to not put things in my body that are not god made. I try to avoid processed foods and unnecessary drugs and chemicals. However as I've stated before I'm a microbiologist and my fear of germs out ways any need to be green so I bleach everything. :-) I would love to make my own baby food, but I don't have the time. However I got her eating fresh fruits and vegetables as soon as she could chew them. I breastfed for the first year, I truly think everybody should it's the best for babies. I use disposable diapers, both because I don't have time to deal with the cloth ones and again the germ thing. I could never take a poopy mess and clean it and reuse it. It would never really be clean again in my mind. :-) I guess I'm in the middle. Megan you a definitely a star! :-)

Christa - posted on 06/27/2009

I do my best, I do have the light bulbs. I haven't had a problem with them, but I am going to look into the mercury thing I hadn't heard that. I buy organic when it's on sale. I'm a big "Body by God" person. I try to not put things in my body that are not god made. I try to avoid processed foods and unnecessary drugs and chemicals. However as I've stated before I'm a microbiologist and my fear of germs out ways any need to be green so I bleach everything. :-) I would love to make my own baby food, but I don't have the time. However I got her eating fresh fruits and vegetables as soon as she could chew them. I breastfed for the first year, I truly think everybody should it's the best for babies. I use disposable diapers, both because I don't have time to deal with the cloth ones and again the germ thing. I could never take a poopy mess and clean it and reuse it. It would never really be clean again in my mind. :-) I guess I'm in the middle. Megan you a definitely a star! :-)

Megan - posted on 06/27/2009

Oh... you guys make me feel good! I too am PISSED at the mercury "eco-freindly" bulbs! I spent way too much money on switching to them just to find out how BAD they really are. Then i had to switch back! We *almost* bought a fancy eco-car too just to find out that it guzzles so many resources in its creation that i could drive a 1970 GTO everywhere and do more for the environment. But i cant help myself so i do what i can to be green anyways. I guess "use less and try to be natural" is more of my motto than anything.

Mary - posted on 06/27/2009

Oh, I can't help it...Traci's post had me rolling on the floor. You may not agree with her, but her delivery was funny as crap! And...not a fan of the lightbulbs either.



Megan, I suspect that compared to most of us, you are a lepruchan!! Good for you...I swear, just reading your post made me tired!! I breastfeed, recycle religiously (big battle w/hubby on that- his laziness- I won!), and use canvas grocery bags. As for the rest...some of that is just not realistic for a working mom like me. If I made her baby food, and used cloth diapers, I'd either never sleep, or not spend any fun time with my baby. As for driving....well, I live 18 miles fom where I work, and the nearest grocery store is 5 miles. I walk Molly & the dogs 3 miles/day, and that takes about an hour...can't see doing it with a week's worth of groceries!



I applaud & commend you...you are a better caregiver to our planet than I could ever hope to be!

Traci - posted on 06/27/2009

As far as being green, Megan, I'd say you do better than ok! Good job. ;)



I recycle, kind of. I breastfed. That's about it. This whole green movement is nothing but a scam in my opinion though. I think it's good not to be wasteful and stuff, but nobody is going to guilt me into not using an air conditioner when it's 90 degrees outside, you know? When it's that hot, I don't give a hoot what my so called carbon footprint is and I betcha Al Gore doesn't either. Sorry, but that's progress, baby! LOL



The organic is over rated and honestly, I can't afford it anyway. I live in a very rural area and it would take me the better part of a day to walk to the nearest grocery store, so I happily drive my SUV there. I would rather have had a minivan, but I'll be damned if I'm going to drive a go kart around. Those little "green" cars they are hyping right now can't hold a family. And if you happen to get into an accident in one of those tin cans, what are the odds that you're going to make it out alive? Not good.



Let me go off about those stupid light bulbs, too. I used to be waaaaay more worried about being green, until I actually saw it for what it was. I did like Oprah said and replaced all my perfectly fine incandescent bulbs with mercury-laden ugly ones that cost me $5 PER bulb as opposed to $2 for 4 bulbs that my old ones cost. When you turn on the light switch they take a few seconds to turn on all the way, very annoying. They are terrible for people who get migraines or people who have epilepsy. Heaven forbid you should break one in your home. Take a look at the EPA's website which tells you what you need to do in the event one should break. There's like 15 steps or something! It's ridiculous! They have mercury in them and are very dangerous. They are crappy, but we are being forced to use them. As of 2012, they are outlawed in the US. Australia already banned them. Outlawing lightbulbs??? Ridiculous. And you can't even throw them away with the regular garbage. How many people do you think are really going to toss their bulb into a bag, drive in their car to the nearest recycling location, and dispose of them properly??? I'm guessing less than 30%. Guess where all that mercury is going to go??? We already can't eat many fish while we are pregnant due to the high mercury content. Imagine what this is going to do. Allright, I'm done for now. ;)



Don't believe the hype and don't feel guilty for all the pleasures we enjoy in this civilized world. Don't be wasteful, don't litter, conserve water. If it makes you feel like a better person, then by all means, but don't believe all the hype either. There's a lot of money to be made from this whole thing and that's what it's all about MONEY. :)



That's my opinion. :)