Well the one small change is nearing a end and it's been a busy few months trying hard to make one small change a month. Some months have been easier than others and this month, being more careful with water has been the biggest challenge to date. With the weather turning cooler and with more rain I haven't had the need for most of the grey water I have been saving. I had initially thought that I would use the water that I was saving from the washing machine and a bucket in the shower etc for the garden. We have had enough rain over the last few weeks to water the garden so I've had to stop saving it in those ways. I have however been careful to only run the dishwasher when it was full and the same for the washing machine, something that I have been guilty of in the past. I have definitely found that it is very possible to save a lot of water just by putting a bucket in the shower when showering so I will be doing that next summer when I need water for the garden.I have had in mind all my previous changes as the months roll on, consume less, use less - recycle more paper and to grow more food. Consuming less is by far the hardest, especially when faced with a secondhand book sale! The bags I made to hang in certain rooms so recycling paper is easy have made a big impact and was one of the easiest changes to make. Now all my paper waste gets recycled in some way, packaging for parcels, cut up into notepaper or actually putting it out for recycling.
My growing more food change in march has also made a big impact, I had never bothered to grow much over the winter months before, some silver beet or swiss chard, lettuce and that's about it. We haven't harvested anything yet, but there is some cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and broad beans and peas to come! I am really looking forward to having a winter harvest. The hardest part of that change is controlling all the white butterflies that attack all these winter crops.
I'm looking forward to making some more changes that will help to less the impact my family has on the environment and working more on the changes that we have already made.
I wouldn't feel too guilty about buying secondhand books. You're recycling after all! Plus I couldn't handle that much guilt, considering how many I buy!
ReplyDeleteThe bucket idea is awesome. I meant to try it once and forgot all about it so thans for the reminder.
Congratulations on all your changes!
ReplyDeleteWe are keeping the blog active year round, so stop by for blog posts offering support for those who wish to continue the challenge, ideas, inspiration, and guest blog posts. If you would like to be a guest blogger, we would love to have you (email me at suzy@hipmountainmama.com)
Thanks and congrats on all your efforts!
~Suzy
Great changes. I was out last night with a friend who bought one of your recycled leather jacket bags. She loves it and it looks better everytime I see it (the leather is really building up a shine). There's another one of yoru recycling changes put into use in a fantastic way!
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