How To Save the Planet and Save Money

Very often we think that the changes that are happening around us in regards to the environment are sort of out of our control. What can we do to really have any kind of impact? And this is true if we think of ourselves as single units, but given our power to create change as groups and waves of populations doing the same thing is another matter altogether. Consider bees working for their mutual survival, as they manage to keep the colony well fed and defended. They can manage this because they have one mandate, and that is “the survival of the colony.” We can benefit from this model as we live our daily lives, by not doing what is negative for the earth, as it will affect not only ourselves, but all of humankind. Yes, little ole you has more power than you think. You are the stuff of change. The real change comes when we alter the way we think about our planet to that of a partner and the cradle of our existence. I say this because, as I give a list of ideas of how to reduce our negative impact on the earth, you yourself can come up with better, more efficient and newer ways to create economies to move this great agenda forward. Let us start by not producing mountains and mountains of waste that emit toxins into the air and the earth, destroying its beauty, fecundity and then that debt is ultimately paid back by us in our health. Next, we need to eat foods that are produced locally and with fewer toxins.We also need to stop using products that are toxic. When we stop poisoning ourselves, we in turn stop poisoning the planet, which in turn stops poisoning us. It’s simple, cyclical but true. And then lastly, the closer the food source the less fuel is required to bring the food to market, hence less carbon dioxide is produced and there is less heating of the planet.The following practices I will outline reinforce these basic tenets, many of which you may already know and practice, and some ask you to step up your game. You don’t have to feel overwhelmed by these do’s and don’ts. Take away from it what works for you, and if each of us changes a little, then that is a lot of change. Over time it’s really changing our attitude, that we can and will produce a positive impact on the earth, which will be our true triumph.These suggestions are in no particular order, I wrote them down as they came to mind. I would love this to be a living record that grows from your added contributions as to what you are doing or think would be a great idea or how these ideas can be tweaked. 1. Use cotton rags that you can wash and reuse and not paper towels.Save money and produce less waste. 2. Stop using plastic wrap or aluminum foil Put a ceramic plate to cover your leftovers in glass/metal/ ceramic bowls in the fridge.This is just as good as any plastic wrap. You will save money and the destructive plastic and aluminum is not being thrown into the trash. I have not used either one of these for several years. 3. Compost vegetable scraps. Put your scraps into bags and store in the fridge/freezer and then take to local Farmer’s Market (most farmer’s markets in the city take compost).You can get a list from them of what can and cannot be composted. Here is a list of composting sites in the Ditmas Park/Flatbush/Kensington area. List obtained from the Ditmas Park Corner website dated 9/25/13.Please check and see if these dates and times still apply. Sustainable Flatbush
 219 East 21st Street (between Church Ave and Kenmore Terrace)
Wednesdays 6-8pm through October 23
Saturdays 10am-12pm through October 26Compost for Brooklyn
 Corner of Newkirk Avenue and East 8th Street
Thursdays 12:30-2:30pm through the end of November
The following Saturdays 11-1pm: September 28, October 12 & 26, and November 9 & 23Cortelyou Greenmarket 
Rugby Road just off Cortelyou
Sundays 8am-1pm year-round, unless otherwise noted4. Buy your food in bulk. If you purchase some of your staples, such as rice, spices, nuts, dry fruit, dry legumes, in bulk at your local market you will absolutely save, and you will not be getting the bulky packaging that you will need discard.I purchased about a full jar worth of curry the other day for $1.34. Also, the food you purchase can be better stored in glass containers that will be reused and will not leach plastic into the food.5. Use metal/glass/ceramic canister for lunch container. Very often we use plastic containers that over a short period of time will degrade and leach into our food and have to be thrown away.A stainless steel canister with tight fitting lid can be reused indefinitely. I have seen these in Asian shops and some larger fully stocked 99 Cent stores. 6. Use Your Own Utensils- When eating at the cafeteria you go to every day of the week, use your fork that you bring with you. Wash it in the restroom. You are using less, they are buying less and less goes into the landfills. 7. Purchase Vegetables Locally Being part of a CSA you will be getting organic vegetables that don’t pollute the earth with toxins. You will also reap the reward of getting fresh and healthy food choices. You will save money and you will be investing in the prosperity of a local farmer. If a share is too expensive, consider splitting your share with another family. CSA and local farmer’s markets use less fuel to bring produce to market and hence less heating of the earth. Check out your local health food markets, many now get their organics locally as well. The Flatbush Food Coop is one of them. 8. Don’t use your air conditioner. These appliances produce a tremendous amount of heat. This is a big one for many of us who have grown up with this convenience, but the truth is that sweating is a healthy process that helps us to discharge toxins from our bodies. Also, sweating actually keeps our body weight down. By sweating we melt these pounds away. A good way to find comfort on the worst days is to go to a local coffee shop or the movies, where many will be using an air conditioner that is already in use. You will save money and you will stimulate the local economy. This is not recommended for anyone that has any known physical ailment that requires regulated temperatures or with compromised health issues (these include pregnant women). If you have any questions speak with your doctor or trusted health professional. 9. Recycle. I am talking about taking it to another level. Scrupulously put all your glass, metal and plastic into recycling. And this means any glass/plastic bottles that you use at your work or when you are on the go. Very often office buildings and takeout eateries in New York City do not recycle their trash. So take it upon yourself to make the difference and take your bottles/cans home with you and place in recycling.10. Buy used clothing or swap your clothes. What is old for one is new to another. You can donate your used clothing to charities or have it recycled at the Cortelyou Green Market. They collect textiles along composting every Sunday on Argyle and Cortelyou Road, from 8am-1pm. 11. Take a bowl or container with you to pick up takeout. If you ask the restaurant to put the meal into your own container you save them money, and you don’t get a plastic container that you need to throw away. 12. When getting takeout don’t get the extra sauces. How many times have you tossed those extra sauces into the trash, including the plastic fork/spoons. Tell them to leave them out, you save them money, and there is less waste.13. Don’t drink water from plastic bottles. Use glass, ceramic or metal water bottles you carry with you. Also, get a water filter for your sink, so you don’t have to buy bottled water or store water in a plastic pitcher. Those mountains of plastic bottles are in the landfills because we purchased that water.14. Purchase soaps that are biodegradable. You can purchase soaps that are good for the environment, or you can simply use vinegar and baking soda for most of your cleaning needs. It’s cheap and there are all kinds of amazing uses available on the internet. 15. Cook meals from scratch. I know this can be difficult with our full lives running from one thing or another.Understanding we don’t have the time, cook one or two large meals for the week and then freeze/refrigerate, reheat and change it up with a side dish that’s is easy to prepare, to make the meal fresh and interesting again. By cooking with basic ingredients, and not packaged products, we eat healthier, it hurts our wallets less, and there is less waste. Another added benefit, a family that eats together, is a family that communicates and stays together. 16. Don’t get the wrapper paper when buying flowers. When buying flowers don’t get the extra paper wrapper, just take the flowers in the cellophane they are already wrapped in. And don’t take the toxic chemical packet. Just cut the stems when you get home, place in cold water and change water in 3 days time, this will make most flowers last at least a week. 17. Travel by foot/bike/public transport. The less fossil fuel we use, the less the planet is warmed. Get together with neighbors, co-workers and pool errands that need to be done via car. Walk and bike ride, it’s healthier for you and the planet. 18. Drive a Hybrid. Some us have to drive. Hybrids save you a bunch in gas bills and time (a very precious commodity), because you are not always going to the gas pump. 19. Reducing the amount of meat we eat. Some of us have already decided that eating less meat will be better for our health, or we have made that choice for humanitarian reasons, but believe it or not it is also better for the planet. All the cattle on the planet produces an enormous amount of methane gas from the flatulence they produce. And the truth is we don’t need to consume mega-amounts of meat to stay healthy or get the protein we need. So if you reduce your consumption by any degree, that will be of help. 20. Get Unplugged. We don’t know it, but we are paying for electricity that we are not using, which is causing those generators to work extra hard and produce more heat. And we are losing money that we don’t have. If you have any items in your house that have LED lights, for instance the microwave, the clock radio, the toaster (yes, that little red light) or your phone charger, then you are wasting electricity and money needlessly. If you are not using them, unplug them. Here is a biggy, if your modem is plugged in while you are out of the house or asleep, you are paying big time. My electric bill went up to $80 per month from $45 when got a modem. I merely unplug it when not in use and my bill went right back to $45. 21. Stop Burning Those Lights. My parents were always on my case to turn off the lights. And they were right. Lights produce heat in the summer, which is not what you want when you are trying to stay cool. You need to make sure you have energy saver light bulbs in every fixture. You save money by getting a smaller electric bill, but you will also save money by not having to change the bulbs. I change a bulb maybe once a year. 22. No More Paper Plates – Many of us have dishwashers, so why do we pay for and use paper plates. This just adds to the landfills. You think it saves time, but the time that you have to pack up and carry out the trash, you could have stacked and run the dishwasher. I know that using paper plates outside in the patio area works as it keeps the family from getting cut feet with broken ceramic plates, so the suggestion is to buy tempered glass plates and cups. These plates are attractive, the wash well and if they fall they don’t usually break. They are usually white like Corningware. But if you must use paper, use paper plates that are biodegradable with real silverware. Forget the Styrofoam.23. Reuse Gift Bags & Calendars It has long been a tradition with me, that I wrap gifts in gift bags during the holidays. When we are opening gifts, I gently fold the bags and store for next year. What a huge reduction of waste and time and headaches dealing with all that crazy wrapping. The second reuse is with lovely calendars with picturesque scenes as gift-wrap for presents throughout the year. Very often friends are delighted with the unique wrapping. 24. The Reuseable Razor Yikes, why am I using those plastic disposable razors? Get the old fashioned metal one or an electric. 25. Return Your Hangers If you use a dry cleaner to press your shirts, ask them if they would like to have the hangers returned to them, when you pick up your next order. No more hangers in the recycle and you increase the profit margin for a local business. 26. Consider Changing Your Energy Supplier There are new companies that provide energy by using wind power. Investigate which company might work best for you.