Goin’ Green

Green is in but is it just a fad that will fade once the economy recovers?  What is the hype anyway?  For some, being “green” has been a way of life long before high gas and grocery prices.  I would venture to say those folks would say “green” is not a fad but a lifestyle, a lifestyle that needs consideration. 

I see “green” as a means of being responsible with resources.  I remember growing up being told “waste not, want not”.   Well now that is especially true for me.  I understand more now than I did before.  So how am I goin’ green? 

Let’s begin with recycling.  Before I began to recycle I threw away an average of two bags of trash each week.  Now sometimes it takes me two weeks just to get one bag of trash.  Everything else is recycled.  Not everything goes in the BFI bin.  Some things I have to take to Western Recycling.  It means something for me though knowing that this is being used differently than just sitting in the land fill.  I started recycling after attending a workshop about what can be recycled.

High gas prices, I must admit has caused me to look at and be more open to other modes of transportation.  I ride my bike anytime it makes sense to.  When I need to arrive somewhere not sweaty, I ride the bus.  I only take my car when I have too.  I now spend about a quarter to a third of what I used to in gas.  I know, and I hear all the complaints that you have.  I had them too, and I decided this was a good time to be open minded.   The last time I rode the bus was in 1996.  Wow has the bus system changed.  I remember it took an hour just to go anywhere.  Not so anymore.  It was so easy and inexpensive.  The bus charges $1 for a one time ride or $2 for the day.  The first time I took the bus I rode 3 buses.  It took me about the same amount of time as it would have if I drove.  Ok, really within five minutes time.  I had to go downtown that day, so I did not have to worry about the parking.  Which is $2.50 a hour now after the first hour.  It was easy to look up the bus schedule and then just a matter of figuring out my timing.

So not only is my new small changes making an impact on my environment, community and pocketbook, it is also helping me become more fit.

There are still so many things I can do to be “green”, and I am implementing those.  It is overwhelming to make so many lifestyle changes all at once.  Making a change at a time is working and doable.  Goin’ green is becoming a lifestyle for me.