Go Green by Sharing and Swapping Belongings

Go Green in 2014: Week 52

 I'm going to keep this week's post really short due to being sick with some bug I caught over Christmas break. My brain is in a bit of a fog, but I'll give this my best shot.

My green idea for Week 52 - the final week of my green challenge - is sharing and/or swapping belongings to reduce waste.

Ideas for sharing gently-used items include:

• Offer clothing you no longer wear to friends who wear the same size as you.
• Host a clothing swap or rummage sale where a group of people can trade gently-used items for things they like.
• Donate clothing or household items to a local charity. 
• Pet supplies can be donated to the local animal shelter or humane society.
• Swap books with friends who have the same taste in reading material.
• Re-gift items that you are unlikely to use (but never re-gift to the person who gave it to you!).
• Join your local "swap and shop" group on Facebook to trade or sell/buy belongings.

What are some ways you have gone green by sharing and/or swapping belongings? Share your ideas in the comments below.

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Your challenge: This week, consider ways you can share or swap items as a step toward going green.

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**This post is part of a weekly challenge {Go Green in 2014}, during which the author has challenged herself - and you - to find 52 ways to lead a greener life in 2014. You can follow the weekly posts on this page.**

Green Holiday Gift Shopping Ideas

Go Green in 2014: Week 47

The holidays are coming up quickly, and you may be wondering how you can go green with your gift giving....

Although I've hardly begun my shopping, I have been trying to come up with some ideas to lessen my environmental impact once I get started. Following are a few things I have done in the past, as well as some new ideas for this year's holiday gifts.

1. Support local shops. Shopping locally is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint because it helps conserve resources, such as those related to transportation. Plus, you will be helping to support the local economy.

2. Make your own holiday gifts. "Doing it yourself" is not only a great way to conserve resources, but it's usually pretty inexpensive and much more personal. In my experience, people tend to appreciate handmade gifts much more than generic, store-bought items.

3. Shop for gifts made with recycled materials. There are all kinds of neat gift items that are made with recycled materials, such as flip flop doormats, recycled metal jewelry and wall art, reclaimed wood furniture, and so on. You could even combine ideas 1 and 2, and make your own recycled material holiday gifts.

4. Give away seed packets. Seed packets are a great way to help someone become more eco-friendly, whether they are for flowers, veggies, or herbs. If you want to take it a step further, you could give potted herbs, perhaps to someone who enjoys cooking.

5. Buy gift cards to local stores. Gift cards are great because they are small, and the recipients can then buy whatever they like. This greatly reduces waste (have you ever received something that ended up collecting dust for several years before you finally gave it away or sold it in a garage sale?).

6. Give reusable cloth napkins or "unpaper" towels. Someone who goes through a lot of paper towels, such as someone with kids or pets, might appreciate the monetary savings associated with reusable napkins. Learn more here. Cloth sandwich and snack baggies are also a great idea.

7. Shop for non-toxic toys for kids. Wooden toys may be safer than plastic ones, because plastic often contains toxic chemicals - however, if the wood is painted, do your research to be sure it is non-toxic. Learn about three chemicals that could be in your child's toys.

8. Purchase dryer balls or soap nuts as gifts. Instead of dryer sheets or fabric softener, I use wool dryer balls to soften my laundry. Soap nuts, which come from the soapberry tree, are also a great gift idea for someone who might be interested in switching to a more green detergent alternative.

9. Make sure gifts are practical or useful. If you're not sure someone will use your gift, maybe you should reconsider it. Items that go unused are wasteful, so if you really don't know someone very well, consider simply asking what they want or need.

10. "Wrap" gifts in reusable bags. You will likely want to wrap your gift, whether it's green or...not so much. Reusable cloth bags are useful because they have so many purposes: grocery shopping, traveling, or just storing certain items (I like keep my yarn in a reusable bag for easy transportation).

What are some ways you have gone green with holiday gift giving? How do you plan to do so this year?

Photo courtesy of Flickr / FutUndBeidl

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Disclosure: This post may contain some affiliate links, but all opinions are my own.

Your challenge: This week, if you haven't already, start your holiday gift list with as many green and environmentally-friendly items as you can come up with.

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**This post is part of a weekly challenge {Go Green in 2014}, during which the author has challenged herself - and you - to find 52 ways to lead a greener life in 2014. You can follow the weekly posts on this page.**

How & Why to Ditch Disposable Sandwich Bags for Cloth

Go Green in 2014: Week 42

It's late in the day once again, due to the fact that I was out of town again this weekend and didn't have a chance to work on this post until after work today. I'm going to try to keep it short because, well, it's getting late and I'm either getting sick or my allergies are flaring up from being in Minnesota (I already drank some honey tea...and I'm sure I'll be attempting a few more natural remedies before this is over).

Anyway. I wanted to cover reusable cloth sandwich and snack baggies with this post. Does your household go through a lot of plastic baggies? Between sandwiches, snacks, and various other items, it's easy to burn through an entire box before you know it. I had recently started bringing snacks to work in reusable plastic containers, but they are kind of bulky, so I decided to order some reusable cloth baggies from Etsy. Here's a link to the shop I ordered from (Disclaimer: I am not compensated in any way for endorsing this shop).

Why use cloth instead of plastic?

The biggest reason to ditch disposable sandwich bags for cloth is to reduce waste. Some people go through several plastic bags daily, which can really add up quickly...and then there's the money it costs to replenish your supply. Plus, the baggies I bought are just adorable. ;)

How can you make the switch?

If you're really ambitious, you can make your own baggies. However, I still haven't purchased a sewing machine, so I ordered mine online (see the link above). There are tons of different online shops with various styles and patterns. The baggies I ordered came in sets of two - one sandwich bag and one snack bag. I ordered four sets.

I've only been using them for a week, but they work great. They are made with colorful cotton fabric; white nylon lines the inside; and they have Velcro (hook and loop) closures. To reuse, simply turn them inside out, shake out the crumbs, and wipe clean.

Do you use cloth sandwich and snack bags? Or do you have a different solution for reducing the number of plastic baggies you use? To be honest, I won't completely do away with the plastic. I like using them for freezing food, and it's nice to be able to throw away the plastic after thawing the food. But every little bit helps when it comes to reducing waste.

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Your challenge: This week, consider the ways you can reduce the number of plastic baggies you use and try to implement them into your daily routine.

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**This post is part of a weekly challenge {Go Green in 2014}, during which the author has challenged herself - and you - to find 52 ways to lead a greener life in 2014. You can follow the weekly posts on this page.**

Go Green by Going Paperless

Go Green in 2014: Week 38

These days, most companies offer paperless billing, as well as ways to easily pay your bills without sending a check in the mail.

What is paperless billing?

As I'm sure most of you already know, paperless billing is simply a way to receive your bills without actually getting a paper statement in the mail. This is an option that allows you to reduce waste - and that stack of mail that keeps piling up on the kitchen counter! It also saves businesses money on paper and ink.

I am not completely paperless when it comes to receiving my bills, but I have been working on it. I would say the majority of our bills are paid without receiving anything in the mail. Of course, there are still companies that don't offer that option, but any amount of reduced waste is a good thing.

Ways to go green with bill paying

Some businesses offer automatic bill pay on a certain day each month; my car payments actually come directly out of my check. Even if the business itself doesn't offer this option, most banks do. Otherwise, you can either call the company to pay a bill directly over the phone, or you can pay through their website.

What are some ways you pay your bills without actually writing out a check and mailing it out?

Potential drawbacks...

There are a few bills that I still pay with a paper check, simply because it's easier or costs less - even if it does waste paper. :( Perhaps you have trouble remembering how to log into your account every month, or the website is difficult to navigate, or they charge an arm and a leg to pay your bill online. In these instances, it might make more sense to send a payment in the mail.

Even though I'm not completely paperless yet, I feel pretty good about how far I've come. How about you?

Photo courtesy of Flickr / Filippo Diotalevi

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Your challenge: This week, think about the ways you can go paperless with bill paying.

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**This post is part of a weekly challenge {Go Green in 2014}, during which the author has challenged herself - and you - to find 52 ways to lead a greener life in 2014. You can follow the weekly posts on this page.**

How & Why You Should be Filtering Your Tap Water

Go Green in 2014: Week 32

Caroline Bach / https://www.flickr.com/photos/carolinebach/

Your daily shower (or bath) may seem harmless, and many of us even enjoy taking a nice, hot shower. But did you know that the water contains chlorine to kill bacteria and microorganisms? This is great, except for the fact that when you soak your body in warm water, your pores open, making you susceptible to absorbing the chlorine through the largest organ in your body - your skin. In fact, you absorb more chlorine in one minute in the shower than you do by drinking eight glasses of the same water (source).

Chlorine can cause skin and eye irritation, in addition to drying out the hair and scalp. The good news is that you can filter out the chlorine and toxic chemicals with a simple shower or bath filtration system.

There are also various ways you can filter your drinking water to minimize the chlorine and anything else that might be lurking in it. Let's start by going over bath and shower filter ideas, then move on to filtering your drinking water.

Filtering shower and bath water

By filtering your water, you will likely have softer, smoother skin and silkier hair. You won't be absorbing harmful toxins, and certain shower heads might even reduce the amount of water that is wasted.

A cheap option is to get the Sprite SL-CM Slim-Line Universal Shower Filter; you just need to replace the cartridge every six months. This should work with your regular shower head.

To filter bath water, whether you have kids or just enjoy taking a relaxing bath, you might try a bath ball. I've read mixed reviews on a few different brands, but if you do a little more research that I have so far, you might find something worth trying.

Filtering your drinking water

I rarely drink tap water anymore, unless I don't have any other options. We used to use the Brita pitchers with a built-in filtering system, but the house we bought has a refrigerator filtering system, so we no longer need to refill the pitchers every couple days. In addition to these options, you can also buy a filter that connects directly with the faucet, directly filtering your tap water. No matter which option you choose, it is essential to replace the cartridge within the recommended amount of time to make sure you always have clean drinking water.

It is pretty inexpensive to install a faucet filter. Here's a good option.

What is your favorite brand or type of water filter? Have you noticed any benefits since you started filtering the tap water?

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**Disclosure: Although this post may contain affiliate links, all opinions are my own.

Your challenge: This week, consider replacing your shower head with a "greener" option, as well as filtering your drinking water.

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**This post is part of a weekly challenge {Go Green in 2014}, during which the author has challenged herself - and you - to find 52 ways to lead a greener life in 2014. You can follow the weekly posts on this page.**

Simple Ideas for "Greening" Your Coffee and/or Tea Habit

Go Green in 2014: Week 30

Ahh! The aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafts through the house....

We enjoy drinking coffee and hot tea in our house, as many of you probably do. And like with many other aspects of life, there are various ways to "green" our coffee and/or tea habits.

First, you might want to consider where your hot beverages came from. Maybe you've never thought about it, but coffee and tea can be acquired from organically- and sustainably-grown sources. And hopefully it is fair trade. It's not always easy to find products that fit all these requirements; I won't claim that everything I buy has these certifications. Not even close...but every little bit helps.

Let's go over some of the reasons why it's a good idea to look for these certifying logos.

Why choose "organic" and "fair trade"

• Organic farming relies on techniques like crop rotation, green manure, compost, and biological pest control, rather than harmful fertilizers and pesticides. Look for the USDA Organic seal on the packaging to be sure a product is actually organic.
• Fair trade is a system of exchange that ensures farmers and workers are justly compensated for their products and services (source). Look for the fair trade logo on packaging to be sure a product is fair trade-certified.
• Additionally, a product might be advertised as being "sustainably grown", which basically means it was produced without harming the eco-system. Sustainable agriculture reduces the risk of topsoil depletion and groundwater contamination, the decline of family farms, the continued neglect of the living and working conditions for farm laborers, the increasing costs of production, and the disintegration of economic and social conditions in rural communities (source).

Ideas for reducing coffee and tea waste

Another aspect of going green is trying to reduce waste every way we can. When it comes to our hot beverages, reducing the amount of wasted packaging is a huge step in the process of "going green". And believe it or not, we can actually reuse those old coffee grounds and tea leaves in various ways, as well.

Ways to eliminate packaging waste

• Rather than using disposable cups at home, use washable mugs - and if you like to pick up coffee at the gas station, make sure to have a travel mug along so you can reduce waste (and maybe even get a discount on your coffee??).
• Buy larger containers of coffee grounds and bigger boxes of tea to reduce packaging waste.
• Instead of buying individual K-Cups (for Keurig brewers), get a reusable mesh filter (affiliate link) that you can fill with your own grounds and wash between uses.
• Invest in a tea ball or loose leaf infuser (affiliate link) that can be used for straining tea leaves; this is a great way for tea enthusiasts to reduce packaging waste.
• Look for products with biodegradable packaging, and add them to your compost pile.
• Compost your coffee filters.
• Recycle packaging where you can: plastic containers and coffee tins, plastic wrapping, and cardboard boxes.

Ways to reuse coffee grounds

• Compost your used coffee grounds.
• Reuse coffee grounds in homemade body products, such as body and facial scrubs.
• Remove odors from your hands by rubbing used coffee grounds between them before washing with warm water and soap.
• Keep pests out of your garden by sprinkling coffee grounds around problem areas. This also helps keep cats away from your plants.
• Fertilize plants, inside and outside the house, by sprinkling used coffee grounds in the soil where they grow. It may seem strange, but plants love coffee!

Ways to reuse tea leaves

• Compost your used tea leaves.
• Soothe tired eyes with cooled tea bags; simply place them under the eyes for as long as it is enjoyable.
• Use cooled tea bags as a cold compress for the relief of bug bites, burns, and bruises.
• Or, use them as a hot compress to heal pinkeye, canker sores, and fever blisters. They can even help treat plantar warts by drawing out the infection.
• Feed your plants with used tea leaves. Sprinkle them in the soil around houseplants or in your garden to help it grow.
• Absorb odors in the fridge with used tea bags.
• Soak in a bath of warm tea; run the bath water over several used tea bags and soak for at least twenty minutes to soften your skin.

Now that we've gone over a few simple ideas for "greening" your coffee and/or tea habit, which to you prefer: coffee or tea? What are some of your favorite ways to reduce waste or reuse old coffee grounds/tea leaves?

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*Disclaimer: Although this post may contain affiliate links, all opinions are my own.

Your challenge: This week, think about the ways you can go green with your coffee and tea and consider giving them a try.

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**This post is part of a weekly challenge {Go Green in 2014}, during which the author has challenged herself - and you - to find 52 ways to lead a greener life in 2014. You can follow the weekly posts on this page.**

Making the Switch to Cloth Napkins & "Unpaper" Towels

Go Green in 2014: Week 27

Why use cloth napkins and "unpaper" towels? The main reason I wanted to make the switch was to reduce waste. Although we rarely use paper napkins in our house, we do use paper towels on a pretty regular basis. I'll admit, they are handy: Just tear off a piece, clean up your mess, and toss it away.

The second reason to make the switch is to save money. Although it does cost money to wash laundry, napkins and small cloths take up very little space in the machine, so we can just toss them in along with the rest of the dirty laundry.

Finally, I just like the idea of using cloth napkins and decorative pieces of cloth for cleaning up small messes. They can be cute, and perhaps, even add an elegant touch to a dinner party. Best of all? You actually don't have to make a huge initial investment in your collection.

Where to buy cloth napkins and "unpaper" towels

• You can, of course, buy cloth napkins brand-new in department stores or order them online if you wish.
• There are numerous stores at Etsy.com that sell various styles of decorative cloth "unpaper" towels, as well as sets of cloth napkins.
• You could follow the route I took and look at thrift stores for gently-used sets of cloth napkins (pictured above, you can see the set of eight that I recently bought for less than $5 at the Salvation Army).
• Or, you could buy fabric in a pattern you like and create your own paper product alternative at home.

Have you purchased a set of cloth napkins or a reusable paper towel alternative? Where did you buy them from?

DIY ideas for no-sew cloth napkins and reusable towels

As someone who hasn't quite mastered the art of sewing (yet!), I love the idea of no-sew cloth napkins. Keep scrolling down for three no-sew ideas.

Cut up old sheets to use as cloth napkins

Flat sheets are easier to work with, but fitted sheets could work too, once the elastic band is removed from the edges. Measure and cut cotton or linen sheets to the desired sizes, pre-washing if they are brand new. Once they have been used and washed a time or two, the edges might start to curl up a little, but they should work still.

Or, here's how I made fancy, no-sew linen cloth napkins (inspired by the blog On Sutton Place):

1.  First, buy a piece of fabric in the color or pattern of your choice. I found a couple pieces at the local thrift store that I liked. Measure and cut the fabric into your desired napkin size, keeping in mind that they will be slightly smaller on each side once finished.

2. Start pulling out the threads on each edge, creating a frayed look, until the frays are about a quarter of an inch long. Trim each edge to neatly finish it off.

3. Wash your cloth napkins and trim the edges a little more if needed. Mine didn't turn out to be the exact same size - they aren't even perfectly square - but that's okay. As long as they are pretty close to the same size, slight imperfections shouldn't be noticeable.

Replace paper towels with washcloths

I once used a pack of washcloths to make a Mother's Day gift of "unpaper" towels. I even added snaps so they can snap together onto a roll, similar to regular paper towels. Of course, you can always keep your designated kitchen clean-up washcloths in a napkin holder or the like, but if you want them to resemble a roll of paper towels, here's how I did it.

You will need a dozen washcloths, an empty cardboard paper towel roll, snap pliers (affiliate link), and snaps in your preferred color. Pre-wash the cloths. Apply two "female" snaps and two "male" snaps to the corners of each washcloth, measuring them equal distances apart so the female edge of one cloth will snap into the male edge of another cloth. Additionally, apply two snaps to the cardboard roll, measuring the correct distance between the two so it is equal to the distance between the snaps on the washcloths.

Snap them all together, rolling each washcloth around the roll as you go.

(I apologize that I don't have pictures of the process. Maybe I'll make them again someday and post pictures afterward.)

Cut up old t-shirts to use as rags for cleaning

Of course, there is always the option to save old t-shirts and other pieces of clothing to cut up for use as cleaning rags. We do this quite frequently at our house. There are always old t-shirts that are too worn to be used as clothing anymore, so we use them for cleaning bathrooms and particularly yucky areas that need to be wiped down.

Tip: If you do choose to use paper napkins and towels on occasion, take note that they can be composted; check out this post on composting to learn more.

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**Disclosure: Although this post may contain affiliate links, all opinions are my own.

Your challenge: This week, think about ways you can switch to cloth napkins and non-paper towel alternatives.

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**This post is part of a weekly challenge {Go Green in 2014}, during which the author has challenged herself - and you - to find 52 ways to lead a greener life in 2014. You can follow the weekly posts on this page.**

How to Start Composting

Go Green in 2014: Week 22

In this post:

* Indoor/outdoor compost collection containers
* What can and cannot be composted
* What to do with your homemade compost

In this post about how to reduce food waste, I mentioned that I hadn't yet started composting, but that I planned to start. Well, I can finally say that we have started a compost pile!

To get started composting, you will need an indoor collection container and a larger one outdoors. You will need to learn what can and what cannot be composted. Finally, you will need to figure out what you're going to do once the compost is ready.

Indoor collection container ideas

You can use anything with a lid to collect your kitchen scraps for the compost pile. I like the idea of using a decorative bowl with a cover to sit on the counter, but until I find one I like, we are using a mason jar as an indoor collection container. You could also use a food storage container, an empty pickle jar, or even an aluminum can with something to cover the opening. You probably won't want to use anything that doesn't have a cover, due to the smell and the fact that it might attract fruit flies.

Outdoor collection container ideas

You will also need somewhere to dump the kitchen scraps and yard waste where it can all decompose. My husband built me a homemade outdoor collection container using a small slab of concrete and some bricks that were lying around. He built three walls with the bricks, and left the fourth side open so we can easily turn the compost each time we take out our kitchen scraps.

As the pile has grown, it has become slightly more difficult to turn the compost; I have been using a shovel to move it from one side to the other. It does take a bit of strength to get underneath the compost!

If you build your own compost area, you will want to make sure that water is able to drain after it rains. If you like, you could even section off an area of the yard where you want to plant a garden and use that area to build your compost pile. Then, after a couple months, your garden should be ready to plant.

Or maybe you would prefer to buy a plastic compost bin, rather than making one. A large barrel will make it easy to turn your compost on a regular basis because it can be rolled over with little effort.

Tip: When turned regularly (at least once a week - preferably every day), you compost could be ready to use within a few months. If it is never turned, it will take two years to decompose.

My homemade collection container is inside an old dog kennel on our property

What can be composted

• leaves
• grass clippings
• hair clippings
• popcorn
• produce peels
• eggshells
• paper napkins
• paper towels
• brown paper bags
• peanut shells
• chicken/rabbit manure
• earthworms (to speed the decomposition process)
• and more...

163 Things You Can Compost (link)

Tip: For richer compost, add a mix of both kitchen and yard scraps to your pile.

What cannot be composted

• bread products, baked goods
• pasta, rice
• cooking oils
• diseased plants
• human or pet feces
• meat products, bones, fat
• dairy products
• sawdust
• personal care products
• walnuts
• stubborn plants (dandelions, ivy)

What can you do with compost?

Once your compost pile has finished decomposing, what exactly are you supposed to do with it? First, you should know how to tell when your compost is done: When it's ready to use, your compost will be dark brown, and it will smell earthy. You might still have twigs and bits of eggshells, but you can either remove them or simply leave these larger pieces in the compost.

Of course, you can always use up your compost to fertilize a vegetable garden. But it can also be used to grow indoor plants, feed your fruit trees, feed your lawn (mature lawns only; newly seeded grass can be scorched by compost), and to mulch flower beds and shrubs.

Do you already have a compost pile? What have you done with it in the past? Please share your composting experience in the comment section below.

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Your challenge: This week, consider starting a compost pile for your food scraps and lawn trimmings.

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**This post is part of a weekly challenge {Go Green in 2014}, during which the author has challenged herself - and you - to find 52 ways to lead a greener life in 2014. You can follow the weekly posts on this page.**

Green Your Period With Reusable Feminine Products

Go Green in 2014: Week 13

Reusable menstrual products? Gross.

I'm sure that's what you're thinking right now. It's really not as disgusting as  you might think, though.

Because this is such a personal topic, I'll try to keep it professional. I will simply go over a couple of your reusable product options and list the pros and cons of each, as well as some tips for using them. If you're still uncomfortable, feel free to skip out on this post. I promise I won't be offended. In fact, I won't even know.

If you're still here, you're probably interested in learning more, which is a good thing. Disposable pads and tampons are not good for us or for the environment. I'm sure you can guess why they're bad for the environment. But did you know that they contain chemicals that are not at all good to use in such a sensitive area? Not only do they potentially contain "fragrances", which some of us may react to, but also other chemicals that are absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the skin.

If you experience skin (or other types of) sensitivities around that "time of the month", you might benefit from switching to reusable feminine products.

Menstrual cup

Until recently, I had never even heard of a menstrual cup. There are many different brands of cups, which are made of soft silicone. They are sort of a replacement for tampons, and are actually safer because they don't contain harmful chemicals. Plus, they catch your flow, rather than absorbing it, eliminating the risk of toxic shock syndrome.

There is a bit of a learning curve when it comes to using them, though. You definitely need to be comfortable with inserting it, which can take a while to get used to. In fact, even after a few months, I still haven't actually been able to use it for a full day.

I chose the Sckoon cup because it seemed to have the best reviews as far as comfort and not being able to feel it. They cost around $36, which isn't cheap, but it can be used for several years. You have two sizes to choose from: the smaller one is for women who haven't had a vaginal birth, and the other is slightly larger for women who have already given birth vaginally.

How to use a menstrual cup

Before using your cup, you will want to boil it for five minutes to sanitize it. Don't boil it for any longer, though. Mine came with a cloth bag for when I'm not using it.

To use, you will need to fold the cup in half with clean hands, then fold it in half again. Then insert, guiding the cup toward the small of your back. Once it is in position, you can gently twist it to make sure it opens up properly. For more detailed instructions, visit the Sckoon website.

It can be tricky to figure out because you have to keep the cup from opening before it is in place.

Menstrual cups can safely be used for up to 12 hours at a time, although you may need to empty it more frequently. Simply remove, pressing on the bottom of the cup to break the seal, and empty the contents into the toilet. Rinse your cup with hot water before re-inserting. After each cycle, it is a good idea to boil your menstrual cup in water for a few minutes and let it air dry.

Many people have had great success with the menstrual cup. And even though I haven't quite gotten used to it yet, I will definitely give the cup a try again sometime in the future.

Order yours here: SckoonCup UK

Cloth pads

I love using cloth pads, and I can't see myself ever going back to disposables. They are much more comfortable, and they don't contain irritating chemicals. Sure, it's a little more work having to wash them and try to keep them out of sight, where someone might accidentally stumble upon the stained pads. But it's totally worth it. Even though they cost a nice chunk of money initially, they will last many years and save you cash in the long run. Plus, they come in cute patterns (who cares if you're the only one who will see them?!).

Again, I decided to order from Sckoon because they use organic cotton and they seem to be made to last a long time. If you're really ambitious, you could probably make your own cloth pads for super cheap, but that seems like way too much work to me.

At first, I only ordered three pads just to see if I liked them. Then I ordered five more, and eight seems to be the perfect number for me. They come in mini, day, and night sizes, but all mine are the day size, which has worked out well.

How to use cloth pads

To use, simply set the pad on your underwear, and snap the flaps together underneath. The patterned side will be touching your underwear, with the white insert facing up (naturally, you will want to wash the inserts a couple times before the first use). I have found that I can wear a cloth pad longer than a disposable one, because as long as you aren't bleeding heavily through the layers, you can re-fold the insert once or twice before changing to a new pad. This is very handy when you're not in the comfort of your own home. Bonus: They don't make that awkward crinkling noise when you're re-folding or changing them.

After I am done using a cloth pad, I like to rinse the insert (and the pad, if needed) with cold water in the sink. Then I will place it in a bucket of cold water and cover it with a lid while it soaks. I wash all the pads after each cycle.

Order yours here: Sckoon Organic Reusable Cloth Pads

Built-in panty liners

When I placed my order for the cloth pads and menstrual cup, I decided to try Sckoon's underwear with built-in panty liners for light days. They work great, but it's probably unnecessary to spend money on new underwear that are just going to get stained - you might as well save a few pairs of old underwear for this purpose.

These are a little tight around the waist, and a little too high, as well. They do the job, but personally, I would suggest saving your money.

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**Disclosure: Although this post may contain affiliate links, all opinions are my own.

Your challenge: This week, think about greening your period and making the switch to reusable feminine products.

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**This post is part of a weekly challenge {Go Green in 2014}, during which the author has challenged herself - and you - to find 52 ways to lead a greener life in 2014. You can follow the weekly posts on this page.**

Ways to Reduce Office Waste

Go Green in 2014: Week 8

lilszeto / http://www.flickr.com/photos/mszeto/

Printing is a huge source of waste in the office, and between the paper and the ink, it can eventually start to get costly. I rarely print at home anymore, except when necessary, but at work, I have to print orders quite frequently.

Even though I try not to print any more than I need to, sometimes when printing an email, a second page will print with only a few words on it. I normally tear the extra paper into fourths and add it to my stack of scratch paper.

That stack of scratch paper can build up quickly!

This year, I have been trying to cut back on my office waste, so I have been trying harder to only print the first page. When I forget and the second page prints out, I can always add it to my stack of scratch paper.

Besides reducing printing waste, what are some other ways to go green in the office?

Ways to go green in the office

• Save energy by utilizing natural light. If given the option, position your desk near a window and open the blinds or curtains during daylight hours. Just make sure your computer screen is at a 90-degree angle to the window; if you are facing the window, you will find yourself squinting to see, and if your back is to the window, you will get a glare on the screen.
• Save heating and cooling costs by layering your clothes. I'll admit, I use a space heater at work during the winter, because I get cold easily. But at home, when I'm writing, I wear comfortable clothes and wrap up in a blanket - sometimes even in the summer. Dress for the season, but bring a sweater along, in case you get chilly.
• Start an office recycling bin. After shredding old documents, recycle them rather than tossing in the trash. And remember to recycle those plastic bottles and aluminum cans! Or, rather than using plastic water bottles, switch to a reusable glass bottle or cup for drinking water and other beverages.
• Unplug when you are done for the day. I'll admit, I am not very good at doing this yet. Before leaving for the day, consider shutting down your computer and unplugging anything that you are able, or turn off the power strip it's plugged into.
• Think before you print. Print only if you need a hard copy of something. Otherwise, save a copy in a folder on the desktop or on a flash drive, or flag emails to reference later.

Even though I have reduced my printer waste at home and in the office, there is always room for improvement. I still need to work on saving energy in the office.

What are some ways you can reduce waste in the office? How have you already gone green at work?

Easy 'Going Green' Tips for Beginners (click the link to read the article)

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Your challenge: This week, take a step toward reducing waste in the office, whether at home or at work, or both.

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**This post is part of a weekly challenge {Go Green in 2014}, during which the author has challenged herself - and you - to find 52 ways to lead a greener life in 2014. You can follow the weekly posts on this page.**

Switching to Reusable Cloth Bags for Groceries & More

Go Green in 2014: Week 5

I'll admit, it's not easy to get into the habit of bringing reusable cloth bags to the grocery store. Although we had a decent collection of cloth bags at our house, I was lazy about using them. For one, we never remembered to bring them along. It's too easy to just grab my list and run out the door.

But now that I have the motivation to start using them, I have been really trying to remember my cloth bags. I don't always remember, but our collection of plastic bags has been slowly getting smaller, so that's a good sign.

Remembering to bring your cloth bags to the store

The hardest part is remembering to bring your cloth bags to the store. If it helps, set them by the door so the next time you go out to your car, you will remember to bring them out. Then, you will have them ready the next time you need to stop for groceries. You might want to leave the bags in the front of the vehicle where you can easily remember them, at least until remembering them becomes automatic, to avoid running back out once you have started shopping.

More ways to use your reusable cloth bags

Get the most out of your cloth bags by using them for more than just groceries. I have used mine in a number of different ways:

• Crochet projects. I actually keep all my yarn in one large bag, but if I had a much larger yarn collection, I would keep only my current works-in-progress in a cloth bag to keep them all together. This is handy if you plan on crocheting while traveling.
• Pet travel supplies. Our Maltese-Yorkie, Mila, doesn't have her own duffel bag, like we do, so we keep her food and supplies in a reusable cloth bag while traveling. And by the time we return home, it is usually full of random things I have tossed in during the trip.
• Gifts. Instead of using wrapping paper or gift bags, use a (new) reusable cloth bag to "wrap" a gift.
• Dirty laundry. Rather than tossing your dirty clothes back into the suitcase with your clean laundry, place it all inside a cloth bag. When you arrive home, you can easily toss it all - including the cloth bag - into the wash.

I'll stop here, because I'm sure you get the idea. In what ways do you use your cloth bags, besides for carrying your groceries?

What can you do with those plastic or paper grocery bags?

Although I am trying to use my cloth reusable grocery bags more often, I still have a collection of plastic bags in my kitchen. They may not be the greenest option, but there are a few ways you can get more use out of them. Do you have used plastic grocery bags lying around? I have published an article at Yahoo! Voices highlighting a few ways I reuse mine. --read article--

How to do you reuse your plastic or paper grocery bags?

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Your challenge: This week, bring at least one reusable cloth bag along when you go to the grocery store. You can always bring more later, as your collection grows.

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Tip: Make sure to wash your reusable cloth bags on a regular basis to avoid getting sick from contaminated food.

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**This post is part of a weekly challenge {Go Green in 2014}, during which the author has challenged herself - and you - to find 52 ways to lead a greener life in 2014. You can follow the weekly posts on this page.**

Ways to Reduce Food Waste at Home

A few small changes that can make a large impact

After coming across this article about food waste, I started brainstorming the various ways I already avoid wasting food at home, and ways I can further reduce how much food gets thrown out.

The amount of food waste in America is shocking - approximately 40% of the national food supply is wasted every year (National Resources Defense Council). And this doesn't only occur in the homes of consumers; it happens on virtually every step of the way from the original source to your home. Not only does this mean the food itself is wasted, but also the resources used to get it from one step to the next, including water, gas, and so on.

It doesn't seem like one person can make a difference in such a widespread problem, but you actually can make a positive impact with a few small changes.

1. Buy locally

Local growers often use sustainable practices to conserve energy and reduce chemical exposure, and buying locally helps to reduce transportation costs. This is one area I need to improve upon; I can start to buy food locally by visiting farmer's markets and shopping at locally-owned stores.

Copyright: garussell11 / http://www.flickr.com/photos/garussell11/

2. Plan your weekly menu

By planning out your menu, you can make sure not to over-buy and subsequently end up with more food than you can eat. Buy enough perishables to last a week, and immediately freeze anything that you know will not be used right away. I typically buy a week's worth of groceries, although I occasionally end up with a little more produce than we can eat.

3. Use your eyes and nose

Expiration dates and "best by" dates are not set in stone. You can usually use dairy products up to a week after the sell by date. Of course, you should always use your best judgment by carefully looking over food - and smelling it - after passing its expiration date.

4. Keep leftovers

I have heard of people who don't like leftovers and throw them away, and it surprises me because we love leftovers at our house. It makes lunchtime so much easier! If you don't want to eat them right away, you can always freeze leftovers, or use them to create a whole new dish for the next meal. For example, use mashed potatoes to make Shepherd's Pie, or save leftover chicken breast to make a casserole.

5. Start composting

A few days ago, my husband and I were using our new juicer when we realized how much of the fruit and vegetables we were wasting. We will always have some type of food waste, but that doesn't mean we have to toss it into the garbage. One of my green challenges for the new year will be starting to compost in the spring, and to use the compost as a fertilizer.

Copyright: karimian / http://www.flickr.com/photos/karimian/

We don't waste much food in our house, but there is always room for improvement. I feel guilty when something goes bad, and we have to throw it in the garbage. I'm hoping by implementing a couple changes into our lives, we will be able to further reduce the amount of food waste in our home.