Green Living
Dear Community,
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
For those who don't use paper..
How do you limit the amount that you use? Do you still use kleenex? We recycle every piece of paper and cardboard we can.
Recently my younger brother told me a fact that he learned in high school. He said that if the U.S. doesn't switch to hemp or something other than trees to make paper, that over half of the Amazon will be cut down within 40 years. That is so sad! It makes me sick.
There are many people that would rather use paper or wood products over regular, like wooden toys vs. plastic. Is it really better for the environment? It is keeping plastic out of landfills, but is killing trees in the process. What do you think? What are your ways of saving paper/trees?
Re: For those who don't use paper..
We still use tissues when needed and just try to reduce as much as possible. We got like 10 boxes from DH's dad's work and haven't even gotten thru 2 of them though! We do keep paper napkins & towels around that are 100% recycled, but primarily use cloth.
We are doing research into FSC-certified wood floors for a renovation we are planning and I came upon a really disturbing article the other day about how much wood we use...trying to find it! I now cringe when I hear people rave about their new brazilian cherry hardwood floors... sorry Amazon.
There are many reasons to avoid plastic, among them: the env impact of production, the short lifespan (breaks easily), minimal reuse/recycling options for many plastics, and health effects of some plastics. Recycled plastics (e.g., milk cartons and grocery bags turned into wood-looking boards that are often used for benches). Bamboo is a good alternative for wood (not for cotton), as it is a grass that grows readily. It is easy to clean and handles water well (better than true woods).
In general it is more environmentally sound to choose quality products that will last because less waste comes from them and often lower toxicity is associated with the production and use of such products (e.g., a solid wood bookshelf instead of one made of composite board) when responsible wood (i.e., FSC Certified) is used. These products are likely to last and wear well and will remain in good condition for many years/generations.
I use handkerchiefs unless i am sick and contagious. Remember to reuse before recycling: cut up flyers, etc. into note paper, cut cardboard to use between dishes (instead of paper towels as i hear is common), etc. We use toilet paper, though i would consider family cloth for urination if i didn't have a roommate. Recycled paper products (from notepaper to toilet paper) are available and are not markedly more expensive than non-recycled comparable products. Post-consumer is best, but expect to find some pre-consumer waste, as well.
Buy books used (or in electronically) and sell/donate/pass along when done, remove yourself from passive paper use (junk mail, etc.) and consider while it's really important to you to continue magazine subscriptions, read the newspaper online, etc.
Best sound ever: baby's heartbeat! (Heard @ 10w1d)
We use these organic cotton hankies instead of Kleenex. We switched awhile ago to cloth napkins, and have a number of different kinds of rags for cleaning different things. We only use paper towels now for pet messes and draining bacon, so a roll lasts us about a month. We pay all our bills online, and I reduce my paper use at work as much as I can.
Even if you recycle, the tree is still being cut down. Strive to reduce your paper use, not just recycle what you do use. Sign up for a junk mail filter, and cut paper towels and kleenex. We've decided family cloth is a step we're not willing to make, but using hankies has cut our TP usage in half.