What can I do to be more environmentally friendly?

To contact me directly please e-mail: meganduncanson@yahoo.com


First off I signed the Surfrider Foundation's Plastic Pledge:

I commit to do my part to rise above plastics and protect the world's oceans, waves and beaches from plastic pollution. I will do this by:

• - Using reusable bottles for my water and other drinks. By using just one reusable bottle, I will keep 167 single-use plastic bottles from entering the environment.

• - Using cloth bags for groceries and other purchases. For each reusable bag I use, I will save approximately 400 plastics from being used.

• - Recycling the plastic bags and bottles I already have. For every thirteen plastic bags I don't use, I will save enough petroleum to drive a car one mile.

My daughter is a volleyball player who plays the sport year round, it's amazing the amount of plastic water bottles that these girls use!! My daughter and I were discussing the other day how she and her team can minimize the use of plastic and instead use aluminum bottles and simply refill them, and at the same time be a good example to other girls and teams. We need to find some really cool one's that are large enough to hold A LOT of water because she is getting ready to start beach volleyball here in Florida, it get's a little hot :) I personally only use aluminum bottles for water at home, I prefer the way the water tastes in these bottles and it keeps them cooler too! I need to get in the habit of keeping one in my car, so that if I'm out and about I'm not tempted to purchase bottled water.

I'm also going to get the recycle bins for plastic and papers, I'm surprised that when I signed up for garbage service here at my new home that they don't automatically offer the bins; they make sure to provide the large garbage can. It seems it would be a simple step in moving towards helping people be more environmentally friendly. It's the little things that can make the Biggest difference!

I'm also going to be using canvas bags for my groceries :D I've ordered some bags from Zazzle with my designs and environmentally friendly messages. The amount of waste that is created at the grocery store and any other store with plastic bags is unbelievable! The cashier's think nothing of using these bags and putting only one or two products in each bag, stores should be more encouraging towards using reusable bags. Every month they could have free reusable "bag day" where they give away the canvas bags to encourage people to be environmentally friendlier.

I'm also in the process of finding ways to make packaging my paintings for shipping using less resources and less plastic. I'm thinking instead of plastic bags or bubble wrap to go with waxed paper, it will protect the finish of the paintings and it's biodegradable, now I just need to find some that are made with recycled products :D The boxes are the toughest part, unless I can find a company that makes the sizes I need with recycled materials. And if you order a painting from me, please help me be more environmentally friendly by recycling the shipping materials, thank you!!

For the long term and in the future I plan on my next vehicle being a hybrid, my next home will run on solar energy, all of my appliances will be Energy Star rated, my windows will be energy efficient and so on. I will take advantage of whatever other options are available to minimize my "human footprint" on our planet.

What are you going to do this year and in the future to minimize your impact on the environment?