Tired of reduce, reuse, recycle? We feel your pain. But caring for the Earth is a top priority. Our kids and grandkids deserve their own chances to make questionable fashion moves, misguided career calls, and poor relationship choices.
So let’s all buckle down and make some changes, real changes that make a difference. And no, we’re not talking something drastic like moving off-grid or giving up your morning coffee. Just a few conscious choices we make every day can add up when we work together.
Here are 10 ideas to help you be a greener family:
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1. Get Off Junk Mail Lists
Save the Earth and your cluttered counter by signing up to get off junk mail lists. This one is a win-win and takes all of 2 minutes.
2. Borrow or Rent Instead of Buying
Finally getting around to that home improvement project? Instead of running out and buying a tile saw you’ll never use again, borrow from a friend or neighbor or rent one for the weekend. Keep your garage and the Earth a little cleaner.
- Power 12 Events: Party rental, games, movie screen and more
- Sign Dreamers 805: Sign Rental
- Lister Rents: Party rentals, tool rentals, construction and concrete equipment
- Tool Rental: The Home Depot
- Automotive Loaner Tool programs: AutoZone | O'Reilly Auto Parts
3. Choose a Renewable Energy Source
Consider going solar, but if that is not in your budget ask your energy company if they offer residents the option to choose to purchase energy from solar or wind or other green power sources - rates vary. One small phone call could make a huge difference in your home’s carbon footprint.
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4. Buy Secondhand
For most parents dealing with overnight growth spurts, this one’s probably already on your radar. Save ridiculous amounts of money and make a difference? We’re in. Don't stop with clothing, you should consider, secondhand furniture, books, DVDs and Music CDs. Macaroni tip: Head to local thrift stores, 2nd hand stores, consignment shops, garage sales and even online resellers plus resources like local community groups, buy nothing, Facebook Market Place and Nextdoor. Don't forget these are also great options for your to re-purpose your no longer needed items.
Local resellers:
- Books, Movies and Music: Visit your local library 'Friends of the Library' bookshop
- Play it Again Sports: Used sports and fitness gear in Newbury Park
- Assistance League Conejo Valley Thrift Shop: Thousand Oaks
- Senior Concerns Bargain Boutique: Thousand Oaks
- Mad Attic Thrift Store: Thousand Oaks
- Merry Hall Tree Thrift Store: Newbury Park
- Arc Foundation of Ventura County Thrift Stores: Ventura and Oxnard
- Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County ReStore: Simi Valley and Oxnard
- Salvation Army Thrift Stores
- Goodwill: Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties | SoCal | : Varity of items from clothing to furniture and household items with locations all over SoCal.
- Love at Second Sight: Women's trendy resale boutique in Westlake Village
- The Closet Trading Co: Women's designer consignment shops in Agoura Hills, Westlake Village, Woodland Hills, Santa Barbara and Santa Monica
- National Council of Jewish Women: Store locations in Canoga Park, Burbank and other Los Angeles locations
- American Cancer Society discovery shops
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5. Kick the Bottled Water Habit
We love bottled water because it’s convenient and easy, but it’s also a top climate killer. Break out all those reusable containers gathering dust and start using them. Just gotta do it.
6. Just Say No to Single-use Packaging
We get it, this one is tough for parents. Fruit snacks, crackers, juice boxes? They’re the staples of this phase of life. But try tossing that huge carton of crackers in the cart along with a few reusable snack bags / containers and you’re doing your part. Not so hard now, is it? The bonus is this is also a budget-friendly option too.
7. Change Your Diet
Ok, ok, this is kind of big, but hear us out. Go organic and reduce exposure to pesticides and chemicals used to grow produce and grains for consumer consumption and dairy and meat production for your family, the planet and the farm workers and food handlers. Consider cutting down on meat and dairy, it can be better for your health and the planet’s. Veggie burgers can be pretty tasty too. There are many changes you can make, start slow with a few meals a week, or cut down on the biggest climate offenders. Pick ones that work best for your family.
Dig In: 3 Themed Vegetable Gardens Kids Will Love to Grow ... and Eat
8. Dial it Down - or up
We like to be comfortable as much as the next guy, but raising your thermostat a degree or two in the summer and lowering it in the winter makes a real difference. You’ll save money and be greener, and are you really gonna notice if it’s 75 or 76?
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9. Shop Local
Buying local usually means less packaging, less transportation energy used, and it’s just good for our community to support local businesses. Don't forget to visit one of our many farmers markets or sign up for a Farm Box - is so easy.
10 Things to Consider When Choosing a CSA or Farm Box for Your Family
10. Reduce Food Waste
One week the kids eat all the bananas in two days, the next week the whole bunch is turning black on the counter. Been there. But maybe try buying a little less and planning a little more. Instead of opening up the jar of applesauce for an after school snack, slice up the apple that’s shelf life is dwindling. If you can't use that produce before it expires consider freezing it for later. Overripe fruit? How about a smoothie or muffins. And when you do have waste, because you will, try composting it or at the very lease add it to your 'green' bin.
Small changes can make a big difference!
- Celebrate Earth Day
- Earth Day: 7 Ways Your Family Can Change the World
- 5 Upcycled Art Projects for Eco-Friendly Fun for Your Family to Make
Susannah Ferguson is the publisher of Macaroni KID Columbia, Mo.
Brenna Gutell is the publisher of Macaroni KID Conejo Valley - Malibu - Calabasas
