NPR directed me to a cool website that I’ve now joined. It is www.catalogchoice.org, and it’s a totally free site that allows you to opt out of receiving catalogues in the mail. (Is it catalog or catalogue?) I can’t tell you the last time I ordered something from a catalog – if anything, I would look for an item online. For us, the catalogs are a huge temptation that is sometimes painful to avoid (O Pottery Barn, how I wish I could win a shopping spree – O West Elm, Thy stuff is cute but unnecessary, alas). They are also, of course, a strain on the environment. A waste of paper, trees, energy to create them, etc, and we just toss them immediately into the recycle bin upon receipt. So I love that I can opt out and save both the merchants and the forests all that trouble.
Anyway, I’m spreading the gospel of catalog choice. You can enter in your name as many ways as it comes – so far I’ve had to cancel catalogs to (I’m faking the last names here) Gillian Edwards, Mrs. Gillian Edwards, Mrs. Gillian G. Edwards, Mrs. Gillian G. Wilson, Miss Jill Wilson, Mrs. Gillian W. Edwards, etc. etc. I’ve also cancelled in Patrick’s name(s) as well.
Also, in the interest of following my one New Year’s Resolution (to use less plastic grocery bags), I did a naughty thing. We have no with a capital N money for extras right now, BUT the Chico Bag was only $5. It’s tiny, it will fit in my handbag, and I’ll never forget to bring my reusables into the grocery again. Is the theory. SO I bought two, one green and one red, and I PROMISE that is my last impulse purchase for myself. I have cut a hole in our wallet, inserted a funnel, and stuck into my baby registry, and that is how things will stay, on my honor.
Any other eco-friendly little practices anyone knows about? MSO Rin, I’ll have you know that I still carry that neon pink foil-lined lunch bag to and from work EVERY DAY, and have done since you gave it to me about four years ago. It still keeps my hot things hot and my cold things cold, and it’s been keeping me in lunches all this time. 😉
Our grocery store sells reusable bags for $2. I had planned on purchasing a couple when they first came out but as I was waiting in line I saw a man buy two and somehow the bagger still managed to need to use plastic bags!
Weaver Street\’s canvas bags are really cheap; they\’re only 5 bucks, and one of them holds a ton of stuff. Of course, the actual groceries at Weaver Street are the polar opposite of cheap. Actually, they\’re not that bad, but the meat is outrageously expensive.
I love that you are going eco-friendly. I think that is a GREAT resolution!! :)I am just blog walking, saying hi. 🙂 I miss you guys. It\’s been awhile and I hope you and your little belly are doing good. 🙂 HUGS!!
i bought some reuseable bags from my grocery store too…it truely is a great idea…
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I just heard about this site on the Today show last week and I immediately got online and opted out of every magazine we get! The sheer amount of wasted paper is ridiculous! The temptation is what kills me though.
Glad to see that you are moving in a more eco-friendly direction. I\’ve been trying really hard to remember to take our paper grocery bags back to the store when I go so that we can re-use them. That\’s my start in the direction of being eco-friendly.
Amanda 🙂
Here is my eco-friendly tip for the day (let\’s hope this one lasts four years, too!).
STOP and DESIST and BOYCOTT the purchase of even ONE bottled water. If you need water at work, use a glass or a mug or a water fountain. If you need water at the gym, buy a Nalgene. Heck, I\’ve got a garage full of \’em and I\’ll give you one if you tell me you need one. Do whatever floats your boat, but DO NOT buy a bottle of water. EVER. http://www.allaboutwater.org/environment.html