A Greener House

[lost_angel]

Here are a list of changes we have made both recently and over the last five years to make our house and our way of life more "green". Some changes have been successful; others have been difficult.

Recent changes
1. Stopped buying paper plates, solo cups, or plastic utensils.In my kitchen the following conversation can be heard at least once

Comments

[alcamar]

I've tried using the rechargeable batteries at home, but it seems that if I leave them in the charger, forgetting to take them out when they're done, that they're dead when I want to go use them. They're fine if I take them out in time and just have them sitting in whatever device, but leave them in the charger and they will drain

[lost_angel]

Wow! That is so interesting. The only thing that we'd use concrete for the the coming years would be digging footers for the deck, which would put the concrete underground and bricked over in the exposed areas. We could also repour the walkway up to the front door, so that's an option, too.

[jopasm]

About the batteries - check out the new generation of non-self-discharging NIMH batteries. Sanyo Eneloops and Rayovac hybrids are a couple of brand names. Basically they combine the shelf life and ready-to-go-ness of alkaline w/ the rechargeable capabilities of NIMH. It's what I use in everything - digital cameras, GPS, and voice recorder, these days. I keep alkalines on hand as emergency spares in case I burn through all the rechargeables, but it's made a difference - I spent $20 up front for AA batts for my camera, that's probably saved me a good bit over buying alkalines every week!

[alcamar]

Yeah, I don't use batteries really all that much. Remotes, my wiimotes, and that's about it. If I just remember to take them off before they drain, they last nearly forever anyways(low drain, all that). I don't use my camera much, and that's really the only high drain usage that I'd get.

But next time I am in the market for batteries, I will check them out. Thanks.

[birdofparadox]

See, I just sacrifice the convenience of portable vibes, and stick to plugin models.

[lost_angel]

I have never owned one that plugs in, but now I want one :)

[birdofparadox]

The only downswing is when you're bored out of your skull AND the power's off.

[white_dandelion]

Sorry... just had to chuckle at that.

Also I never really thought about a plug in before. Never seen one. It would make car trips and international travel/living interesting.

Maybe a battery op backup would be in order... for those real emergencies. hehe

[white_dandelion]

I think it is awesome home much you've been able to do to conserve and be green! Ever since living in Germany I've been a whole lot more aware of our garbage. We Recycled practically everything. Moving back to the states made me realize how much we don't do over here in the US. Here they accept only Plastics 1 & 2, Food and drink cans, and paper for recycling.

I applaud your efforts to recycle even if it is a bit more difficult. We just bought a wall mounted can crusher so we can better fit our recycling into the bin.

I've been seeing more and more people with re-useable shopping bags, much more than when we left the states 5 years ago. I have a collapsable shopping basket that I love taking places. People always ask about it and I've never had the *sighs* of people behind me being grummbly about a minute or two extra load time.

If and when we ever do buy a house... I'd love to have a tankless hot water system. Thanks for the info about electric vs. gas!

[lost_angel]

I get super angry any time I think about how forward thinking most Americans think our country is and they don't realize how far behind we are compared to Europe in recycling, energy conservation, health care availability, education, and even internet connection availability. I love my country, but I want Americans to constantly improve ourselves and our country, to be proud of what we can continue to attain rather than what we used to be and erroneously still think we are

[white_dandelion]

Here is my old basket... retired for use around the house because it's mostly worn out. It has one Handle and no zipper top

[lost_angel]

Those baskets are awesome. It seems like it would be pretty easy to handle despite the bulk and unloading the car would certainly go faster! Do you leave the baskets collapsed in your shopping buggy until you reach the checkout counter or do you load them up as you go? If you're at a farmers' market, I suppose you just need one to heft around.

I have frequently been wishful of a reliable, timely city-to-city public transit. Amtrak, while a fun experience, is not efficient or dependable or even that affordable, really. But I think, outside of dense metropolitan areas, our country is too big and most of our cities too spread out to implement such a system.