25 Small Ways to Go Green in a Big Way

I am speaking on Tuesday at Ignite Charlotte 3 on Bringing Up Green Baby. The Ignite series has a slogan: "Enlighten us, but make it quick!" The evening consists of 5-minute talks from 15 speakers on various topics that they are passionate about. As promised in my talk, I am listing 25 small things that you can do to go green. There is no way that I could fit such details in the talk, since it is so short and structured (20 auto-advancing slides, 15 seconds to "talk to" each slide). So, here it is:

1. Use rags and burp cloths to clean up any baby messes around the house, then toss them in the wash with your cloth diapers. This cuts down drastically on the paper towel use around the house. (A 12-pack of paper towels lasts us well over 8 months. I really only use them to drain my bacon! Mmm...bacon!)

2. When you buy a toy (or inherit it from a friend), don't put batteries in it right away. The novelty alone will keep baby or child engaged for a while. Once this has worn off, then put them in, and make sure it is turned off after each use. (JJ's been using an exersaucer for about a month and we rarely turn it on for him. But he is still really engaged when it's off!)

3. Transfer cleaning and body products to reusable pumps. This way, they are "pre-measured" (per pump), and you end up using less than just squeezing out from the bottle.

4. Mark clearly with a permanent marker the "load lines" on your detergent caps. I guarantee you are using too much detergent per load.

5. If you will be using bottles to feed your baby, buy the larger size only (8 oz). Once baby is ready to move up to larger meals, you won't need to buy a second set of bottles.

6. Resist the urge to nest! Don't unwrap items until you need them because...you may not (and keep the receipt!)!

7. Forego the wipes warmer. You don't need it, and neither does baby!

8. Choose a laundry detergent with no phosphates or chlorine, and only natural scents (if your baby has allergies, you may have to forego the smell goods too). We use Ecos detergents, but there are several good ones out there.

9. Consider making your own body products from kitchen items, following these recipes. Have older children help you!

1o. Use cloth diapers already! How many times do I have to tell you how awesome they are! We use Kawaii snap diapers.

11. Babies and young children don't need bath toys. Give them used bottles and tupperware to fill and empty while they bathe.

12. Make your own baby food using recipes found here.

13. Breastfeed if possible. Greenest option and best for baby!

14. Buy gender-neutral clothing and bedding. This increases their ability to be handed down to future siblings or friends' babies.

15. Share your love of the planet with your kids! Talk about the importance of conserving resources and making better choices!

16. Use vinegar and baking soda to clean your house. They do a surprisingly great job, especially in the bathroom! (And they're cheap!) Add some essential oil to your white vinegar to make the odor more pleasing.

17. Compost yard and kitchen scraps.

18. Purchase rechargeable batteries. The upfront cost of heftier, but in the long run, you save a ton of money!

19. Have an "electricity-free" night once or twice a month. For 24-hours, turn off all running items (including A/C or heat, computers, TVs, lights, but not your fridge or security system). This not only saves $$, but also challenges you and your child to get creative! Read or draw by candlelight, camp in the backyard, make music with household items, have fun!

20. Pre-fold diapers happen to fit a Swiffer mop perfectly! When you're done using them for baby's bottom, use them to care for your hardwoods!

21. Start an indoor herb garden that your child can care for by him/herself. Or, have them help you maintain your outdoor garden, if space allows (container gardening is great for porches/balconies in homes with no yard)

22. Keep a "craft box" of items for art projects for rainy days. Cereal boxes, empty coffee cans/tubs, paper bags, magazines, scraps of ribbon, old greeting cards. You can use pantry staples like pasta, rice, dried beans, or cereal to supplement projects. (Just be sure not to turn into a hoarder. Recycle the items if you find you don't use them.)

23. Visit or join a community garden in your area. Some look for volunteers just to help them harvest items!

24. Use pictures from old books or magazines as art in your child's room, rather than buying new pieces. If they're old enough, have them collaborate to create a winning look!

25. Use Neem oil to keep bugs away from your children, pets, and garden. It's an all-natural way to keep pests at bay.

26. Turn your fingernail trimmings into bristles of a hairbrush for baby. (Just kidding on this one...seeing if you made it to the end. Did you?)

Look for more lists like this one every so often, because there are so many ways that little choices can make a big impact! Feel free to leave a comment with other ideas!