i've always been a cheap person.
and i mean that to say i've always been an accidental environmentalist. from a young age, my parents were sending us to school with tupperware, reusable lunch bags, and homemade cookies wrapped individually in cloth bags. we moaned and lamented over our classmates lunchables and prepackaged cookies - all i wanted in grade 4 was a fruit roll up.
though i have many an issue with being cheap - frugal, or thrifty may sound better - it does afford me many ingrained practices of environmentalism that just come naturally... which - to be honest - i had no idea were environmental until this new green trend came to be.
i take issue with the green trend - i can't decide if i'm ecstatic that people are paying attention, or nervous that it will soon fade.
nevertheless, the practices that will actually make differences are those that people have committed to for the long run, and have no consciousness of doing. they save money, the environment, and the older i get, the more fun i think they are. as i watch people are work eating cafeteria food every day for lunch, i love opening my lunch packed the night before, and eating something different every day.
i received this email from the gym at my work - and it focused on environmental practices for working out. since they are things that we can all do EASILY... and though i don't condone passive activism, these all seem like those things that we can easily engrain, and afford us the time to commit to active activism (is that an appropriate term? maybe that's why it's called 'activism')
Water bottles: Instead of leaving a trail of empty plastic water bottles behind, switch to a reusable bottle. Two popular bottles are Sigg and Klean Kanteen (who are part of 1% for the planet). Sigg bottles are made from aluminum and Klean Kanteen bottles from stainless steel. Both bottles are BPA-free and non-leaching.
Yoga mats: Traditional yoga mats are made from PVC vinyl. Although cheaper, they are not environmentally friendly. Look for mats that are made from natural rubber and jute, both renewable resources. (lululemon has done a good job of using recycled material in their standard mats)
Second hand equipment: If you are buying dumbbells or a treadmill for your home gym, consider buying them second hand. These products often end up in landfills. You can save the environment and some money by buying them used. (play it again sports is an awesome store for used sports equipment - i get a TON of stuff there)
Clothing: Eco-friendly workout gear is becoming more popular. Products made from organic cotton, hemp and bamboo, which are grown and harvested in a sustainable manner are becoming main stream. Patagonia, lululemon and Roots are just a few retailers that are offering “green” clothing.
and i mean that to say i've always been an accidental environmentalist. from a young age, my parents were sending us to school with tupperware, reusable lunch bags, and homemade cookies wrapped individually in cloth bags. we moaned and lamented over our classmates lunchables and prepackaged cookies - all i wanted in grade 4 was a fruit roll up.
though i have many an issue with being cheap - frugal, or thrifty may sound better - it does afford me many ingrained practices of environmentalism that just come naturally... which - to be honest - i had no idea were environmental until this new green trend came to be.
i take issue with the green trend - i can't decide if i'm ecstatic that people are paying attention, or nervous that it will soon fade.
nevertheless, the practices that will actually make differences are those that people have committed to for the long run, and have no consciousness of doing. they save money, the environment, and the older i get, the more fun i think they are. as i watch people are work eating cafeteria food every day for lunch, i love opening my lunch packed the night before, and eating something different every day.
i received this email from the gym at my work - and it focused on environmental practices for working out. since they are things that we can all do EASILY... and though i don't condone passive activism, these all seem like those things that we can easily engrain, and afford us the time to commit to active activism (is that an appropriate term? maybe that's why it's called 'activism')
Water bottles: Instead of leaving a trail of empty plastic water bottles behind, switch to a reusable bottle. Two popular bottles are Sigg and Klean Kanteen (who are part of 1% for the planet). Sigg bottles are made from aluminum and Klean Kanteen bottles from stainless steel. Both bottles are BPA-free and non-leaching.
Yoga mats: Traditional yoga mats are made from PVC vinyl. Although cheaper, they are not environmentally friendly. Look for mats that are made from natural rubber and jute, both renewable resources. (lululemon has done a good job of using recycled material in their standard mats)
Second hand equipment: If you are buying dumbbells or a treadmill for your home gym, consider buying them second hand. These products often end up in landfills. You can save the environment and some money by buying them used. (play it again sports is an awesome store for used sports equipment - i get a TON of stuff there)
Clothing: Eco-friendly workout gear is becoming more popular. Products made from organic cotton, hemp and bamboo, which are grown and harvested in a sustainable manner are becoming main stream. Patagonia, lululemon and Roots are just a few retailers that are offering “green” clothing.