Make A Change: Earth Day

Picture it, Sicily 1937 ... OH WAIT, that's a Golden Girls episode. (Which happens to be one of my all time favorite TV shows..)

It was the day before Earth Day 2008 (Monday) and my Method All Purpose Cleaner was empty, rather the sprayer could no longer suck up what was left in the bottle. I check the bottom and see that the recycle logo has a #1 in it. "Yup", I think to myself, "it's recyclable". I begin washing it out. After the second attempt of rinsing the residue out I notice it still smells like the cleaning solution, I stop and think "WHAT AM I DOING!!!". I realize if it still smells maybe it still has some cleaning power too...and who am I kidding, I use it to wipe down my counter tops and table - who needs more than water for that on a daily basis. I stop rinsing it out and fill it with water instead, accomplishing 3 things: 1 reusing the bottle thus keeping it from a landfill, 2 replacing it with and even earth friendlier cleaning product - water, 3 saving money by not buying another bottle of the cleaner right away. Then I make a decision, I've seen on many a website the powers of baking soda and vinegars as cleaning solutions, that's it - I'm making my own cheap cleaner for now on and reusing this bottle for it.

I share this with you because it's Earth Day and there are lots of things we can all do, lots of changes we can all make. A wise woman once told me (and I can't find it so I can't link to it) it's step by step that we make changes. This Earth Day make a resolution to change one thing for the betterment of the environment. Maybe it's something simple like using cold water to wash your clothes instead of hot, or possibly changing to recycled paper products. Maybe you will grow a garden or hang up a clothes line to dry your clothes. Or maybe you will start making your own cleaning products or replacing them with eco-friendly ones. Perhaps you will start bringing your own bags to the supermarket or start shopping at the farmers market. Whatever it is, just do it. Make one change and stick to it. You, we, the animals, the earth...everything will be better for it.

Disclaimer: I hope that no one takes this wrongly - I'm not perfect and I'm still so far from running an eco-friendly house and family. I hope that my inspiration for this day will also inspire you - that's all. One change at a time.