3 of the New 5 R’s

Most of the environmental damage is done in the manufacturing stage, so the less consumerism, the better.  According to the EPA, Americans produced 254.1 million tons of household trash in 2007.  In 2008, landfills reported a 30% decline in waste levels.  Keep in mind the five R’s when you are getting organized.  Make every day Earth Day!

Here are three of the five:

Eco-Organizing: Another Excuse to Hold onto Trash?

Someone asked me if being green in organizing was simply another excuse to hold onto trash and keep clutter.  ABSOLUTELY NOT!

There was an article in the N & O last year about an artist who makes art from stuff people want to throw away.  Some people might see it still as junk, but this man has chosen to make something artistic out of it. I am not a big fan of modern art, so I can see how people wouldn’t appreciate what he has created.  Alas, beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

So many times when I see organizing or cleaning shows on TV I see all of this good stuff just being chucked into a container to be dumped at a landfill later.  Eco-organizing is about recycling what you can according to your local laws; reusing items that are in good condition; donating items, such as clothes, that can be used by someone else.  There are many alternatives out there (freecyle/Craigs List, etc.) for you to give to someone else instead of simply pitching.  There are also many everyday items you can repurpose to help you get organized.

Every little bit makes a difference.

What can you do today to make the world a little more green?

Sip Smart

• Americans buy an estimated 29.8 billion plastic water bottles every year.
• Nearly eight out of every 10 bottles will end up in a landfill.
• It is estimated that the production of plastics accounts for 4 percent of the energy consumption in the U.S.

By making a simple switch to a BPA-free bottle will save you money & be better for the earth.  You can buy one for each family member in his or her favorite color.  (I recommend coordinating backpacks, school supplies, bath towels, toothbrushes, etc. for children).

http://www.waterbobble.com/

http://www.evergreencanteen.com/Brands/CamelBak

http://www.nalgene-outdoor.com/

Commitment Phobe? No problem!

Need a pair of skis for a weekend trip or an entertainment system for a party? Instead of buying….

Check out a low-commitment version of EBay:  www.zilok.com

Hunka Hunka Burning Junk

Handsome men hauling your junk away–for free!

Dedicated to bettering our environment, Garage Brothers find new homes for our client’s unwanted items. Whether it be through sales, recycling, or donations to various charities, they do whatever possible to ensure that as little as possible is added to our landfills.

http://www.freegaragecleaning.com/

Leftover Holiday Wrapping Paper?

Of course, you can always use the paper next year, but if you are looking for some ways to be creative and help get organized here are some suggestions:

shred and use as packaging material;

wrap around recycled tin cans to store pens, pencils and scissors;

make a bookmark;

create decorative box labels and color code by subject;

use in a frame and hang it for a graphic touch;

protect your books;

construct napkin rings by cutting strips and wrapping around flatware for your next dinner party;

compose a card;

save it by ironing on low and rolling it back on the tube to reuse next year!

What other creative ideas do you have?  Remember to try and make being green fun.  Don’t think of it as a chore, but rather a way to be creativity and stretch your imagination while doing good for the planet.

Organzing Your Wrapping/Green Ideas

Still need to wrap?  Here are some suggestions:

Instead of getting all different kinds of wrapping paper for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, birthdays, etc. consider getting butcher block paper that you can dress up with bows, artwork, etc.;

create  your  signature color (purple should stand out at every event!): or simply choose three colors such as silver, white and red that you can mix and match for the occasion.

When wrapping gifts consider assigning one color for each group of people to make mix ups less likely and easier for you to organize.  Immediate family could be white; co-workers could be red; cousins silver, etc.

Some eco-friendly options instead of wrapping paper include: using newspaper (foreign & comics are good choices); old maps; reusing paper from last year (simply set an iron on low and smooth); leftover fabric; old calendars, catalogs, magazines; jars and other resusable items such as a cake pan.  Have fun getting creative!

Look for non-paper  (http://www.islandnet.com/~ecodette/ecosource.htm)  and high post consumer content ( http://www.endoprint.com/wrapping-paper-s/3.htm&click=16 and   http://www.greenraising.com/Recycled-Gift-Wrap-C12.aspx ) as this closes the loop. Also check out reusable wrapsacks:  http://wrapsacks.com/

Remember to reuse bows; my mother has been doing this since I was a child and they last several gifts.  I also like to use the clear containers curtains come in to keep ribbons.

Free Virtual Assistant!

Keep track  of football games, shopping lists, and to do lists.  All for free on this family online organizer accessible from the Web or any phone. You can even subscribe to school calendars to have events added for you:

http://www.cozi.com/

For those of you that need a little more work from your friendly VA, I would like to recommend Angel Lebak.  You can find out more about her services and her team here:

http://www.assistantangel.com/

I would also like to recommend Collen Gray.  You can find out more about her services here:

http://www.colleensreva.com/

Organizing Your Holiday Cards, Part 1

I know, I know!  Thanksgiving isn’t even here and I am talking about getting started on your cards.  With planning and organizing, you can avoid doing everything at the last minute.  As someone who has had to help her mother do all her cards at the last second, I know how stressful and hectic it can be. I want you to help you avoid that.

These tasks can be done relatively quickly.  Do when watching TV; or listening to music.  I always suggest carrying everything in a tote so if you end up having to wait (at the doctor’s office, etc.) you can do something instead of getting frustrated.  Try and get started on these and have most completed by Thanksgiving.

Go through your card list. If you haven’t created a master card list, now is a great time to get that in a spreadsheet, word document, etc.  Really take the time to review.  Do you really need to send a card to someone you haven’t kept in touch with for years?  Who really loves and appreciates cards?  Most elderly people do, so be sure to include them, even if you send e-mail cards.  I suggest recycled cards made from a high post consumer content.

Update your address book/spreadsheet/e-mail list.

Print/collect return address labels.

Buy cards. http://www.mygoodgreetings.com/ http://doodle-greetings.com/ http://www.greenshanti.com/store/stationary/greeting-card-35.html

Creating homemade cards?  Get going!

Including photos/photo card?  Pick and order.

Do a newsletter?  Start a draft. Get the family involved so the burden isn’t with one person and make it fun!

Take one of your cards (or one similar to what you are doing i.e. with a photo, folded up newsletter, etc.) to the post office to make sure you have the correct postage. The last thing you want is returned cards!

Buy stamps at post office/online.

Part 2 and green alternatives coming shortly.

Social Networking: Don’t become like Charlie on the MTA

I just finished my daily morning routine which includes updating my status on facebook/FB like page, linked in, Inside 919, and scanning what others had to say; checking my personal and business emails; and skimming the news.

I actually have that penciled in my daily calendar. Why? It helps keep me from being sucked into the online world where I could “never return with my fate still unlearned” like Charlie.

Not only can we lose track of time, but we can become less productive by constantly interrupting our work to respond.

I also schedule blocks throughout the day to check email and I do NOT have an icon that tells me when I receive a new email. I have spam filters on so I do not have to wade through a lot of junk. Finally, I ask people who take my business card to not automatically add me to their newsletters.

In an age where we are connected to everything and everyone it is hard to turn it all off. But we need to every now and then for not only productivity, but peace of mind!

How do you manage all your social networking?  What do you do to be more productive?

Who can name which song by which group–clue below!

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