Tips for Adopting Green Organizing and Celebrating Earth Day
by Environmentally Conscious Organizers Collaborative
Source:
www.environmentallyconsciousorganizers.com
(at www.napo-newengland.com)
Earth Day has been celebrated since the 1970’s as an environment based awareness building movement. The Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson, then a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, was later awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom (1995) -- the highest honor given to civilians in the United States -- for his role as Earth Day founder.
The first Earth Day led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts.
http://www.earthday.org/earth-day-history-movement
Organizing has a very natural connection to an ethic of conscious consuming.
Some organizers believe that it is our responsibility to help our clients live more environmentally conscious lives.
One natural result of getting organized is the need to consume less because we know where to find those items already in our space. Thus, we can break the chain of purchasing more of what we already have. This is the very beginning of making conscious consuming choices in our lives.
Organizing is an exercise of reduction; increased efficiency and having the “right” things in your life to support you where you want to go. Below are a number of organizing “tiplets” anyone can implement that when combined with other people’s efforts can positively impact our world and our environment.
Reduce – Reuse – Recycle
Aim to reduce first, reuse second, and recycle third. Too often, people think recycling is the first step. Whenever you are “consuming” consider what you can limit; what you can reuse instead of purchasing and if you do consume, consider the last step of a products life in how it will be recycled. ALWAYS review “use” in the order of REDUCING first then Reuse and the Recycle. The more that can be accomplished in the reduce phase, the less there is to deal with in the other phases.
Create a landing pad in the house.
By placing items where you won’t forget them, you have the opportunity to use your transportation more effectively – you won't be doing multiple trips out because you forgot the donations or items that needed to be returned. Also, it will be easier to combine your errands.
Some possible landing pad collection bins and supplies to facilitate recycling and donation could include...
• Donation
• Freecycle – items posted to give away for good use by someone else
• Paper, Glass, Metal, Styrofoam Recycling
• Hazardous Waste – needs to be handled and disposed of correctly
• Unused Medication-- www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback
• Reusable Bags
Conserve Energy
This is as simple as making sure heat registers are not blocked and doors are able to be closed. This is only possible if there is not extraneous stuff in the way. Other simple steps can include:
• Wear heavier clothing in the winter instead of bumping up the thermostat
• Use window inserts/draperies/blinds to reduce energy loss through windows (honeycomb shades, etc.)
• Use a programmable thermostat and keeping the thermostat temperature set low
• Use a small space heater in the room that you are working in (office for example) when no one else is home
• Set your water heater at 120 F and wrap your water heater and hot water pipes with insulation (especially those in the basement)
• Schedule an energy audit through your local energy provider to determine how to reduce energy use.
• Plug electronic equipment into surge protectors so they can all be completely shut off at the end of the day – computers use energy even when they are powered off
• Turn off lights that are not being used – put lights on motion sensors that will shut off when no one triggers them
Reduce Paper Usage
Think digital not physical/paper as much as possible. Do you really need to print that email out? Can you deal with that bill electronically?
Reduce Paper Coming into the House
• One great resource to help in the reduction of paper coming into the house is Catalog Choice. For free you can enter your preferences in online. For a nominal fee you can order mailers to send them the catalogue jackets that you would like to be removed from and they will log that information for you – it could not be easier.
• When you make a purchase online or over the phone, be sure to opt out of getting on the catalog mailing list AND be sure to request “no printed catalog” in shipment.
Reuse Paper
If you have paper that you have only used one side – consider using a binder clip to make a pad of scrap paper.
Recycle Paper
Recycle all paper, even shredded paper. Instead of putting the shredded paper in a plastic bag and throwing it in the trash, use a brown paper lawn and garden bag to gather the material. This way you don't have to switch containers and the paper bits don't blow all over the neighborhood when you put it out for recycling.
Travel
When booking for business travel, use the Green Hotel Initiative’s Best Practices Survey to determine which hotels to use and aim to use the best form of transportation.
Health & Wellness for Family, Kids and Pets
Some of the best cleaning materials are the most basic, least expensive, least toxic and have been around FOREVER. Google baking soda, Vinegar, Salt and prepare to be amazed at the possible uses of these simple cleaning ingredients. If you prefer to purchase your cleaning materials ready-made there are many green cleaners available commercially – Mrs. Meyers, Ecover, Seventh Generation, Bio Kleen are just a few to consider.
The Environmentally Conscious Organizers Collaborative has more info, tips and resources available at their website: www.EnvironmentallyConsciousOrganizers.com.
Michele Matties CPO®
No Worries® Organizing Services
www.noworriesorganizing.com
Lynne Johnson CPO-CD®
Lynne Johnson, Organizer
www.lynnejohnson.com
Sandy Rhee
Organization Guru
http://organizationguru.net
Jodie Siegel
Clear Your Space
www.clear-your-space.com
Elesheva Soloff
Soloff Space Solutions
www.soloffspacesolutions.com
Doris Hasbun
Doris Hasbun, Organizer
www.dorishasbun.com
Maureen Nuccitelli
Harmonious Life Designs
www.harmoniouslifedesigns.com
Lauren Zalkind
Lauren Zalkind, Organizer
www.laurenzalkind.com
The first Earth Day led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts.
http://www.earthday.org/earth-day-history-movement
Organizing has a very natural connection to an ethic of conscious consuming.
Some organizers believe that it is our responsibility to help our clients live more environmentally conscious lives.
One natural result of getting organized is the need to consume less because we know where to find those items already in our space. Thus, we can break the chain of purchasing more of what we already have. This is the very beginning of making conscious consuming choices in our lives.
Organizing is an exercise of reduction; increased efficiency and having the “right” things in your life to support you where you want to go. Below are a number of organizing “tiplets” anyone can implement that when combined with other people’s efforts can positively impact our world and our environment.
Reduce – Reuse – Recycle
Aim to reduce first, reuse second, and recycle third. Too often, people think recycling is the first step. Whenever you are “consuming” consider what you can limit; what you can reuse instead of purchasing and if you do consume, consider the last step of a products life in how it will be recycled. ALWAYS review “use” in the order of REDUCING first then Reuse and the Recycle. The more that can be accomplished in the reduce phase, the less there is to deal with in the other phases.
Create a landing pad in the house.
By placing items where you won’t forget them, you have the opportunity to use your transportation more effectively – you won't be doing multiple trips out because you forgot the donations or items that needed to be returned. Also, it will be easier to combine your errands.
Some possible landing pad collection bins and supplies to facilitate recycling and donation could include...
• Donation
• Freecycle – items posted to give away for good use by someone else
• Paper, Glass, Metal, Styrofoam Recycling
• Hazardous Waste – needs to be handled and disposed of correctly
• Unused Medication-- www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback
• Reusable Bags
Conserve Energy
This is as simple as making sure heat registers are not blocked and doors are able to be closed. This is only possible if there is not extraneous stuff in the way. Other simple steps can include:
• Wear heavier clothing in the winter instead of bumping up the thermostat
• Use window inserts/draperies/blinds to reduce energy loss through windows (honeycomb shades, etc.)
• Use a programmable thermostat and keeping the thermostat temperature set low
• Use a small space heater in the room that you are working in (office for example) when no one else is home
• Set your water heater at 120 F and wrap your water heater and hot water pipes with insulation (especially those in the basement)
• Schedule an energy audit through your local energy provider to determine how to reduce energy use.
• Plug electronic equipment into surge protectors so they can all be completely shut off at the end of the day – computers use energy even when they are powered off
• Turn off lights that are not being used – put lights on motion sensors that will shut off when no one triggers them
Reduce Paper Usage
Think digital not physical/paper as much as possible. Do you really need to print that email out? Can you deal with that bill electronically?
Reduce Paper Coming into the House
• One great resource to help in the reduction of paper coming into the house is Catalog Choice. For free you can enter your preferences in online. For a nominal fee you can order mailers to send them the catalogue jackets that you would like to be removed from and they will log that information for you – it could not be easier.
• When you make a purchase online or over the phone, be sure to opt out of getting on the catalog mailing list AND be sure to request “no printed catalog” in shipment.
Reuse Paper
If you have paper that you have only used one side – consider using a binder clip to make a pad of scrap paper.
Recycle Paper
Recycle all paper, even shredded paper. Instead of putting the shredded paper in a plastic bag and throwing it in the trash, use a brown paper lawn and garden bag to gather the material. This way you don't have to switch containers and the paper bits don't blow all over the neighborhood when you put it out for recycling.
Travel
When booking for business travel, use the Green Hotel Initiative’s Best Practices Survey to determine which hotels to use and aim to use the best form of transportation.
Health & Wellness for Family, Kids and Pets
Some of the best cleaning materials are the most basic, least expensive, least toxic and have been around FOREVER. Google baking soda, Vinegar, Salt and prepare to be amazed at the possible uses of these simple cleaning ingredients. If you prefer to purchase your cleaning materials ready-made there are many green cleaners available commercially – Mrs. Meyers, Ecover, Seventh Generation, Bio Kleen are just a few to consider.
The Environmentally Conscious Organizers Collaborative has more info, tips and resources available at their website: www.EnvironmentallyConsciousOrganizers.com.
Michele Matties CPO®
No Worries® Organizing Services
www.noworriesorganizing.com
Lynne Johnson CPO-CD®
Lynne Johnson, Organizer
www.lynnejohnson.com
Sandy Rhee
Organization Guru
http://organizationguru.net
Jodie Siegel
Clear Your Space
www.clear-your-space.com
Elesheva Soloff
Soloff Space Solutions
www.soloffspacesolutions.com
Doris Hasbun
Doris Hasbun, Organizer
www.dorishasbun.com
Maureen Nuccitelli
Harmonious Life Designs
www.harmoniouslifedesigns.com
Lauren Zalkind
Lauren Zalkind, Organizer
www.laurenzalkind.com
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