By Dan Estabrook – September 29, 2008
Dan’s note: I am currently out of the office today on a personal day, so in order to keep you informed and entertained, I am “rerunning” a popular column I wrote several months ago. Enjoy! This article originally appeared on July 16, 2008.
While editing a new (and hopefully growing) blog on all things green and good, I also welcome the opportunity to share my own wisdom from time to time. I had a conversation with my mom over the weekend where she told me she is interested in becoming “more green.” After I found something to grab to avoid completely falling on the floor, I pulled myself together and told her I’d get back to her. You see, my mom is what one would call a “late adopter” in the green movement. I am pleased that even Gladys wants to make a difference in the world.
So, for all of you who may be new to going green (or, if you know someone else who is), here’s my “get started” guide to greening your “late adopter’s” life:
1. RECYCLE
I know this one is obvious, but to someone just joining the green bandwagon, recycling is an activity where everyone needs to start. I told Mom that if she separated her glass, paper, plastic and cans, she would divert 75% of the stuff she usually sends to the landfill to other uses. I also reminded her that she would carry lighter loads to the dumpster, which is an important benefit to her given her senior status. She mumbled something about “not being old” but did agree otherwise.
2. MICROWAVE
Mom was surprised when she learned that traditional ovens use up to 4.8 times more energy than do microwaves. I know that she already appreciates the shorter cooking times, but she was flabbergasted that if everyone in North America used a microwave for one year, we’d save as much energy as the entire continent of Africa uses in one year. Compelling, for sure! But, don’t start eating too many of those microwavable dinners — they are expensive and the plastic trays and paper packaging offset the benefits of using your regular ‘ole oven less.
3. TRASH BAGS
I reminded Mom of the scores of paper and plastic grocery sacks she hordes away in the broom closet next to the fridge (I have often been scared to open when visiting). I told her that if she started using this stockpile instead of her usual plastic garbage bags, she would accomplish two tasks: organizing her life AND saving the envionment. I told her that one ton of plastic trash bags is the equivalent of 11 barrels of oil — I think she quickly did the math (given $150/barrel for oil). She was also glad to hear that if she were better at #1 above that she could use smaller (and fewer) trash bags.
4. JUNK MAIL
Each U.S. household receives the equivalent of 100 lbs. of junk mail per year (or the equivalent of three trees). Since my mom is addicted to Publisher’s Clearinghouse Sweepstakes and other junk mail, I am killing two birds with one stone on this one. I convinced her to have me sign her up for GreenDimes (our junk mail reduction service) — now she will be more green and will not get predatory sweepstakes mailings and other admail that solicit many of our seniors of their hard-earned savings. Now, she’ll be able to see all the letters that I don’t write to her.
5. SHADES/DRAPES
Our households could reduce energy use by 25% if we just closed our drapes and shades in extremely cold or hot weather. This one is turning into a gift idea for mom, by the way. I am planning to install quilted shades for her before this fall. Those of you in colder climates probably know these devices — the help insulate windows and slide up and down on an airtight track. When you live in places like Minnesota or Maine (my home state), these make a huge difference for staying warm and reducing energy costs. Since Mom heats with oil, this is an easy step. She did ask me, though, how she would “keep her eye on those new neighbors?” No comment from me.
I reminded Mom of all the good things she’s already doing to save the environment:
- Using her clothesline instead of the dryer
- Reusing her garden basket (that I bought for her when I was 10!) to pick her strawberries and raspberries
- Taking her old clothes to Goodwill
Remember, when we convince our parents and seniors to become more green, we must take them through the journey in small but meaningful steps. I am also sending Mom a copy of The Green Book, which is a great intro for anyone to be green and good. It also provided much of the data I used in this post – check it out!
I did ask my mom, however, to continue to use her traditional oven to bake her infamous raspberry pie when I visit – and, yes, please use that old garden basket to pick the berries!