It's not easy being 'green'.

Confession: I am not doing all that I can for the environment!

With Earth Day approaching, I got to thinking, scary I know! The average household of five puts out about three large garbage bags filled with trash on the curb each week for pick-up. Actually, I just made that statistic up, but it sounds about right doesn't it? Unless of course you live in my house. It never ceases to amaze me how much trash we put out each week for collection. Just yesterday, which was trash day, we put out two of those large outdoor trashcans filled with three or four bags each. In addition to that we put out another three bags, plus an assortment of stuff that my hubby had collected during his cleaning of the garage. That is about ten bags of trash folks. Ten bags! Now every week is not a ten bag week, but never-the-less we produce more than our fair share. Even my cousin, who I owe the inspiration for this entry to, is amazed at our trash output. She herself has a husband, two children, and two cats. And yet somehow week after week we are out trashing them. So, needless to say I feel like no friend to the environment right now.

In this week's trash frenzy we also threw away a high chair that was used by all three of my kids. I'd asked around and no one seemed to need it or want it, so out it went. I feel guilty about this. I suppose we could have driven it to Goodwill, or posted it on Freecycle or Craigslist. But, at that moment, trash day was nearing and I just wanted it OUT! And so it sat on the curb with all of the other trash, taunting me. It's as if it was saying "you call yourself an environmentalist-ha!"
We all know that any self respecting conservationist mom would have done whatever she had to do to be sure that the highchair didn't wind up as more non-biodegradable waste in a landfill somewhere. I mean, if I were a good 'green' mom, I'd have dismantled it and used it parts to create some sort of new age baby doll clubhouse or something. There has to be some use for 7 year old, food crusted, crayon marked, highchair, right?

And so I call to you all, for two things. First I would love to hear any suggestions you may have for helping us to reduce the amount of trash we are putting out every week. Apart from the obvious diapers and the 'regular' household trash that does not get recycled (tissues, napkins, food wrappers, etc.), I don't know where we are accumulating so much. We are by no means a 'disposable' friendly family. With the exception of diapers of course. I'd love to have used cloth, but who has the time? (Applause to those who DO make the time!) And second, I implore everyone who reads this blog entry to go out and do one 'green' thing for your family or your household right now. Heck, I'll even take the time to post some easy suggestions for you. After all, I have all that free time I saved on building the highchair dollhouse!

Easy things you do to take the first steps to going green for a better future:

Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL's)- CFL's use up to 75% less energy. They also last up to ten years longer than incandescent bulbs. They cost more up front, but they honestly more than pay for themselves almost immediately with the energy saving. Try replacing just one!! I read somewhere that if everyone replaced just one bulb in their house with a CFL it would be like taking eleven million cars off the road.

Invest in one or two of the cloth or canvas grocery bags. Every store is carrying them now, or you can even use old tote bags you have lying around that have no real use but to take up space. It eliminates all of the waste from paper and plastic grocery bags, which have a huge environmental impact. This is by far one of the easiest things you can do! Now, just remember to take them with you to the store. My cousin hangs hers on her front door!

Recycle, Recycle, Recycle!!! If you still live in one of the few places that do not have recycling facilities- complain!! Call you're elected officials, your town or city hall, and get the ball rolling. It only takes one person to speak up to get things started.

Stop the 'snail mail'. Contact the National Do Not Mail List, It is free and can stop most of that pesky junk mail from piling up at your front door!

I'd love to hear more ideas from people, so send them in! I promise to work harder if you will. The earth is all we have people, there is not another one when this one is shot!