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Feature Story – New Year’s Resolutions

Connie joins the Newlygreens on Morning Blend for a discussion about green goal setting for the New Year.

4 Goals for the New Year

Goal 1 – Put Up A Clothes Line.

Surprised we don’t have one yet? Well… us too kind of. We did, but over the years some shrubs have crept in. So this year we’re planning on setting up a new line in a more effective locale.

Goal 2 – Reduce Clutter

Thanks to the book “Simplify Your Life” by Elaine St. James for inspiration
In many respects living Green boils down to leading a simpler life. One way to embody this is to remove clutter from your life. One important thing to remember is that you do not have to deny yourself the things you really want but free yourself from the things you don’t want or need.

Strategies for removing clutter
1) OUT WITH THE OLD -  If you have not used it in over a year get rid of (find a new home for) it. The green caveat is that the dumpster should be your the last resort. Veterans, Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity and local agencies all take a variety of household items.

2) IN WITH THE NEW -

• Start a 30 day list for purchases – Put anything you are “dying” to have on the “30 day list”. If you still want it after 30 days go for it. But remember, try to bring in more meaning, less stuff.
• Do you have something that can serve this function already? Can you fix, rent, buy used this item?
• Redecorate Green Style – Instead of buying all new furniture for that tired room give it a lift with some reorganization.  Think balance, lighting, functionality and how people move through the space.

3) CLUTTER’S NOT JUST FOR STUFF ANYMORE. Unclutter your time.  Take one hour a day for 30 days to think about how you spend your time. Maintaining a complicated life is a great way to avoid changing it… There’s nothing more “dangerous” than having little time on your hands.
What is it that’s most complicating my life? Am I working too hard? Am I working at a job I don’t like? Are my kids draining all my energy? Then start thinking about how and what you can cut back.

In a recent study of Samaritanism it was found that one of the greatest contributing factors to an individual not stopping to help someone in distress was if they felt like they were in a rush.  Kind of makes you wonder what the world would be like if we all slowed down a bit.

Goal 3 – Reduce waste

1) PreCycle – consider the packaging before you buy. Opt for bulk buys with no containers, 1 and 2 plastics, or cardboard not waxed paper or juice boxes.

2) Buy products made of recycled material like Marcal paper products. The contracting economy has badly hurt recycling markets. Buying recycled material supports the recycled material market and keeps reusable materials out of the landfill or incinerators.

3) Stop buying clothes that need to be dry cleaned you’ll save water, soap, time, and money.

4) 4 things to carry in your purse, backpack or briefcase:

1. Stainless Steel water bottle
2. Re-usable shopping bags or Chico Bag
   
3. Silverware – carry a set in a toothbrush travel case.
4. Handkerchief - Even if you can’t dig on the more “snotty” aspects, use it as a napkin or hand towel instead of disposables.

5) Take 2 minutes off your shower time. A 10 minute shower uses less water than a typical bath. The “navy” shower is where you turn off the water in during soaping and back on for rinse for the hardcore efficiency seeker.

Goal 4 – Up the Efficiency

LED Lighting – Take advantage of the after Christmas clearance sales and pick up some LED lights at a bargain. Our local supermarket had lights at 75% off. A string of LED lights can save over $4 over the mini Christmas lights. This time of year you can find sets for under $3. They’ll pay for themselves in one season.
Efficient Lights and Color Temperature – Color Temp 101
A word about lights and color temperature. Both Compact Florescent and LED lighting present a challenge in the color of the light they produce. I have heard many people complain lights are too “Blue” or “Cold”. Here’s a little color temp 101.
The color temperature of lighting is described using a Kelvin scale. Lights generally fall between 2000-12000 with most between 2500 and 6000. Lights at 2000 are very orange, lights at 12000 are very blue.
The Kelvin scale was derived by heating a piece of metal (blackbody radiator). When the metal first started to heat up it was orange, as it got hotter it got whiter, then it ultimately crossed into blue at its hottest point. You can think of a flame: The cooler outside is orange, the midpoint is white, the hottest center is blue.
Modern lighting can be almost any color temperature so you should look for a numerical color temp value to help you match the light to the use. Unfortunately not all lights print the actual color temp on the packaging, they say things like “cool white” or “warm white” or worst of all “white“. Well that’s nice but what do you consider “cool” Mr. Marketer?
(2500-3000) – Bedroom lighting is usually warmer as are holiday lights. If you want the “traditional” little light look try to find lights in this range. This would generally be called “warm white” but don’t trust the descriptions look for hard numbers.
(3500) – is generally pretty neutral, good for living rooms, and entertainment areas
(4000-5000) – we’re getting into cool blue now. Sometimes called “daylight” on the high side. Good for workspaces, shops, kitchens, and places you want to wake people up.