31. Posted by Nanci K. on Fri, Aug 17, 2007, 12:07 pm PDT

One more thing...We use the canvas shopping bags for our large shopping trips, but not every shopping trip. If my husband picks up a few things on his way hmoe from work, he asks for paper sacks. With the composting and recycling, we don't fill up garbage sacks that quickly, so we always have plenty on hand for use as trash bags, and brown paper wrapping for packages, or arts and crafts for the kids, or whatever.

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32. Posted by altbordeaux on Fri, Aug 17, 2007, 12:09 pm PDT

It's easy to make your own all purpose cleaner for counters etc. Get a spray bottle and put in a couple squirts of dishwashing liquid (nontixic of course: 7th Generation or Earth Friendly are 2 I like. Then add 10-15 drops of some essential oil (lemon, orange, tangerine, nutmeg or whatever you like the scent of). Now fill the bottle with water, put the top on and shake it all up. This is cheap and earth friendly, an unbeatable combination and it smells so good. The only expense is the essential oil, which will run you about 5 bucks, but it will last a long time since you only use a few drops at a time. It's fun to experiement with different combinations, and one I love is tangerine and nutmeg. It makes you want to clean! have fun...

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33. Posted by tammy j on Fri, Aug 17, 2007, 12:10 pm PDT

i think that people should stop driving cars that would make the air clear up right but the goverment doesnt want to loose mony after spending it on getting property where gas is we should be like china and ride bikes then you wouldent have to worry abot soller and hydrogen cars but untill that happens you should learn all the eco-friendly tips

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34. Posted by ladybugbluz70 on Fri, Aug 17, 2007, 12:10 pm PDT

Treat the earth well. It was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children. We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children. Ancient Indian Proverb

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35. Posted by Deni on Fri, Aug 17, 2007, 12:11 pm PDT

Quote: "There are so many other things to consider and yet so many people think only of money. As for me, I don't care how cheap something is at W-Mart...I will not shop there." Nice sentiment, but completely illogical. You make a logical fallacy assuming that all people share similar circumstances and have the luxury of choosing not to shop at Wal-Mart. Also, many of you eco-ists assume that resources are saved by being eco-friendly and in many cases such as recycling it is simply not true due to inefficiency. It's just another business case for some entrepreneur to make more money off a niche market by selling bio-degradable trash-bags that many people can't afford, but "eco-conscious" people will purchase. The truth of the matter is there is no way to be truly eco friendly unless man stops living on Earth or goes completely native. I'm pretty sure that's never happening. My suggestion is to buy the products so you feel good about yourself and stop the lectures and do some research, because you're not making a difference until you can make these things feasible and "truly" eco-friendly.

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36. Posted by altbordeaux on Fri, Aug 17, 2007, 12:13 pm PDT

It's easy to make your own all purpose cleaner for counters etc. Get a spray bottle and put in a couple squirts of dishwashing liquid (nontixic of course: 7th Generation or Earth Friendly are 2 I like. Then add 10-15 drops of some essential oil (lemon, orange, tangerine, nutmeg or whatever you like the scent of). Now fill the bottle with water, put the top on and shake it all up. This is cheap and earth friendly, an unbeatable combination and it smells so good. The only expense is the essential oil, which will run you about 5 bucks, but it will last a long time since you only use a few drops at a time. It's fun to experiement with different combinations, and one I love is tangerine and nutmeg. It makes you want to clean! have fun...

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37. Posted by Nate on Fri, Aug 17, 2007, 12:23 pm PDT

esrenity - Your comment that higher demand will naturally lower prices is counter to basic economic principles and ignorant.

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38. Posted by unixchix0r on Fri, Aug 17, 2007, 12:28 pm PDT

Trader Joe's is excellent for some cleaners and paper products and with great prices. We buy their 100% PCW toilet paper and occasionally their paper towels (we've almost completely moved to using cloth rags for everything!). They also sell recycled content paper napkins (but go for cloth ones and throw them in the wash, so easy). Their 'Next to Godliness' line is superb. We use their hand soap, the powder dish washer detergent, and their liquid dish soap. They do carry a powder clothes detergent but we're quite partial to Seventh Generation Free and Clear liquid. Just add some Borax or Washing Soda for some tough soiled/stain fighting. One other cleaner that we love is Bon Ami. For basic scrubbing we use baking soda but, for the tough stuff Bon Ami is really a great powder. Oh! don't forget shampoos and conditioners! Trader Joe's carries ones that are biodegradable, phthalates free, no hormone disruptors, or formaldehyde. Happy Shopping!

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39. Posted by idrink_xs on Fri, Aug 17, 2007, 12:33 pm PDT

I so much agree with horny_naked_banker. Why do most people use price as their decision criterium? I will not shop at Wal-Mart or Target either. Millions of good American people who are loyal to Wal-Mart have already spent X amount of money at places like Wal-Mart and Target because they are "broke minded". They will only get broke slower. The broke minded are not stupid or bad people! Because I have many family members who are broke minded. I love my family. They were just not informed on how to make money while spending it. They did not know how to shop from a source that incentivised them every month for being loyal to a place that helps them to $ave money and make money while spending money at the same time. Has anyone noticed more people are reading the menu from right to left at their favorite restaurant? That's because how much money they have in their pocket will determine what and how much you will eat. More and more people are hurting financially! So why not shop somewhere that will allow people like you to make money while they spend money while getting high quality eco friendly products sent straight to your house with Free shipping* so you will not have to drive and waste your fuel. And like horny_naked-banker said, there are better things to consider like our suffering eco system. I'm not saying money isn't important because it really is. We are Americans and we deserve a better life! How do you want to live!?!

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40. Posted by earthyrenee on Fri, Aug 17, 2007, 12:54 pm PDT

It is true, if more people started using organic products the market would not be so high. The same goes for using solar and power energy. Because there is no great demand at this time, prices may double or triple to what you normally pay for a commercialized item (but then, commercialized has a higher demand). As for bottled water, what you see is not what you get. I save a lot of money by using the Brita filtered water dispenser. Sure, it takes time for the water to run through the filter, but it isn't costing me anything to go find something else to do while waiting on the water to finish dripping. I do a multiple of bottles at a time and put them in the fridge for later use. Besides, think of the personal impact we can do if we join together (yes, even as individuals). It is too bad so many people have waited so long in realizing CO2 emissions are hurting our planet in ways that is unrepairable. Great post Colleen (Post #30). I took the pledge a couple of months ago and have been practicing "Clean Earth and Go Green" since 1979 : - D

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41. Posted by leigha_perry on Fri, Aug 17, 2007, 1:07 pm PDT

For those who complain about price: When the landfill is in your front yard, then will you spend an extra $1 here and there? If not done now it will cost more later. Maybe buy yourself one less outfit or other materialistic expenditure per month to enhance the health of yourself and your family. Great way to run from the problems YOU are creating on a daily basis. Prevention is the best medicine always. Why wait until these issues slap you and your children in the face? Do you think $ is less valuable to those spending it on organic and eco-friendly products? If you don't support recycling and green products then you should volunteer at the landfills to clean up your mess. Supply and demand determine price and now health. Figure it out.

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42. Posted by Joe W on Fri, Aug 17, 2007, 1:10 pm PDT

Have you looked at the standard size of kitchen trash bags? Sorry, but 15 quart isn't going to cut it.

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43. Posted by vandlent v on Fri, Aug 17, 2007, 1:26 pm PDT

If you really want eco friendly non toxic cleaners then this is the BEST & MOST AFFORDABLE..U will save thousands of dollars by choosing the GREEN leader here: http://www.shaklee.net/lookandfeelyounger/gc_getstarted1 Watch Oprah raving over these products that she also uses: http://www.shaklee.net/pws/library/flash/getclean-tv2.html

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44. Posted by Kathy (= on Fri, Aug 17, 2007, 2:00 pm PDT

Canadians are the best, when it comes to being eco-friendly.

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45. Posted by Kathy (= on Fri, Aug 17, 2007, 2:13 pm PDT

I think we should recycle our hygeiine bottles, like shampoo, conditioner and body wash.

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46. Posted by signer168 on Fri, Aug 17, 2007, 3:29 pm PDT

Not being able to afford this stuff is a SORRY EXCUSE. . . . this is all too important to NOT do it. Get rid of the double shot vanilla skim milk latte everyday and use that $5 a day to buy this stuff. You wouldn't stop brushing your teeth cuz you can't afford toothpaste . . . WE HAVE TO START TAKING CARE OF THIS EARTH just as we do our own health, it must become a priority NOT for some but for everyone.

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47. Posted by melaniedawnsm on Fri, Aug 17, 2007, 6:11 pm PDT

Yes! I am so pleased to see so many people in support of doing what you can for the environment. The compost bags are great for compost, trash and picking up dog poo. The house cleaner, well, I make my own with 1/2 water, 1/2 peroxide and a few drops of tea tree oil, but vinegar, baking soda, lemon all owrk great too. The plastic bottle situation has been driving me nuts! I can't believe so many people waste money on them and then throw them away. I drink filtered water, but I bought a 64oz. stainless steel thermos and put my water in that, then carry that and a stainless steel mug with me wherever I go. Paid for them once, refill them at 35 cents a gallon and will use them for the rest of my life!! Much better than a thousand plastic bottles.

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48. Posted by frogkickfrolic on Sat, Apr 25, 2009, 10:10 am PDT

You bi*ches need to stfu about how you're so "eco friendly" and it's so "worth it to be that way." If it is SOOOOOO worth it, than why didn't you all do it in the first place?.. that way the planet wouldn't be in the condition that it is right now. It's a bit late to try and "save the Earth" and all this bs when you've ALREADY destroyed it. You can't undo the damage that's been done.

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49. Posted by Beobeo on Tue, Apr 28, 2009, 4:28 am PDT

It seems to be helpful.

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50. Posted by Jerry on Thu, May 21, 2009, 9:35 pm PDT

Wow eco-friendly kitchen sounds good.

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51. Posted by o2bpattycake on Sat, Jun 20, 2009, 9:53 pm PDT

We all should do what we can...every little bit helps. Thanks!

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