Monday, December 17, 2007
end of semester | end of project
this is a project i did for a class; to keep track of resources i used every day. over time, i began to notice certain patterns and behaviors. if i take a long shower one day, i tend to take a shorter shower the next. i have also started to look for "what has the least effect on the environment" whenever i need to get something disposable. if i need to grab food and run, it's better to grab a wax coated paper cup than a plastic bottle, for example. i have also noticed my roommates starting to recycle more, too. it is interesting to see how behaviors change when you realize just how much you consume.
december 15, 2007
today
shower | 10 minutes
drive | 1 hour 7 minutes
gas | fill tank, 9 gallons
charge phone | 3 hours
used natural light, reusable plastic mug & waterbottle
shower | 10 minutes
drive | 1 hour 7 minutes
gas | fill tank, 9 gallons
charge phone | 3 hours
used natural light, reusable plastic mug & waterbottle
december 14, 2007
today
shower | 17 minutes
dishes | 8 minutes
fishbowl | approx. 1.5 gallons water
charge phone | 1 hour
bottles | 26
paper | 8.25 inches
used natural sunlight
december 7, 2007
today
shower | 12 minutes
dishes | 5 minutes
fishbowl | approx 1.5 gallons water
bottles | 25
paper | 8.25 inches
december 6, 2007
today
shower | 9 minutes
drive | 41 minutes
charge phone | 2 hours 15 minutes
carpooled to art store
shower | 9 minutes
drive | 41 minutes
charge phone | 2 hours 15 minutes
carpooled to art store
december 4, 2007
today
shower | 14 minutes
fishbowl clean | approx. 1.5 gallons water
tv | 3 hourse 42 minutes
charge camera battery | 2 hours
shower | 14 minutes
fishbowl clean | approx. 1.5 gallons water
tv | 3 hourse 42 minutes
charge camera battery | 2 hours
december 2, 2007
today
shower | 8 minutes
drive | 32 mintues
tv | 2 hours 20 minutes
reusable shopping bag
shower | 8 minutes
drive | 32 mintues
tv | 2 hours 20 minutes
reusable shopping bag
december 1, 2007
today
shower | 7 minutes
gas | fill, about 1/4 tank, 3 ish gallons
drive | 2 hours 43 minutes
dishes | 6 minutes
fishbowl | approx. 1 1/2 gallons water
tv | 2 hours
shower | 7 minutes
gas | fill, about 1/4 tank, 3 ish gallons
drive | 2 hours 43 minutes
dishes | 6 minutes
fishbowl | approx. 1 1/2 gallons water
tv | 2 hours
november 30, 2007
today
shower | 11 minutes
drive | 4 hours 15 minutes
gas | fill tank, about half way (5 gallon-ish)
charge phone | 2 hours 15 minutes
watch tv | 1 hour 15 minutes
november 29, 2007
today
shower | 9 min
charge phone | 1 hour 30 minutes
bottle count | 23
paper amount | 9 inches of recycled paper
shower | 9 min
charge phone | 1 hour 30 minutes
bottle count | 23
paper amount | 9 inches of recycled paper
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
november 26, 2007
todayshower | 17 min
charge phone | 1 hour 30 min
tv | 3 hour 20 min
reusable mug; natural light
plastic/glass bottle count | 17 bottles, 2 cans
paper | 7.75 inches
november 25, 2007
today
shower | 26 min (water took forever to get even just warm)
drive | 38 min
tv | 3 hours, 15 min
reusable grocery bag; wasted too much paper at work (some got apple juice spilled on it)
shower | 26 min (water took forever to get even just warm)
drive | 38 min
tv | 3 hours, 15 min
reusable grocery bag; wasted too much paper at work (some got apple juice spilled on it)
november 24, 2007
today
shower | 15 min
drive | 2 hour 54 min
fishbowl clean/change | 1.5 gallon change; about .75 gallon travel container
laundry | 1 load wash & dry with high efficiency appliances
filled gas tank
shower | 15 min
drive | 2 hour 54 min
fishbowl clean/change | 1.5 gallon change; about .75 gallon travel container
laundry | 1 load wash & dry with high efficiency appliances
filled gas tank
november 23, 2007
today
shower | 16 min
drive | 34 min
charge phone | 2.5 hours
tv | 2 hours 45 min
laundry | 1 load wash & dry in high efficiency appliances
shower | 16 min
drive | 34 min
charge phone | 2.5 hours
tv | 2 hours 45 min
laundry | 1 load wash & dry in high efficiency appliances
november 22, 2007
today
shower | 14 min
tv | 3 hour 15 min
since it was thanksgiving, i didn't do too much. we did about three dishwasher loads but my parents had been saving bread for weeks to make stuffing, so by keeping leftover bread in a paper bag, we avoided buying prepackaged stuffing that takes more energy, materials, and packaging
shower | 14 min
tv | 3 hour 15 min
since it was thanksgiving, i didn't do too much. we did about three dishwasher loads but my parents had been saving bread for weeks to make stuffing, so by keeping leftover bread in a paper bag, we avoided buying prepackaged stuffing that takes more energy, materials, and packaging
november 21, 2007
today
shower | 18 min
drive | 52 min
tv | 30 min
laundry | 1 load wash & dry with high efficiency appliances
charge phone | 2 hours
reusable grocery bag; carpooled to restaurant with friend
shower | 18 min
drive | 52 min
tv | 30 min
laundry | 1 load wash & dry with high efficiency appliances
charge phone | 2 hours
reusable grocery bag; carpooled to restaurant with friend
home
being at home is a lot different than being on campus. although a lot of resources are shared on campus, at home…
-we recycle and have a recycling truck that picks up glass, plastic, paper, metal, and cardboard every other week
-we have a dishwasher; much more efficient that washing all those dishes by hand
-most of the lightbulbs are energy efficient
-our washer and dryer are energy and high efficiency; they use a more precise amount of water depending on load size and use less energy
on the downside, i drive more and am more often to drive places by myself without carpooling with others
-we recycle and have a recycling truck that picks up glass, plastic, paper, metal, and cardboard every other week
-we have a dishwasher; much more efficient that washing all those dishes by hand
-most of the lightbulbs are energy efficient
-our washer and dryer are energy and high efficiency; they use a more precise amount of water depending on load size and use less energy
on the downside, i drive more and am more often to drive places by myself without carpooling with others
november 20, 2007
today
shower | 10 min
fish bowl | approx. 1.5 gallons to clean/change; .75 gallons for transport container
dishes/kitchen clean up | 7 min
tv | 45 min
driving | 2 hours 17 min
bring most bottles home to recycle
shower | 10 min
fish bowl | approx. 1.5 gallons to clean/change; .75 gallons for transport container
dishes/kitchen clean up | 7 min
tv | 45 min
driving | 2 hours 17 min
bring most bottles home to recycle
november 19, 2007
today
shower | 11 min
charge phone | 2.5 hours
reusable mug; forgot reusable bags at konover
shower | 11 min
charge phone | 2.5 hours
reusable mug; forgot reusable bags at konover
november 16, 2007
today
shower | 17 min
fishbowl cleaning | approx. 1.5 gallons water
driving | 47 min
tv | 1 hour 15 min
carpool with friends
plastic/glass count | 19 bottles
paper amount | 7.5 inches
shower | 17 min
fishbowl cleaning | approx. 1.5 gallons water
driving | 47 min
tv | 1 hour 15 min
carpool with friends
plastic/glass count | 19 bottles
paper amount | 7.5 inches
november 11, 2007
today
shower | 12 min
hairdryer | 4 min
dishes | 5 min
tv | 2 hour 45 min
drive | 16 min
shower | 12 min
hairdryer | 4 min
dishes | 5 min
tv | 2 hour 45 min
drive | 16 min
november 9, 2007
today
shower | 14 min
tv | 3 hours
fishbowl | approx. 1.5 gallons water
drive | 42 min
carpooled
plastic/glass count | 14 bottles
paper amount | 7 inches paper product
shower | 14 min
tv | 3 hours
fishbowl | approx. 1.5 gallons water
drive | 42 min
carpooled
plastic/glass count | 14 bottles
paper amount | 7 inches paper product
november 8, 2007
today
shower | 16 min
dishes | 6 min
drive | 42 min
vacuum | 4 min
hairdryer | 3 min
tv | 1 hour 45 min
emptied trash first time since october 18th
shower | 16 min
dishes | 6 min
drive | 42 min
vacuum | 4 min
hairdryer | 3 min
tv | 1 hour 45 min
emptied trash first time since october 18th
daylight savings
daylight savings, as i'm sure you know, occurred this past sunday. it was definitely nice to get an extra hour of sleep, especially since i woke up early to drive home, but since it's been getting darker earlier, i've needed to use lights more and more (as opposed to natural sunlight from my window). i'm not getting up earlier, so i'm missing the extra light we get in the morning. just something i've noticed in the past few days.
november 7, 2007
today
shower | 11 min
charge phone | 2 hour 15 min
tv | 30 min
utilized natural sunlight
shower | 11 min
charge phone | 2 hour 15 min
tv | 30 min
utilized natural sunlight
november 5, 2007
today
shower | 9 min
charge phone | 1 hour 45 min
change half of fish water | slightly less than 1/2 gallon
tv | 1 hour
shower | 9 min
charge phone | 1 hour 45 min
change half of fish water | slightly less than 1/2 gallon
tv | 1 hour
november 3, 2007
today
shower | 17 min
laundry | 1 load wash & dry with energy efficient washer & dryer
tv | 3 hours
drive | 28 min
shower | 17 min
laundry | 1 load wash & dry with energy efficient washer & dryer
tv | 3 hours
drive | 28 min
november 2, 2007
today
shower | 16 min
drive | 1 hour 7 min
charge phone | 3 hour 15 min
tv | 1 hour 30 min
laundry | 1 load wash and dry with energy efficient washer & dryer
carpooled
shower | 16 min
drive | 1 hour 7 min
charge phone | 3 hour 15 min
tv | 1 hour 30 min
laundry | 1 load wash and dry with energy efficient washer & dryer
carpooled
november 1, 2007
today
shower | 9 min
clean fishbowl | 1.5 gallons water
drive | 2 hour 30 min
dishes | 4 min
fill gas tank; bring plastic and glass bottles home to recycle
shower | 9 min
clean fishbowl | 1.5 gallons water
drive | 2 hour 30 min
dishes | 4 min
fill gas tank; bring plastic and glass bottles home to recycle
october 31, 2007
today
shower | 8 min; 13 min
charge phone | 2.5 hours
tv | 45 min
hairdryer | 3 min
shared cab to & from bar; way back was a van so it held more people
shower | 8 min; 13 min
charge phone | 2.5 hours
tv | 45 min
hairdryer | 3 min
shared cab to & from bar; way back was a van so it held more people
october 30, 2007
today
shower | 7 min
tv | 2 hours
used natural light from window; forgot reusable bag at grocery store
shower | 7 min
tv | 2 hours
used natural light from window; forgot reusable bag at grocery store
Monday, October 29, 2007
october 28, 2007
today
shower | 7 minutes
driving | 18 minutes
dishes | 4.5 minutes
charged phone | 3 hours
conserved paper at work
shower | 7 minutes
driving | 18 minutes
dishes | 4.5 minutes
charged phone | 3 hours
conserved paper at work
october 27, 2007
today
shower | 10 minutes
driving | 21 minutes
tv | 3 hours
reusable mug; used too much paper at work
shower | 10 minutes
driving | 21 minutes
tv | 3 hours
reusable mug; used too much paper at work
october 26, 2007
today
shower | 18 minutes
drive | 50 minutes
clean fishbowl | 1.5 gallon water
carpooled to get halloween costumes
shower | 18 minutes
drive | 50 minutes
clean fishbowl | 1.5 gallon water
carpooled to get halloween costumes
october 25, 2007
today
shower | 6 minutes
tv | 2 hours
used more photo paper than necessary; got lunch in to-go container
shower | 6 minutes
tv | 2 hours
used more photo paper than necessary; got lunch in to-go container
october 24, 2007
today
shower | 13 minutes
table lamp | 55 minutes
charge phone | 2.5 hours
watch tv | 1 hour 32 minutes
used too much paper when printing, probably could've used less
shower | 13 minutes
table lamp | 55 minutes
charge phone | 2.5 hours
watch tv | 1 hour 32 minutes
used too much paper when printing, probably could've used less
october 23, 2007
today
shower | 9 minutes
used reusable mug; bought meals that came in to-go plastic containers
at the lab all day, used mostly "group" resources
shower | 9 minutes
used reusable mug; bought meals that came in to-go plastic containers
at the lab all day, used mostly "group" resources
october 21, 2007
today
shower | 7 minutes
driving | 40 minutes
forgot reusable bags for one store; remembered reusable bags for another store
shower | 7 minutes
driving | 40 minutes
forgot reusable bags for one store; remembered reusable bags for another store
october 20, 2007
fault | bought smoothie that came in plastic cup from rest stop
today
shower | 10 minutes
driving | 2 hours and 33 minutes
charge phone | 1 hour 5 minutes
used reusable mug; bought gas for my car; bought beverage in plastic cup
today
shower | 10 minutes
driving | 2 hours and 33 minutes
charge phone | 1 hour 5 minutes
used reusable mug; bought gas for my car; bought beverage in plastic cup
Sunday, October 28, 2007
october 19, 2007
today
shower | 17 minutes
driving | 1 hour
tv | 2 hours 15 minutes
laundry | 2 loads washer and dryer in high efficiency washer & dryer
got plastic bags from store
shower | 17 minutes
driving | 1 hour
tv | 2 hours 15 minutes
laundry | 2 loads washer and dryer in high efficiency washer & dryer
got plastic bags from store
october 18, 2007
today
shower | 14 minutes
driving | 5 hours & 20 minutes (lost and driving around for an hour)
bought gas, filled tank; brought plastic bottles home to be recycled
*first time emptying trash in a long time*
shower | 14 minutes
driving | 5 hours & 20 minutes (lost and driving around for an hour)
bought gas, filled tank; brought plastic bottles home to be recycled
*first time emptying trash in a long time*
october 17, 2007
today
shower | 11 minutes
tv | 1 hour 45 minutes
used water bottle and reusable mug; utilized natural sunlight
shower | 11 minutes
tv | 1 hour 45 minutes
used water bottle and reusable mug; utilized natural sunlight
october 15, 2007
today
shower | 13 minutes
hair dry | 4 minutes
carpool with friends; obtained plastic bag-forgot reusable
shower | 13 minutes
hair dry | 4 minutes
carpool with friends; obtained plastic bag-forgot reusable
october 13, 2007
today
shower | 7 minutes
dishes | 2 minutes
drive | 18 minutes
used daylight; remembered reusable bag
shower | 7 minutes
dishes | 2 minutes
drive | 18 minutes
used daylight; remembered reusable bag
october 12, 2007
today
shower | 13 minutes
drive | 41 minutes
dishes | 2 minutes
carpooled; used too many paper and plastic bags–forgot reusable
shower | 13 minutes
drive | 41 minutes
dishes | 2 minutes
carpooled; used too many paper and plastic bags–forgot reusable
october 11, 2007
today
shower | 17 minutes
driving | 12 minutes
hair dryer | 3 minutes
charge phone | 2 hours
shower | 17 minutes
driving | 12 minutes
hair dryer | 3 minutes
charge phone | 2 hours
october 10, 2007
today
shower | 12 minutes
hair dry | 2.5 minutes
clean fishbowl | approx. 2 gallons of water
used daylight for light
shower | 12 minutes
hair dry | 2.5 minutes
clean fishbowl | approx. 2 gallons of water
used daylight for light
october 9, 2007
today
shower | 7 minutes
hair dry | 3 minutes
dishes | 3 minutes
laundry | 2 loads wash & dry; 38 minutes for wash, 1 hour for dry
shower | 7 minutes
hair dry | 3 minutes
dishes | 3 minutes
laundry | 2 loads wash & dry; 38 minutes for wash, 1 hour for dry
october 8, 2007
today
shower | 12 minutes
hair dry | 2 minutes
reused jar for painting; brought water bottle to class
shower | 12 minutes
hair dry | 2 minutes
reused jar for painting; brought water bottle to class
october 6, 2007
today
shower | 19 minutes
driving |72 minutes
charge phone | 1 hour 15 minutes
used daylight from window to read
shower | 19 minutes
driving |72 minutes
charge phone | 1 hour 15 minutes
used daylight from window to read
october 5, 2007
today
shower | 8 minutes
clean fish bowl | approx. 2 gallons water
dishes | 7 minutes
carpooled with friends; shared a cab
shower | 8 minutes
clean fish bowl | approx. 2 gallons water
dishes | 7 minutes
carpooled with friends; shared a cab
october 4, 2007
today
shower | 9 minutes
reusable mug; wasted some paper printing project; brought plastic bottle back to room
shower | 9 minutes
reusable mug; wasted some paper printing project; brought plastic bottle back to room
october 2, 2007
today
shower | 8 minutes
hairdry | 2.5 minutes
charge phone | 2.5 hours
waste | forgot reusable mug; used one tin can and one plastic bottle; brought back to room to recycle
shower | 8 minutes
hairdry | 2.5 minutes
charge phone | 2.5 hours
waste | forgot reusable mug; used one tin can and one plastic bottle; brought back to room to recycle
october 1, 2007
today
shower | 9 minutes
hairdry | 2 minutes
dishes | 6 minutes
tv | 30 minutes
used reusable mug
shower | 9 minutes
hairdry | 2 minutes
dishes | 6 minutes
tv | 30 minutes
used reusable mug
september 30, 2007
highlight | wrote smaller when taking orders and conserved paper as well as made my orders more organized
fault | forgot reusable bag at grocery store
today
shower | 9 minutes
hairdryer | 3.5 minutes
driving | 17 minutes
at work | wrote orders small to conserve paper
fault | forgot reusable bag at grocery store
today
shower | 9 minutes
hairdryer | 3.5 minutes
driving | 17 minutes
at work | wrote orders small to conserve paper
september 29, 2007
highlight | bought a program from a broadway show and, rather than coming in a plastic bag or being by itself, it was protected in a canvas drawstring back with the show's name on it; almost like two souviners in one
today
shower | 13 minutes
hairdryer | 5 minutes
charged phone | 43 minutes
used public transportation; carpooled with friends
today
shower | 13 minutes
hairdryer | 5 minutes
charged phone | 43 minutes
used public transportation; carpooled with friends
september 28, 2007
highlight | i went to the a fair and noticed that the tickets now come on a rechargable card of coated paper rather than in a sheet of individual tickets, definitly thought that was a cool idea
today
shower | 16 minutes
driving | 1 hour, 10 minutes
charging camera battery | 30 minutes
carpooled to fair
today
shower | 16 minutes
driving | 1 hour, 10 minutes
charging camera battery | 30 minutes
carpooled to fair
Friday, September 28, 2007
september 27, 2007
fault | i probably could have turned the fan on at least a low when i was sleeping
today
shower | 7 minutes
fan | 7 hours 30 minutes
dishes | water running for 5 minutes
clean fish bowl | water running for 4 minutes, used about 1/2 gallon water
tv | 2 hours
did not bring a canvas bag to the market, forgot and got plastic; used water bottle all day
today
shower | 7 minutes
fan | 7 hours 30 minutes
dishes | water running for 5 minutes
clean fish bowl | water running for 4 minutes, used about 1/2 gallon water
tv | 2 hours
did not bring a canvas bag to the market, forgot and got plastic; used water bottle all day
september 26, 2007
highlight | started second box of recycling—one for just paper/cardboard, and one for just bottle
today
shower | 12 minutes
tv | 1 hour 20 minutes
fan | 4 hours 41 minutes
used water bottle or travel mug for all beverages; used window light
today
shower | 12 minutes
tv | 1 hour 20 minutes
fan | 4 hours 41 minutes
used water bottle or travel mug for all beverages; used window light
september 25, 2007
highlight | picked up photo supplies for HAS while i was at the photo store; saved another trip to get them
fault | i could have just done one load of laundry and saved a little of it for the next time i do laundry
today
shower | 10 minutes
driving | 34 minutes
tv | 3 hours
laundry | 2 washes for 38 minutes each, 2 dry cycles at 1 hour each
fan on high setting | 4 hours 17 minutes
used water bottle all day
fault | i could have just done one load of laundry and saved a little of it for the next time i do laundry
today
shower | 10 minutes
driving | 34 minutes
tv | 3 hours
laundry | 2 washes for 38 minutes each, 2 dry cycles at 1 hour each
fan on high setting | 4 hours 17 minutes
used water bottle all day
september 24, 2007
today
shower | 14 minutes
dishes | 3 minutes
tv | 45 minutes
used a water bottle and travel mug
shower | 14 minutes
dishes | 3 minutes
tv | 45 minutes
used a water bottle and travel mug
recycling (reusing) and work
i work at a cafe & banquet hall and i notice how much food, napkins, and water is wasted every time i work. it's not because the cafe is wasteful, but because cleanliness is a huge issue. every time we pass hors d'oeuvre we have a tray in one hand and a pile of napkins in the other hand. many people will take a napkin for every other hors d'oeuvre they have. that's a lot of napkins and they all get thrown away after. in the restaurant business, it's far better throw away a crinkled napkin, or re-wash a dish if it eliminates the possibility of germs or anything that might not be clean.
although a lot is wasted, i've also begun to see things the cafe does to recycle. for example we always use two table clothes per table for banquets. this makes them look nicer and protects the wooden tables from spills. when we strip the tables after the party, we inspect the top clothes to see how dirty they are. if they are, for the most part, clean, we save them. when we use them again, we put them as the bottom cloth (and put a new one on top). this way, water and money is saved washing clothes that aren't necessarily dirty. we have also started saving cloth napkins that aren't really dirty. we use these to cover trays we use when we clear away trash or empty glasses, or to carry out pans of food when they're hot. in addition, we always recycle glass bottles and use loose-leaf tea with reusable strainers and pots.
although i still see a lot of waste, i also see a lot of ways to reuse.
although a lot is wasted, i've also begun to see things the cafe does to recycle. for example we always use two table clothes per table for banquets. this makes them look nicer and protects the wooden tables from spills. when we strip the tables after the party, we inspect the top clothes to see how dirty they are. if they are, for the most part, clean, we save them. when we use them again, we put them as the bottom cloth (and put a new one on top). this way, water and money is saved washing clothes that aren't necessarily dirty. we have also started saving cloth napkins that aren't really dirty. we use these to cover trays we use when we clear away trash or empty glasses, or to carry out pans of food when they're hot. in addition, we always recycle glass bottles and use loose-leaf tea with reusable strainers and pots.
although i still see a lot of waste, i also see a lot of ways to reuse.
september 23, 2007
today
shower | 11 minutes
hairdryer | 2 1/2 minutes
tv | 2 hour and 32 minutes
driving | 19 minutes
shower | 11 minutes
hairdryer | 2 1/2 minutes
tv | 2 hour and 32 minutes
driving | 19 minutes
september 22, 2007
highlight | since i worked most of the day, i was in an area of shared light and electricity
fault | threw away far too many paper napkins
today
shower | 9 minutes
hairdryer | 8 minutes
driving | 17 minutes
tv | 1 hour and 28 minutes
charged phone | 1 hour and 16 minutes
fault | threw away far too many paper napkins
today
shower | 9 minutes
hairdryer | 8 minutes
driving | 17 minutes
tv | 1 hour and 28 minutes
charged phone | 1 hour and 16 minutes
september 21, 2007
highlight | carpooled with friends to mall rather than going alone
fault | used five napkins at lunch, although it was messy, i probably could've wasted fewer
today
shower | 9 minutes
driving (with friends) | 50 minutes
cleaned fish bowl | 3 minutes of running water, 2 gallons of water (for later use)
tv | 2 hours 45 minutes
trend i've been noticing | reading articles for class online or on the computer rather than printing them out and using up ink and paper
fault | used five napkins at lunch, although it was messy, i probably could've wasted fewer
today
shower | 9 minutes
driving (with friends) | 50 minutes
cleaned fish bowl | 3 minutes of running water, 2 gallons of water (for later use)
tv | 2 hours 45 minutes
trend i've been noticing | reading articles for class online or on the computer rather than printing them out and using up ink and paper
Friday, September 21, 2007
obsession of the week: method brand products
over the summer i read somewhere that method hand products are environmentally friendlier than most so i bought the hand soap and shower spray for school. oddly enough, one of my suite mates bough method dish soap and another bought the method hand soap in a different scent. i love these products because they are better for the environment than most. all the ingredients they use in their products are safe and non-toxic for us then the environment. and, to top it all off, they have great design. when i looked at the website and read their "humanifesto" i liked the company even more. and, looking at their products, i want to buy them all. if you've heard of method and use it, that's great. if you haven't, you should try it (many stores like target and Shaw's carry it), and whether you've heard of it or not, you should check out their website.
http://www.methodhome.com/index.php ("humanifesto" under what we're for)
recycling awareness around campus
while eating lunch at one of the cafeterias on campus today i noticed a little recycling fact on the napkin holder. it said "every day, enough paper is recycled in the United States to fill a 15 mile long train of boxcars." that's interesting, but it doesn't encourage recycling or encourage using fewer napkins. if napkins were frequently recycled, or if these napkins were made of all recycled materials, it would make sense. i think there should have been a fact about how much paper is wasted every day so that people are more aware of how many napkins they use.
september 20, 2007
highlight | took online "going green" quiz and got 7 out of 10! (the ones i got wrong were about how much money can be saved and really specific) test your eco-iq at http://green.nationalgeographic.com/environment/going-green/quiz-going-green.html?nav=FEATURES
today
shower | 19 minutes
tv | 2 hours 45 minutes
charged phone | 2 hours
other | used a water bottle all day long (no paper or plastic cups), emptied one bag of trash and re-filled with plastic shopping bag (we'll see how long it takes to fill up now that i'm not throwing out things that can be recycled)
today
shower | 19 minutes
tv | 2 hours 45 minutes
charged phone | 2 hours
other | used a water bottle all day long (no paper or plastic cups), emptied one bag of trash and re-filled with plastic shopping bag (we'll see how long it takes to fill up now that i'm not throwing out things that can be recycled)
Thursday, September 20, 2007
september 19, 2007
highlight | carried a reusable mug to class
fault | threw away a plastic bottle when i should've recycled it
today
shower | 9 minutes of water and light
dishes | 9 minutes, 5 minutes
tv | 1 hour 43 minutes
other | 2 plastic bottles, two tooth picks with fancy plastic decoration, styrafoam plate, three paper napkins
fault | threw away a plastic bottle when i should've recycled it
today
shower | 9 minutes of water and light
dishes | 9 minutes, 5 minutes
tv | 1 hour 43 minutes
other | 2 plastic bottles, two tooth picks with fancy plastic decoration, styrafoam plate, three paper napkins
a cool way to reuse
the other night i went to a pub where they serve peanuts in the shells. when one of the waitresses commented on our use of an empty glass as a shell-holder, she let us know that we were allowed, even encouraged to throw the peanut shells on the floor. my friends and i were a little surprised that they wanted a mess, but the waitress said the oils from the peanut shells are good for the wooden floors. i just thought that was a cool way of reusing something most people would throw away.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
september 18, 2007
highlight | used a plastic water bottle for most of the day
fault | forgot water bottle for the rest of the day
today
shower | 8 minutes
light | used light from window for reading
kitchen light | 16 minutes
other | shared photo chemicals with friends; less waste
fault | forgot water bottle for the rest of the day
today
shower | 8 minutes
light | used light from window for reading
kitchen light | 16 minutes
other | shared photo chemicals with friends; less waste
september 17, 2007
fault | could've used a water bottle instead of wasting a paper cup
today
shower |12 minutes of water and light
dishes | 3 minutes of running water
other | used a canvas bag at the campus grocery store; asked for no bag at campus bookstore
today
shower |12 minutes of water and light
dishes | 3 minutes of running water
other | used a canvas bag at the campus grocery store; asked for no bag at campus bookstore
september 16, 2007
highlight | carpooled with a friend to church
fault | wasted more paper than i needed to at work while waitressing; i could have written more on one sheet of paper
today
shower | 8 minutes
driving | 25 minutes
television | 2 hours and 10 minutes
fault | wasted more paper than i needed to at work while waitressing; i could have written more on one sheet of paper
today
shower | 8 minutes
driving | 25 minutes
television | 2 hours and 10 minutes
Monday, September 17, 2007
the box of "to-be-recycled"
a few days ago i designated an empty cardboard box as "the box of to-be-recycled". this box is a limbo for recyclable materials that can't yet be recycled but will be at some point. so far, it's has lots of paper, crushed cereal boxes, and empty plastic and glass bottles. over time, i will be able to see how it impacts the amount of trash i take out over the course of a week, since everything in the box would normally be thrown away.
september 15, 2007
highlight | remembered to used canvas bags at grocery store
today
shower | 8 minutes of water and light
dishes | 4 minutes of running water
hair dryer | 3 minutes
laundry | 1 load in washer for 38 minutes, 1 load in dryer for 60 minutes
driving | 28 minutes
today
shower | 8 minutes of water and light
dishes | 4 minutes of running water
hair dryer | 3 minutes
laundry | 1 load in washer for 38 minutes, 1 load in dryer for 60 minutes
driving | 28 minutes
september 14, 2007
highlight | used a canvas bag for groceries off-campus
fault | forgot canvas bag for groceries on-campus
today
shower | 15 minutes of running water, 15 minutes of light for shower
dishes | 3 minutes of running water
tv | 2 hours and 32 minutes of watching tv
cleaning fish bowl | 3 1/2 minutes of running water to rinse fish bowl, approx. one gallon used to fill fish bowl
extra | 2 plastic bags, 2 paper bags
fault | forgot canvas bag for groceries on-campus
today
shower | 15 minutes of running water, 15 minutes of light for shower
dishes | 3 minutes of running water
tv | 2 hours and 32 minutes of watching tv
cleaning fish bowl | 3 1/2 minutes of running water to rinse fish bowl, approx. one gallon used to fill fish bowl
extra | 2 plastic bags, 2 paper bags
september 13, 2007
highlight | turned off water while scrubbing dishes and didn't turn back on until ready to rinse
today
shower | 11 minutes of running water & 11 minutes of light on in shower
dishes | 2 minutes and 45 seconds of running water
used open window for light
today
shower | 11 minutes of running water & 11 minutes of light on in shower
dishes | 2 minutes and 45 seconds of running water
used open window for light
september 12, 2007
highlight | using sunlight as a light source
i usually keep the shade down for privacy because i live on the first floor and people are always walking by, but today decided to break the habit of not even bothering to open my shade
today
carried items from bookstore and grocery store rather than waste two plastic bags (i didn't have much to carry anyways)
turned off all the lights after leaving a room
rinsed out a cup i had already been using rather than get a different cup
i usually keep the shade down for privacy because i live on the first floor and people are always walking by, but today decided to break the habit of not even bothering to open my shade
today
carried items from bookstore and grocery store rather than waste two plastic bags (i didn't have much to carry anyways)
turned off all the lights after leaving a room
rinsed out a cup i had already been using rather than get a different cup
college life: the situation
living on a college campus doesn't always lend itself to recycling. we have no recycling program and, from what i've heard, the reason is because half the campus is in one city and half in another. what a stupid reason. one of the dining halls has an area for plastic bottles, but there are no easily accesible way to recycle, so most things i would normally recycle at home (papers, cereal boxes, glass bottles, cans, plastic, etc.) get thrown away. one good thing about college life: i use my car a lot less than when i'm at home.
small is BIG: an introduction
many people are aware of the new trend of sustainability, but not everyone realizes just how easy it is to make a difference. for this project, i'm keeping track of all the small things i am doing that together make a BIG impact.
every day, i will keep track of the resources i use and the things i do that somehow help the environment; whether its reusing a plastic bag, or showering for a minute less that usual. i hope that, by reading this, others will realize small things they can do to make our world a little more green.
every day, i will keep track of the resources i use and the things i do that somehow help the environment; whether its reusing a plastic bag, or showering for a minute less that usual. i hope that, by reading this, others will realize small things they can do to make our world a little more green.
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