QotD: Happy Earth Day

"What do you do EVERY day to take care of the earth's environment? What could you do more of?"

1) No paper napkins, Last year I found some cloth napkins on clearance at Target and dug through our wedding box of dining room linens. We have about 50 cloth napkins now, plenty. I just throw them in the laundry with all the kitchen towels, so it doesn't amount to the work you might think.

2) I use plastic sandwich bags as a last resort but pack lunches in washable containers.

3) We filter our water through a Brita pitcher and often drink from fountains at the park. I occasionally buy water bottles to stash in the van. (I hide them so the kids aren't too quick to reach for them.) This summer we'll draw from the bottles I keep in the freezer, when we're out and about. It's going to get hot!

4) We live in a very walkable city, school, preschool, post office, groceries, coffee shop, farmer's market, swimming pool, 3 parks, a lovely bakery.... all within <25 minute walk one way.

5) In summertime, I run the dish washer and washer & dryer in the evening. Using in peak hours drains the source and causes more blackouts.

6) I bring my own canvas and paper bags into stores, (not quite an every day issue). Most grocery stores round here reward you in some way.

7) Keep a mending basket of clothes and toys instead of throwing them out so quickly. Always something to mend in this house!

8) Family of 5 owning one vehicle, a rare thing in this part of the world. I drive my husband to and from the train station 5 days a week, so he's not driving in traffic up to 3 hours a day. Also, much more affordable this way.

Would like to do more:

1) Bought clothesline, need to install

2) When we buy a home, I'd like to install solar panels and such.

3) Walking every day can be difficult with 3 children, especially in the rainy season. As their legs get longer, I hope to walk more. They love it, and so does my waistline.

4) I also pray about taking care of God's earth, about global warming. Isn't God supposed to destroy the earth by fire?