Embracing Kingdom Hope for a Broken World
Posts tagged Green Practices
#20 Reusable Bags
Aug 30th
It is no secret that disposable plastic bags have been targeted for extinction. Reusable alternatives abound. Political campaigns for their removal or tax are commonplace. Knowledge of their inability to break down and adeptness at polluting is mainstream.
So, why do we continue to hear about this? Because plastic bag use continues to be in the hundreds of billions per year. No, that was not a typo.
Even though most of us know it would be better to use a reusable vs a disposable AND own at least a couple of them, we continue to see people using disposables in most stores.
So, let this be your friendly reminder to think ahead when you shop and bring your reusable bags with you.
Already a reusable bag expert? Perhaps it’s time to take things to the next level. Consider using reusable produce bags. Also, factor the packaging of products into your buying decisions. The more recyclable and less packaging the better. Even better, find ways to eliminate packaging (e.g. scooping your flour from a bin into your reusable packaging). This will further remove waste from your shopping experience.
Why don’t you check out this funny video from Heal the Bay about the life of a plastic bag?
Did you can make your own reusable bags from old T-shirts? Here are a few links to help you on your way:
http://www.instructables.com/id/FASTEST-RECYCLED-T-SHIRT-TOTE-BAG/
http://lifehacker.com/5520034/recycle-an-old-t+shirt-into-a-reusable-grocery-bag
http://tipnut.com/35-reusable-grocery-bags-totes-free-patterns/
#19 Rain Barrels
Aug 23rd
In the past we have looked at conserving water as a way to care for God’s creation, today we look more specifically at using rain barrels to help with that task.
First off, what is a rain barrel? Simply put, a rain barrel is a container that is used to collect and store rainwater. These containers typically catch the water from a roof or gutters.
How does it work?
- You connect the downspout of a gutter from your roof to the rain barrel which allows you to collect the water.
- You wait.
- One day it rains.
- Your barrel fills up with water.
- When you need the water (to irrigate your garden or otherwise) you fill up a bucket or attach a hose to the barrel’s spicket.
- You use the water.
- You smile because you are saving money and caring for creation.
Is it worthwhile? In some of our greatest storms I have put out buckets to collect rainwater only to be disappointed at the yield. So can a rain barrel really catch enough water to make it worth the effort? Well, because rain barrels are collecting the water from a much greater surface area (i.e. your roof) than the barrel itself, they are actually capable of collecting great amounts of water in short amounts of time. For they reason, they are effective in even the most arid environments.
Is it affordable? While purchasing a rain barrel such as the ones we sell on the Creation Hope Store is not cheap, there are other DIY alternatives. I got a 50 gallon drum for free on Freecycle which will be DIY’d into a rain barrel (note: a rain barrel is not currently an option for me, though you can see that I will be using one as soon as I can).
Where can I learn more? Try the following resources:
http://www.glgi.org/mediawiki/index.php?title=Rain_barrel
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainwater_tank
Also consider:
#17 Do It Yourself
Aug 9th
Green Living: a series in which we provide tips to help you implement practices, habits, and products into your life which respect and work towards the redemption of God’s creation.
As I was catching up on some blogs I follow recently, I came across this this blog post about a free, eco-friendly weed-killer. It had you scroll down to see what it was. There was the following image of a person’s hand.
Very often we look for great panaceas that will solve all of our problems in one great shot. However, often the most creation-friendly option is to simply use a little people-power (like using your hands to kill weeds instead of utilizing a chemical solution).
The following are a few other ways in which doing it yourself is the more eco-friendly option.
- Walking instead of driving
- Using a hammer instead of a nail gun
- Making your own baby food instead of buying it in containers that need to be recycled or thrown out
- Using a push mower instead of a gas mower
You get the idea.
Of course, this is not always the case. There are exceptions to this rule. For example, using an efficient dishwasher can use much less water than washing dishes with your hands.
Comment below on some other ways in which doing something yourself better cares for God’s creation (whether by reducing chemicals, cutting out waste, using fewer resources, etc.).
Also consider:
#16 Disposing of E-Waste
Jul 26th
Green Living: a series in which we provide tips to help you implement practices, habits, and products into your life which respect and work towards the redemption of God’s creation.
Do you have old technology lying around? Perhaps an obsolete cell phone, a broken printer, or an extra television that you have been holding on to for 20 years just in case you needed it?
Often we have a hard time parting with this technology that held a special place in our hearts and probably set us back a pretty penny.
Take this guy for example. This IBM Model 5100 was the world’s first “portable” computer. It weighed in at about 55 pounds, boasted a 5 inch screen, and could be loaded with up to 64K of RAM (yes, you read that right). Depending on your configuration this baby would have set you back between $8,000 and $20,000. When we spend that kind of money on items we tend to want to hold onto it.
The downside of this is that we often find ourselves storing old items just because we don’t know what to do with them. At some point, however, we realize that we absolutely must dispose of them. But what do you do with e-waste (electronic items that are to be disposed of because they are obsolete, broken, etc) like this?
First, do not dump them in the trash. Many of these items contain materials that can contaminate the environment if dumped in landfills. Additionally, there are many valuable elements in these electronics that can be salvaged and used again.
Second, consider if someone else could benefit from the item. We often replace cell phones, televisions, microwaves, MP3 players, etc even though they still work. If the item is still functional, consider selling or donating it to someone that might be able to get more use out of it. You can sell you products via Ebay, Craigslist, or even a garage sale. When donating consider giving it via Freecycle or the Goodwill. You can also give it to a family member, friend, or local charity.
Third, if there is no other way this item can be reused or repurposed, then recycle it. Keep in mind that not just any recycling center will accept e-waste. Be sure to check with you local recycling center or hazardous waste collection center. Also, many companies like Best Buy now accept some e-waste (although sometimes they will only swap your e-waste in exchange for a new purchase). If you are having trouble finding a place to recycle your items, be sure to check out Earth 911 which helps you find recycling centers for specific items in your area.
- – Don’t forget to remove your data before recycling it – -
I leave you with a list of some things that can be considered e-waste. Happy recycling.
- Alarm clocks
- CD players, DVD players, VCRs, etc
- Cell phones
- Computers, laptops, etc
- Digital Cameras
- Digital Thermometers
- MP3 players
- Phones
- PDAs
- Printers
- Radios
- Stereos
- TVs
- Video Game systems & accessories
Also consider:
Eco Anecdotes: St Mark Presbyterian Church
* Image of IBM Model 5100 from http://oldcomputers.net/
* Image of Garage Sale sign from Home Depot
#15 Conserving Water
Jul 19th
Green Living: a series in which we provide tips to help you implement practices, habits, and products into your life which respect and work towards the redemption of God’s creation.
This last week as I worked with children on creation care, we had them fill out and color a poster. In it there was a bubble that said “I will conserve….” Except for the boy that wrote down that he would conserve fire (awesome!), many of the kids quickly wrote down “water.” Makes sense, right? It is such a natural answer.
As the kids got to the point of writing in how they would do it, that is where they had more difficulty. You see, many of us know that we should conserve water (as clean water is one of our most precious resources), but outside of not being ridiculously wasteful (i.e. leaving a hose on all week) many of us struggle to understand how to put that into action.
So, here are 25 ideas as to how you can practically care for God’s creation in this way:
- Take shorter showers
- If you wait for the shower/ bath water to warm up before getting in, collect the cold water in a bucket and use it to water your lawn and garden
- After cooking pasta or vegetables in a pot of water, dump that water in your garden (after it cools, of course)
- Install a greywater system at your home or work
- Install dual-flush toilets
- When washing dishes by hand, fill the sink instead of letting the water run
- Be sure your sprinklers are water your plants and not your sidewalk
- Run your dishwater when full to maximize the water use
- Using a kiddy pool this summer? Re-use the leftover water
- Replace your shower head with an efficient one
- Use a broom to clean off your driveway or patio instead of hosing it off
- Install a rain barrel at your hose to catch the rain water
- Fix any leaks around the house quickly
- Use mulch around your garden to retain water (and prevent weeds)
- Use a single glass for drinking water around the house over the course of the day in order to reduce the amount of dishes to be washed
- Turn off your irrigation system manually or automatically (by installing a rain sensor) to avoid wasting water after it has already rained
- Don’t use more water than needed for your laundry
- Use local, drought-resistant plants to lower your water needs
- Purchase appliances that use water efficiently
- Use your sprinklers and water your plants during the cool hours of the morning to avoid losing water due to evaporationTurn off the water while you brush your teeth
- Fill the sink with water when you shave to rinse the razor instead of running the faucet. Alternatively, grow a nice beard and don’t shave at all.
- Use a nozzle when washing your car to avoid running the water while lathering your car up. Or take your car to a car wash that minimizes the amount of water used or recycles it.
- Do not thaw meat by running water over it. Let it thaw in the refrigerator.
- Wash fruits and vegetables in a bowl rather than running the faucet continuously
Be sure to talk to your family, friends and co-workers about ways that they can conserve water as well. Remember, this is not something we do because it is popular or otherwise. We do it as a way to care for God’s creation and for our neighbor.
*Image used courtesy of Nikhil Verma
Also consider:
Tip #14 Green Your Teeth
Jul 12th
Green Living: a series in which we provide tips to help you implement practices, habits, and products into your life which respect and work towards the redemption of God’s creation.
I often expect that my care for God’s creation comes in big, challenging ways (like biking instead of driving) but sometimes it can come with a simple switch of routine or product. Such is the case with this week’s green living tip.
Consider how you might better care for creation by merely switching your toothpaste. Yes, that’s right. A green toothpaste. And, no, it will not physically turn your teeth green. But it will help you know that you are being a better steward.
When it comes to green dental hygiene products, Tom’s of Maine is the first on the list.
Here are some of the reasons you should consider their products (as per their own claims):
- No animal testing or animal ingredients
- They share every ingredient, its purpose, and its source on their website
- Sustainable practices are a priority every aspect of their business
- No artificial colors, flavors, fragrance, or preservatives
- They strive to maximize recycled content and recyclability of their packaging
- 5% of employee time goes to volunteering and 10% of profits to human and environmental goodness
I recently tried their Whole Care peppermint toothpaste with fluoride. While it was noticeably different in taste from your standard toothpaste brands, the flavor was just fine. Although I cannot attest to effectiveness, as I am no dental researcher, I love how I can participate in those aspects listed above through simply changing my toothpaste brand.
It is great to cut out all those artificial things. I also really like their efforts at sustainability and recycling (note: their boxes are printed with soy ink on 100% recycled paperboard). And of course, I find it helpful to avoid animal testing and ingredients as well. Finally, their company and employee efforts to participate in what is “good” is certainly an added bonus.
While a little more expensive it is a great way to care for creation and know what is going in your mouth and perhaps down your throat (depending on where you fall in the spit/swallow debate). I encourage you to try a green toothpaste once and see how it works out for you. I, myself, have been pleased.
Interested in further greening your dental hygiene? Tom’s also offers mouthwash and dental floss. There are also other brands out there which offer other eco-friendly options. There are even eco-friendly toothbrushes (such as ones with which you can replace the head).
Two quick notes:
- There are a variety of toothpaste flavors, a couple of which I have read are very strong (cinnamon) or distasteful (fennel). Choose wisely.
- We have no special relationship with Tom’s of Maine and do not stand to gain anything by promoting their products.
Also consider:
Tip #13 Take a Hike
Jun 28th
Green Living: a series in which we provide tips to help you implement practices, habits, and products into your life which respect and work towards the redemption of God’s creation.
I have said it before and will say it again: we cannot care for what we do not appreciate. How can we care for God’s creation if we do not know, understand, and appreciate it? So, this week’s Green Living tip is found in a different vein.
As many of us today live in concrete jungles where buildings often take the place of trees and cars replace animals, it is often necessary to get away to appreciate God’s creation. Enter hiking. In this world of untold beauty, we are never too far from a trail that allows us to experience God’s creation. Even the largest cities have small getaways in the heart of the city where one can go to explore the beauty of creation.
I, myself, was blessed to have parents that frequently took us on hikes out into creation. Whether in the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, the Sequoias, somewhere around the world, or just beyond our backyard it was (and still is) part of our family custom to explore creation through hiking. I believe that this laid deep roots for me that when later coupled with a theology of creation care played a significant role in shaping who I am and what I do today.
As a parent myself, I work hard to help my young daughter appreciate creation. At the same time, it is sometimes daunting to bring children along for these sorts of adventures. As I was looking through my friend Anna Clark’s recent book Green, American Style: Becoming Earth-Friendly and Reaping the Benefits
- Choose an appropriate venue to explore. I do not have to hike up Everest with my daughter in order for her to appreciate creation. There are a variety of options from which I can choose the more appropriate ones for my family and context.
- Be as general or specific as you want. Whether specifically looking for animal tracks, a particular type of plant, or just exploring in general, the key is to be intentional about observing God’s creation around you.
- Pack a zero-waste picnic lunch. Avoid disposable packaging and containers. Anna points out that you can, “use the reusable containers to take home leftovers and add them to your compost.” I love it.
- Bring a bag to tote home collectibles such as leaves, rocks, and flowers. Of course, be careful as some places demand that you “leave only footprints, take only memories.” But, where allowed and not harmful, a leaf or other item may serve as a great reminder or be a point of further exploration.
I encourage you to take a hike and intentionally discover the beauty of this world our Lord created for us. As you further appreciate God’s creation, you will have a greater desire to care for it.
Also consider:
Tip #12 Alternative Transportation (Part 2)
May 24th
Green Living: a series in which we provide tips to help you implement practices, habits, and products into your life which respect and work towards the redemption of God’s creation.
We have been looking at how we can reduce our oil consumption in the wake of the Gulf Coast Oil Spill. Not only have we offered a prayer for the oil spill but have also launched Oil Spill Prayer, an initiative to unite Christians in prayer for the effects of the oil spill. We believe that it is of the utmost importance to have the Creator and Redeemer working in this situation.
However, it is important that we change as well. So we have been looking at practical ways we can change our consumption as well. The most obvious place for us to do this is by our transportation methods. So, we have begun a mini-series to look at means of alternative transportation. In part 1, we took a look at walking- a healthy, impact-free method of transportation. Now we turn to part 2, biking.
Biking is another great alternative to traveling by vehicle. In addition to being healthy, it is an option that allows you to cover good distances quickly. It has often been hailed as the most efficient means of transportation. Biking is a great way to travel to work, school, the store, and so much more. I personally began biking regularly a couple years ago and have found it to be a great way to travel. It is relatively inexpensive to begin and then comes at virtually no cost per mile after that. While the savings aren’t incredible when looked at from an individual level, the become massive when multiplied across the nation and the world. Each mile you bike means a little bit less oil drilled, and each spin of the wheel demonstrates your care for God’s creation.
It is timely that we had this post planned. You see, May is Bike to Work Month, last week was bike to work week, and last Friday was Bike to work day. Last week Jon wrote about LA bike week and being intentional about riding your bike. Also, Flourish posted last week about Bike to Church Day (a post which offered some great information for those looking to bike to church or elsewhere). Perhaps it is time that you give biking a try as an additional means of transportation.
Resources
As I mentioned, I just began to get into biking a couple of years ago. While an adjustment, it is a much easier transition than you think. Like so many other things it really comes down to intentionality and commitment. That said, I understand that the idea of beginning to commute by bike can be a bit overwhelming. I know that I was a little unsure when I began. So, in addition to the links found above, the resources below should help you as you seek to work in biking into your commuting.
- Commute by Bike – Find tips, review, gear, and more
- League of American Bicyclists – Find tips; a search tool to find classes, events, shops, and more; and a variety of other resources
- Google Maps – Find bike-specific directions to help you get to your destination by bike
*Bike lane image from http://www.flickr.com/photos/bike/897803699/
Also consider:
Tip #11 Alternative Transportation (Part 1)
May 17th
Green Living: a series in which we provide tips to help you implement practices, habits, and products into your life which respect and work towards the redemption of God’s creation.
In the wake of the Gulf Coast Oil we want to spend some time providing you with tips to reduce your consumption of oil. Why? Because there is a sense in which we are all complicit in the oil spill (more on this later). In order to help prevent future disasters we must begin to reduce our own consumption. Lower demand = lesser drilling = fewer spills. At least that’s the theory. So, we begin in the most obvious of places: transportation.
The first alternative to traditional gas-guzzling transportation is walking. I know, I know. It’s totally obvious. And yet, it seems that it is very much ignored in many communities. Yes, people walk their dogs. Yes, they walk to the park. Yes, some kids walk to school. But not many walk for transportation to work, church, or errands.
Of course, not all of us live in a place like New York City which seems to be built for foot traffic. That said many do live in cities where some things are accessible by foot. When was the last time you walked to the grocery store? The pharmacy? Church? Many of these places are located within a mile or two of us. It is doable.
The great thing about walking for transportation is not only that it comes at zero-cost to God’s creation, but that it helps you live a healthy lifestyle as well. Now, when you think of this in terms of overall miles saved, perhaps its not too much – 50-100 a year if you replace one driving trip a week with walking. It is not a lot of money saved either. But just think of the effect when multiplied across your city. Or the nation. Now the numbers are enormous. Oil production is adjusted somewhat. God’s creation is better cared for.
So, what is holding you back? Why not try to replace some car trips with walking this week?
Keep in mind that this is part of broader strategy to cut consumption. Stay tuned for the next part in our alternative transportation strategy next week.
*Image of oil spill – http://www.flickr.com/photos/gsfc/ / CC BY 2.0
*Image of pedestrian – http://www.flickr.com/photos/myahyaorg/ / CC BY-SA 2.0
Also consider:
Tip #10 Repairing
May 10th
Green Living: a series in which we provide tips to help you implement practices, habits, and products into your life which respect and work towards the redemption of God’s creation.
I don’t know about you, but I try to be really careful with my possessions, especially technology. Sometimes it seems, though, that no matter how hard you try we have a knack of damaging or breaking our things.
You know what I’m talking about. You buy that protective cover for your cell phone or MP3 player and are always careful with it. But then one day, one lapse in judgment on the one time the cover is off, you stand up to get out of the car and it falls to the ground.
Or you drop your laptop?
Or you kick over a lamp?
Or you drop something in the toilet?
Or some beverage spills all over a piece of furniture?
Admit it. We’ve all been there.
Now, we live in a society that tends to throw these broken or damaged items away without a second thought. At the first sign of trouble we open the trash. The problem with this is not only that many of these items come at a high monetary cost but that they come at a high environmental cost as well. Each of these items takes valuable resources which must be collected, manufactured, packaged, shipped, and (later) disposed of.
But there are alternatives. First, there are repairmen. Coming in different varieties, they are experienced in fixing everything from your washing machine, to your TV, to your couch, to your home. But, unfortunately they are a dying breed. Even the manufacturers often choose to replace your broken item with a new one as it is more cost effective for them to do that than fix it. That said, it is still possible to get things repaired.
Second, you can fix things yourself. That’s right. No, you don’t have to be an engineer or a rocket scientist to do this. Oftentimes you just have to be able to follow instructions and be bold enough to give it a shot.
How do you do this? Well, there are numerous websites (list below) out there to help you find what you need. Visit one of these sites or just google “how to fix [your problem]” for other resources that might come up. Then, follow their step-by-step instructions guiding your to a newly working product.
The following is a list of a few of the many sites out there that can help you with repairing your broken items:
Just recently my wife accidently dropped her cell phone. Afterwards it would randomly decide to turn itself off on a whim. Turns out the battery was no longer fit as tightly and would briefly lose the connection, shutting off the phone. A little ingenuity has allowed the phone to work like new. What did I do? Just folded up part of a piece of scrap paper and squeezed it in tight to hold the battery in place. Simple as that. Whereas we might have gone in to get her a new phone or something, a quick and free solution allows us to better care for God’s creation.
Next time one of you possessions breaks, I encourage you to think twice before disposing of it. Perhaps it too can be saved.
*Image from
Also consider:
