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It’s time for another green challenge here at Crunchy Domestic Goddess. I was thrilled with the participation in the 5-minute “Quickie” shower challenge over the summer and I hope we can do even better this time around!
For two months, September and October, I’m challenging you to Ditch the Disposables! We live in a society of convenience, where throw-away products are the norm rather than the exception. But all of the disposable products take resources and energy to produce and then, of course, get thrown away, filling up our landfills. All of this is bad news for the environment.
If you’d like to participate in this challenge, please select one or two (or more! - this can be as challenging as you want it to be) of your disposable products to ditch*, then leave a comment saying which disposable product(s) you will leave behind for two months in favor of an environmentally-friendly reusable product. Like in the last challenge, I will create a list in the sidebar linking to everyone’s blog. Of course, you don’t have to have a blog to participate. I realize that many of you probably are already living without some (many?) of these disposable products, but certainly nearly all of us can find at least one NEW thing we can give up in favor of something better for the earth. I’ll let ya know what I’m giving up in the comments soon.
Here are some ideas to get you started…
You can make the switch from:
- Paper napkins to cloth napkins
- Paper towels to cloth towels
- Tissues to handkerchiefs
- Paper, plastic or Styrofoam plates to your kitchen plates
- Inexpensive plastic “Take & Toss” sippy cups to Sigg or Camelbak bottles or the Kleen Kanteen
- Disposable water bottles to (again) reusable bottles like Sigg or Camelbak
- Plastic sandwich bags or paper lunch bags to reusable containers/bags
- Swiffers (or similar products) to a broom and dustpan or mop (or use reusable cloths like cloth diapers/terry inserts in your Swiffer)
- Disposable dust rags to cloth rags
- Disposable diapers to cloth diapers
- Disposable wipes to cloth wipes (inexpensive plain washcloths work really well)
- Disposable feminine products (tampons, pads) to reusables like DivaCup, MoonCup, Glad Rags, Luna Pads, Pretty Pads, or New Moon Pads, among others
- Grocery store bags to reusable bags
Or, for the really adventurous:
- Toilet paper to cloth wipes/washcloths (for #1 or #2 too if you are really, really adventurous)
Please feel free to spread the word about the challenge on your blog by adding the button linking back to this post. If you have other ideas for disposable products people can ditch, please let me know and I’ll add them to the list. Thanks and good luck!
I’ll host a few check in posts (every other Sunday if I can remember) throughout the two months so everyone can stop by and say how they are doing, and offer support and/or tips to others as well. Together we can Ditch the Disposables!
*When I say “ditch,” please know that I don’t mean throw them away. I want you to try making a lifestyle change from a disposable product you use regularly. If you want to save your disposables until the challenge is over, that’s your prerogative. You might also consider Freecycling them or donating them to a local charitable organization. I do suggest that whichever product(s) you choose to give up, you pack away until the challenge is over, lest you be tempted to use it/them.
Edited to add: For help kicking the paper towels habit, check out my post on SKOY cloths (with a giveaway).
Stumble it!
Holly says:
I ditched my disposable pads and tampons a while back and I think it was one of the best choices I have ever made. I used to get very frequent urinary tract infections and have also had a run in with kidney problems, which is said to make UTIs a lot more frequent. However, the month after switching from standard pads and tampons and to LunaPads cloth pads and Instead softcups (tampon alternative) the frequency of said UTIs dropped a bit. I still get them, sure, but every 6 to 8 months definitely beats every month or every other month and after doing some research, I found out why. Not only do standard pads and tampons fill up landfills and are generally bad for the environment, they also contains very harsh chemicals, synthetic fibers and bleach which are horrible for your reproductive organs. As soon as I stopped putting these chemicals, synthetic fibers and bleach against and inside myself, a lot of my reproductive-related problems seemed to diminish quickly and I am SO glad that I made the switch!
Does this count as actively participating in the green challenge? Ha.
Other resources for reusable menstrual products besides what you’ve covered are of course, LunaPads, especially since those chicks rule and also natural sea sponge tampons, Pretty Pads and Moon Pads. I’m sure I’m missing some, but wanted to add to your list for some variety in price and also in cute fabrics–Because what are cloth pads without cute fabrics?
August 31st, 2008 at 11:00 pm
Summer says:
A great challenge! Now I’ve got to try to figure out something to give away. We already use most of the things on your list instead of disposable stuff.
To anyone worried about doing this: You can do it! It’s not that hard once you get past the familiarity of using disposable products. And it’s a lot cheaper. :)
August 31st, 2008 at 11:12 pm
Tricia says:
Just wanted to share that for my swiffers (vac and regular) I use prefolds or the terry inserts from my pocket diapers instead of the disposable sheets intended for them. Works great!
August 31st, 2008 at 11:17 pm
Krista says:
Well, seeing as we already do most of the disposable things on your list… maybe this will help me get my rear in gear and finish those last few baby wipes I was making. Wonder how the hubby will like using re-usable wipes…
August 31st, 2008 at 11:36 pm
another Krista says:
well, we’ve been considering a couple of these changes for awhile, since we’ve already ditched things like Swiffers and disposable rags.
i’m purchasing a Diva cup (or one of the similiar products) shortly, and i’ve been thinking about making cloth napkins for awhile now - this challenge is the perfect time to do something about it!
September 1st, 2008 at 5:16 am
Adventures In Babywearing says:
We use cloth napkins and need to try harder at our other disposable use. I am still not a cloth diaper recruit, but do use Seventh Generation products for all our disposables. And I do use The Keeper!
Steph
September 1st, 2008 at 6:06 am
Jenny says:
Cool!!! I am already halfway done with the list. I think I will do the handkerchiefs instead of tissues (and the paper towels, since we were already working on that anyways). Just think, I could make some cute patterned hankies out of fabric I already have. Fun! I would do the TP, but my husband would think I’d gone cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs.
September 1st, 2008 at 6:15 am
Linda says:
I already do quite a few things on this list, although I’m only halfway there on the feminine products. I bought a Diva Cup and I’m contemplating the cloth, but I’ve got a while before I have to make a decision since I’m pregnant again.
I think I’m going to attempt the switch from paper towels to cloth.
September 1st, 2008 at 6:25 am
tabitha says:
I purchased a moon cup and this will be the first time using it. Also, I am making reusable pads. I’m tired of buying disposable and have to do laundry anyway.
I’m trying to get away from using our disposable diapers since we are in the process of potty-training. I can’t justify buying cloth diapers when we are at the last of what we already have.
This is a great challenge and it will be interesting to see how well I do!
September 1st, 2008 at 9:00 am
TopHat says:
I’m in! I think we’re going to get rid of the paper towels- I’ve been trying to do this for a long time, but DH loves them. But for our anniversary, we’re getting each other Kleen Kanteens- well, actually the variety the local health food store has- cuts back on shipping pollution!
And I’d do the feminine products, except I’m period-less due to breastfeeding.
September 1st, 2008 at 10:36 am
Lisa says:
I can’t ditch tissues or Disposable feminine products will do everything else. I do use biodegradable and natural feminine products.
September 1st, 2008 at 10:45 am
Abbie says:
I’ve already ditched paper towels for microfiber cloths, and we use cloth napkins at home, usually. This challenge will be the extra push I need to bring this to work!
I’ll start packing a cloth napkin instead of grabbing a paper towel at lunch time, and I’ll skip disposables like sandwich bags in favor of reusable containers! Yay!
Great challenge!
September 1st, 2008 at 12:37 pm
mommy bee says:
On your whole list (yes, even the TP) I do them all…the only disposable stuff I have in my house really is paper towels, which are used ONLY for putting under greasy foods like bacon. I ran out of paper towels last spring and tried just using a washcloth for the grease for a couple of months…but I didn’t want to put the grease in with the regular clothes, nor did I want to put it in with the rags/diapers (get grease in the dipes)…I just couldn’t find a good solution. So for that ONE thing, yeah, I use disposable.
I’ll do ya one up: I also use cloth gift bags! (I sell them too, you can see them at http://BrightBlack.etsy.com)
September 1st, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Tanya says:
I already do a bunch of these, like Diva (best idea ever!). I can’t see ditching tissues yet because I use them for bird droppings. Maybe next time I’ll ditch tissues AND toilet paper and be very hard-core :)
When I mop (rarely) its with a washcloth or towel under my foot, and some vinegar solution. I find both real mops and swiffers to be annoying.
Anyway, the thing I will give up is paper towels. I bought some new kitchen towels a few weeks ago, and a pack of microfiber shop rags that work great too.I’m on my last roll of paper towels, so it should be easy.
September 1st, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Hestial says:
I’d like to join in! We’re already doing a lot of things on this list, but I’ll sign up for the following:
- Tissues to handkerchiefs (I only do this sometimes, and when I can’t find my handkerchief I don’t worry about it)
- Disposable feminine products to reusables (this is going to be SO hard for me…)
Thanks for hosting another great challenge :D
September 1st, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Katie says:
We’re on board so far with everything except the toilet wipes. (And the kids’ items, since we don’t have any yet.) We’ve actually done it in a pinch, when we were out of toilet paper, and it was surprisingly not that bad. Maybe this is just the nudge we need to do it full-time!
September 1st, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Miriam says:
I am pleased to say that I can only ditch the TP. When the girls are PL’d I plan on switching back to family cloth. I use cloth wipes for my nose.
I do buy paper towels and napkins as an occasional treat for dh. I guess he won’t be getting any more for a while! LOL
September 1st, 2008 at 5:40 pm
Berry says:
I’ve pretty much already switched (while at home, anyway) from paper tissues to using handkerchiefs or cloth wipes, and paper towels to cloth napkins. We also use cloth diapers and wipes, and cloth grocery bags instead of plastic. For this challenge, I’m going to go whole-hog and refuse to use paper towels at all (ok, maybe I’ll use them for pet vomit, but that’s about it, ok?) I’ll also stop using my “swiffer” wipes (even though I reuse them a million times before chucking them out) and will use prefold diapers in their place and cloth wipes for dusting.
I’ve been toying with the idea of going to “family cloth”, as in, no more toilet paper…but I’m still trying to work out the logistics of that one. I’d have to make up a bunch of wipes for specific use, get a bucket for them to be stored in after use, and wash them separately, I’m thinking. In hot water, obviously. Maybe this challenge will be the nudge I need to get going on this. I’m thinking a dark flannel cloth, maybe?
September 1st, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Mrs. Bubba says:
I would love to join this challenge and give up using paper towels. We go through a lot of them in this house and I have a drawer full of kitchen towels that I’d rather use. I also want to remember to always bring my reusable bags to the grocery store, I have many of them but forget them at home or in the trunk of the car. Thanks for the challenge!
September 1st, 2008 at 10:49 pm
Crunchy Domestic Goddess (Amy) says:
I’m so glad to see some of you are interested in participating and that many of you are already doing some (or all) of these things. That rocks!
I’m going to be adding the participants to the list in my sidebar tomorrow evening. I expect to be without internet most of the day tomorrow as my cable equipment is upgraded. I didn’t ask to be upgraded, but Comcast has deemed it necessary. Anyway, it will give me a good reason to leave the computer off and enjoy Ava’s last day home before preschool starts back up on Wednesday.
I’m still trying to figure out exactly what I’m going to give up for the challenge. I’ll be in touch about that too.
Amy
Crunchy Domestic Goddess
September 1st, 2008 at 11:25 pm
A Mama's Blog (Heather) says:
I’ve decided to scrap the plastic bags for snacks and lunches and make the commitment to use the countless plastic and glass storage containers I have.
September 2nd, 2008 at 12:28 am
Stephanie says:
Great challenge! We already use cloth diapers, cloth dust rags, reusable water bottles and cloth grocery bags, and I myself use cloth menstrual pads, but I’m going to try 2 new ones:
1. handkerchiefs instead of tissues
2. cloth diapers instead of Swiffer cloths
Thanks for the great ideas! I’ll be blogging on this soon.
September 2nd, 2008 at 2:57 am
The pleasures of homemaking says:
We’ve been using Sigg bottles for a while now, also reusable grocery bags and cloth dust rags. I’d love to join this challenge and switch to cloth napkins. I have quite a few and we use them occassionally, but I’d like to make a permanent switch.
Manuela
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:03 am
Kick The Sposies To The Curb » Wired For Noise says:
[...] encourage people to be ore green and eco-friendly. Her latest one, that you should all join, is to kick the disposable stuff habbit. Paper towels, paper plates, disposable diapers, or what ever use it and trash it thing [...]
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:22 am
TennZen says:
Count me in - I will ditch the paper napkins, even though I have been composting them instead of throwing them in the trash. Cloth napkins would save money, too. Thanks for the challenge!
September 2nd, 2008 at 9:12 am
Ellie says:
I’m in. We already do many things on your list, and I’m planning on making cloth napkins and making that switch soon. I’ll take on your challenge with one thing I didn’t see listed- disposable coffee cups. I’m determined to bring my travel mug with me when I hit the starbucks downstairs from where I work, and when we take our walks there on the weekends.
Thanks for the challenge, I’m going to post about it on my blog.
September 2nd, 2008 at 9:31 am
Judith Roenke says:
check on the: cloth napkins, reusable grocery bags, water bottles (except hurricane kit), microfiber dust rags (me, not hubby yet), thermos/reusable baby dishes. Plan: finish making cloth coffee jackets (its a step in the right direction), really need to suck it up and invest in cloth diapers (brand?), interesting idea on cloth swiffers - will try it, finish making hankies for baby from old flannel sheet. Right now uncofortable with cloth wipes for my butt (and that whole pee on your veggie garden thing y’all did. maybe someday.)
September 2nd, 2008 at 9:56 am
Mama Rissa says:
This is great!
I am a committed-and-loving-it cloth diaper and wipes user - and actually, for a while, I was only using specially made cloth wipes from the company that makes the cloth diapers we use. Then, it occurred to me that I have so many washcloths that I NEVER use - and they can now be used for additional wipes! I’ve completely crossed disposable wipes off the list. I absolutely love it.
Yesterday, it also occurred to me that we had run out of paper towels. Money is a bit tight right now and I didn’t have the time to run to the store anyway - so I used some old hand towels to clean the bathroom. The results were amazing and I just tossed them in the wash when I finished. I’m so excited to have encouragement to ditch the paper towels completely now!
I think I’ll go ahead and make some hankies, too. I have a lot of scrap fabric that will work very well.
And, lastly, I am in the process of switching to homemade cloth pads! I have only made a few so far but they’re SO comfortable, SO soft, SO pretty, and SO much cheaper!
So, all that to say - COUNT ME IN! :)
September 2nd, 2008 at 11:18 am
chelle says:
Oo you are definitely raising the bar on your challenges.
September 2nd, 2008 at 11:25 am
Ditch the Disposables « Mama Rissa’s Corner says:
[...] 2, 2008 by mamarissa I just found out about a Ditch the Disposables Challenge (thanks, Jenny!) on Crunchy Domestic Goddess! I’m excited to participate in this challenge [...]
September 2nd, 2008 at 11:35 am
Meryl says:
Count me in too. We’ve already stopped using or drastically reduced our consumption of many things on your list, but I think I’m going to try to switch to cloth hankies.
September 2nd, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Donna at Blessed Nest says:
Oh count me in. I don’t use half of the items on the list but need to step it up a bit..I will try to come close to no disposables at all but the challenge Paper Towels. I know confession time. Does it count it they are recycled? I know the answer, I need to drop them completely. I will post this week
September 2nd, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Kellie says:
Holy crunchy! I was surprised to go down the list saying “Check, yes, done, did that…” I have been planning to ditch the swiffer pads and use a cloth instead but was given a pack of them for free and just haven’t used them up yet. Anyway, that is definitely on my list.
I’ll also commit to ditching zip lock bags and plastic wrap. Again, I have 8 kabillion boxes of them because everyone that comes into my home seems to bring them with. So bizarre…I refuse to buy them, yet they still magically appear.
Sign me up! :)
September 2nd, 2008 at 12:26 pm
erica says:
I only use paper towels any more, but I use them to clean up cat puke after years of rinsing it out of rags so I will just keep doing what I’m doing and say “sorry about the paper towels, earth!”. (I like to think it’s offset because I buy most of my foods - including cooking liquids - in bulk so I don’t have nearly as much waste as I used to).
September 2nd, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Condo Blues says:
Hmm…this one’s a toughie for me because I do most of the stuff on the list already except for diapers and sippy cups because my kid is a dog. :) However, he does have his own reusable doggie water bottle that has a drinking bowl already attached to it. I have a small army of reusable water bottles for myself.
I’m going to go with using hankies instead of disposable tissues. It’s ragweed season in Ohio and with my allergies, this one will be a challange.
September 2nd, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Condo Blues says:
Hmm…this one’s a toughie for me because I do most of the stuff on the list already except for diapers and sippy cups because my kid is a dog. :) However, he does have his own reusable doggie water bottle that has a drinking bowl already attached to it. I have a small army of reusable water bottles for myself.
I’m going to go with using hankies instead of disposable tissues. It’s ragweed season in Ohio and with my allergies, this one will be a challange.
September 2nd, 2008 at 2:29 pm
» Ditch the Disposables Green Me: Healthy and Green by the Day says:
[...] the months of September and October the Green Me Family will be joining the Crunchy Domestic Goddess and many others in the blogosphere by ditching the disposables. Disposable products are one of the [...]
September 2nd, 2008 at 4:40 pm
suzannah says:
we’ll ditch the paper towels. this was just the nudge we needed to do something i’ve been considering for a bit…thanks!
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:38 pm
Julie says:
Oh yeah, I’m up to the challenge! We already do a lot of this, so I’m going for the “adventurous” category and giving up disposable razors and paper feminine products for the challenge (and beyond, I hope).
You can read about my first sugaring experience here: http://chezartz.com/?p=352
Great challenge CDG!
September 2nd, 2008 at 10:26 pm
phyllis says:
great challenge. i’m proud to say we do almost everything on your list.
i can’t do the cloth diaper thing, it’s just not gonna fly with my husband. or the toilet wipes.
i think the only husband-accepted thing left on the list for me is the handkerchiefs from tissues. so i’ll work on that. we still use paper towels occasionally but mostly towels. we use all cloth napkins now, and reusable grocery bags. i’m also trying to cut down on my ziploc bag use…i’ll add that into my challenge:-)
thanks for “stretching” me!
September 2nd, 2008 at 10:42 pm
phyllis says:
p.s. i bought a bunch of really cute, inexpensive cloth napkins from a great etsy site, gnome clothes. it got me kickstarted, then i found a bunch on clearance at cost-plus. once i got over the “need to match” it was easy.
September 2nd, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Ami (Writing: My Life) says:
I’ve given up (for the most part) many disposables, but I’ve been having some difficulty giving up paper plates for a while now. This seems to be the perfect time to take the plunge and while I don’t use them every day, I definitely use them more than necessary. Sign me up!
September 3rd, 2008 at 8:44 am
Stephanie says:
Well out of your list I only have two left, tissues and toilet paper, and I am not giving up the toilet paper, at least it is recycled right? I will switch to handkerchiefs for my nose!
September 3rd, 2008 at 12:19 pm
» Reusable Camping Tin to the Rescue! Green Me: Healthy and Green by the Day says:
[...] so I was inclined to cancel, but hesitant to do so, when I realized that Chinese take-out and the Ditch the Disposables Challenge would just not [...]
September 3rd, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Maria says:
OK. I am in– ditching paper towels, napkins, etc with 1 exception– tailgates. I will not be bringing my own cloth napkin and glass plate to a tailgate. Sorry.
It was hard for me to decide, because I already Diva, cloth at home (daycare won’t take cloth), use Sigg, kid gets sigg or a bpa-free sippy, we use our take and toss over and over and over again, bring our own bags, etc etc. Plus it is football season. LOL!
I’ll get the post on my blog by the end of the weekend. Sorry for the delay. I really wanted to make a commitment I could keep!
September 3rd, 2008 at 7:43 pm
Rivster says:
Yes, sign me right up!!
I have started using reusable contained in lieu of ziploc bags in the the lunches. It is hard but I know that it is good!!!
Been pretty good about bringing bags…must.get.better.
My big, bad sin?? Water bottles. So that is gonna be my big thing.
September 3rd, 2008 at 11:16 pm
Solorn says:
Count me in. Perhaps it will motivate me to get off my rear and finally make those cloth pads I’ve been procrastinating about for months! I already do a fair amount of whats on that list but every little step helps.
September 4th, 2008 at 2:25 am
Content and Busy | Creative Thoughts says:
[...] add just one more thing to my ever growing list of challenges, I am going to attempt to Ditch the Disposables! A challenge from the uber talented Crunchy Domestic Goddess. You can make the switch [...]
September 4th, 2008 at 9:05 am
Lisa says:
I’m in! I already cloth diaper, so I think I will start using family cloth for me (for #1) and stop buying those evil plastic bottles of water and start using my siggs again. I’ve gotten so lax about both lately!
September 4th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
CanCan (Mom Most Traveled) says:
Hubby and I are both teachers, and we started using waste paper (like old worksheets headed to the trash) from our classes to drain greasy foods on. We were already using cloth napkins but the waste paper concept has helped us be papertowel free.
I’m a little wary to use newspaper, and anyway, we don’t subscribe to the paper…
September 4th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Monique says:
We’re going to give up zip lock bags and paper towels, as well as begin to take reusable cloth bags with us to the store. I’m excited!
September 4th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Angelina says:
We do most of those things. But some of them we slack on from time to time, like grocery bags (use to use them for garbage). Hubby will not go for cloth instead of toilet paper but I will! I use to do that in the past and find you get a much cleaner wipe! :-)
September 4th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Be More Green « Plath’s Adventures says:
[...] More Green In an effort to be more green, I joined the Ditch the Disposables Challenge for September and October. I’m planning on (once again) making the switch from plastic [...]
September 5th, 2008 at 6:23 am
Monique says:
Quick question: how do you separate and store meat in the freezer without ziplock bags? I’m a vegetarian, but my husband won’t go without his meat … I just don’t know how to store it without baggies. Help!
September 5th, 2008 at 10:23 am
Angie says:
I’m in for all mentioned except for the very last one(we’re not quite there yet, and don’t know if we ever will be!). We do most of these, but there are a couple I’d like for focus on. Seems I have been a bit lazy and reached for the roll of paper towells we have for “emergencys”(cat barf and the like) when I could grab a cloth. Also, I have a leftover box of sandwich bags that I have been using for dd’s lunches. That must stop as well!
September 5th, 2008 at 10:58 am
Michelle says:
I’m joining too. Gonna blog about it on Monday.
September 5th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Barbara says:
We’ve been doing pretty well on this front, but there are a couple of things I’m lagging on: paper towels (don’t use them a lot, but this will help me go cold turkey) and plastic sandwich bags.
September 5th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
Jennie says:
Gradually over time I’ve been doing some things - like reusable grocery bags, and a few months ago got a divacup (love it!). When I read about the challenge, I didn’t really think there was much I could do here at my in-laws. But I also hardly ever use napkins. So when my husband asked for a napkin this morning, I thought about it, and grabbed one of his old t-shirts, and cut it up for him to use as a napkin. So I’m really excited to participate!
September 5th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Tara @ Feels like home says:
I’m writing a post about this now. It’s such a great idea!
We’re already using a lot of things that replace disposables, but an old habit dying hard has been plastic ware in my lunch bag at work. I’m going to try using our regular silverware. After all, I don’t lose my lunch bag, so I shouldn’t lose my utensils, either.
I’ve been thinking about a Diva Cup, too, but I’m not sure I’ll be able to do that for the challenge.
September 6th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
dgoddess says:
Count me in. Coincidentally, I have a post scheduled for Monday about waste-free lunches.
September 7th, 2008 at 12:02 am
Steph Luk. says:
Hey sign me up! I missed the last challenge ((though I am going to try for five minute showers anyway)) So I think this would be good to try even if it’s just for fun!
Yet I’mn going to give up a few things.
Tissues-handcherchiefs ((I’ve got those on hand so I may as well use them.))
Paper towels to cloth towels ((That won’t be to hard since I use them for cleaning mirrors,but I think a good sham would work for that))
Plastic sandwich bags or paper lunch bags to reusable containers/bags((Saves me a few dollars there!))
Disposable feminine products((Yay another money saver!))
And I thought that everyone should know that you can reuse bounce sheets ((those static cling things you put in the dryer)) a few times before throing them out.Maybe it helps some people?
I’ll keep everyone posted on this too.
Save the future and peace out!
September 7th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Michelle says:
Could you give me the html code (on my blog comments, please) so it links back to your site? I mean, for the little square thingy for the challenge. I”m good at computers huh?
September 8th, 2008 at 7:11 am
Carolyn says:
Count me in! I’m not going to use disposable grocery bags for the rest of September and the month of October. Yikes! What a commitment!
September 8th, 2008 at 10:12 am
Fern says:
We’ve done a lot of these already, and I was just casting about for my next eco-friendly step. I’m going to replace the purse pack tissues my 3 y.o. goes through like crazy with a handkerchief. It’s a small step, but as we’ve switched to cloth grocery bags, rags instead of paper towels, buying water to refilling our Siggs, etc., I’ve learned that every change matters.
Sorry, I’m just not brave enough to ditch the toilet paper!
September 8th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
erika says:
oh, i will surely be much better at this challenge than the 5 minute shower challenge (i really, really tried!!) i have actually already ditched the disposables in our home for the most part. i was still pretty bad about plastic water bottles but i recently bought a couple sigg bottles so those have made a big difference :)
September 8th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
Halo says:
i’m going to give it a shot. i already use cloth diapers or biodegradable diapers and wash rags for baby wipes (most of the time). i don’t need feminine products yet. we use cloth towels instead of paper towels.
i’m thinking i can use some of the flannel cloths i originally bought for baby wipes (but are really kind of too small for that purpose) in place of the puffs.
and i will make a concerted effort to return to cloth dust rags.
i’d like to go with cloth napkins, but it would require buying a few more. plus, the ones i have are so thick. i’d like to find a good fabric that launders well and isn’t too thick to make my own.
i have to say this, though. i live in a desert. water is a precious resource here. so am i really doing *my* environment a favor with all of the increased laundry? part of the reason why i still use some disposable diapers (they are biodegradable) and don’t feel the slightest twinge about it is because i think mitigating the damage to any one particular area is the best policy. you can’t just say “get rid of all disposables” without there being some trade off. simply being alive makes an impact.
p.s. i am under the impression that most water treatment facilities (aka, sewage plants) actually incinerate the waste they generate. items flushed down the loo does not go straight to the landfill.
September 9th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
Billie says:
We already do a few things like using dishcloths instead of paper towel, coolers instead of lunch bags and placemats instead of paper towels for quick meals in which I don’t have to have to deal with dishes.
I can’t say I can commit to a lot of changes but I will commit to using reusable bags instead of plastic bags for purchases. I have been thinking strongly on this already and have placed some of my reusable totes in the car this last week.
Lets see how I do.
Billie
September 10th, 2008 at 7:01 am
Jim says:
It’s a good idea! Since I’ve already replaced “college Kleenex” with cotton hankies, and am in the process of replacing plastic grocery bags with string bags, I guess I’ll officially aim at napkins and towels (paper to cloth)….
(BTW, just in case you don’t know, “college Kleenex” is toilet paper.)
September 10th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Donna at Blessed Nest says:
Hi Amy- I posted today and have by button on the side bar…thanks again for adding my name to your list. Accountability is good..LOL no really
http://www.blessednestperch.com/home-at-blessed-nest/2008/9/10/time-for-a-green-challenge-ditch-your-disposables.html
September 10th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Mama says:
I love this challenge! I already ditched the papertowels and napkins, water bottles and grocery bags though!I think I will go for the ditching of tissues for handkerchiefs and the disposable feminine products. Been wanting to do this one…but needed the challenge to “get to it”! Thanks!
September 10th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
SKOY eco-friendly cloths instead of paper towels (giveaway) | Crunchy Domestic Goddess says:
[...] Mama: I love this challenge! I already ditched the papertowels and napkins, water bottles and grocery bags though!I think I will go for the… [...]
September 11th, 2008 at 1:20 am
Katie says:
I will give up paper napkins and paper towels. I’m even going to try to get my husband to hang a clothesline so when I dry my reusable cloths I won’t be using the dryer!
September 11th, 2008 at 3:13 am
Elizabeth M. says:
I’ll give up disposable water bottles and use my Sigg all the time. I’ll convert to cloth napkins and stop using paper plates.
September 11th, 2008 at 3:56 am
Stephanie says:
Finally got my post up: http://speechact.blogspot.com/2008/09/ditch-disposables.html
September 11th, 2008 at 5:18 am
Christine says:
I am a new housewife, trying to do the earth, ourselves and our pocketbooks some good. A great challenge you have set out, we already do most of the things on your list, I am proud to say! I would agree with the previous post, that one of the best switches I have made is from main stream disposable feminine hygiene products to the re-usable Lunette menstrual cup and Lunette cloth pads. A daring switch for first-timers, but once you make the switch, you will never go back. I also have decided to use vinegar and baking soda as all-purpose cleaners & disinfectant, along with the micro-fibre cloths. Google it for an abundance of recipes and to get rid of chemicals in your house.
Thanks for the great challenge and for making our homes more earth-friendly!
September 11th, 2008 at 5:27 am
Anna at Hank and WIllie says:
I’m in! I’d love to kick the paper towel habit. It seems the hardest one to break here.
September 11th, 2008 at 6:16 am
annie says:
I’m pretty good on most of this list. I recommend Joyful Living for mama cloth–they are better than Lunapads, my former favorite. I’d like to switch us to handkerchiefs, b/c that’s basically what’s left.
September 11th, 2008 at 6:18 am
rixa says:
I already to cloth diapers, and a lot of these things I don’t do either way. (Napkins? who needs napkins? LOL) I would like to do cloth TP for #1, since I’m already washing diapers. Which is a good reason to run to a thrift store for old T-shirts….
September 11th, 2008 at 8:05 am
ColleenM says:
Since school has started we have ditched plastic baggies and even brown bags in favor of reuseable containers and lunch bags. Next up for us is getting rid of napkins and paper towels.
September 11th, 2008 at 8:24 am
InTheFastLane says:
I already do many of those things…not ready for the toilet paper one. YIKES! But, I can use cloth napkins and towels instead of paper.
September 11th, 2008 at 8:25 am
Ginny says:
I have to be honest, I won’t do the tp. I will try everything else though! I got a great deal on some cloth napkins, so I’ve already been working on that. I switched to the Diva cup about 6 months ago, so good on that. I need to get better with paper towel & paper plates though, so that will be my biggest challenge :)
September 11th, 2008 at 8:48 am
Jennifer Nguyen says:
We have ditched paper towels and our paper plates. I already use cloth diapers for cleaning and hand towels in the kitchen.
One hard thing for us to give up is the paper plates! I have been doing very good with that actually.
TP i am not so sure about though!!!
September 11th, 2008 at 8:58 am
Wendy says:
This is great - we have started cutting down on our disposable use and have eliminated a few things, including:
Paper napkins to cloth napkins
Paper plates to kitchen plates
Bought Sigg bottles
Disposable dust rags to cloth rags
Grocery store bags to reusable bags
September 11th, 2008 at 9:43 am
PsychMamma says:
Great challenge!
We’ve already switched to cloth napkins, never use paper plates, only use reusable water bottles (Sigg, Foogo, & Camelbak), and always use reusable shopping bags.
I’m going to pledge to give up my Swiffer duster (sniff, sniff) and I’m switching to a Diva Cup.
September 11th, 2008 at 9:52 am
Pam says:
I’ve been using olds towel with my Swiffer for a while now, not the disposable items. I like that I’m being ‘green’, but I’m also saving a ton of money. Now I’m going to work on using washable rags instead of paper towels. I have plenty of them, time to start!
September 11th, 2008 at 9:59 am
Lori in Denver says:
I’m giving up water bottles (got us each a Camelback) and plastic bags. Instead, I’m using all those fabric bags we get and conferences, and keeping ‘em in my car.
You’ve given many more good ideas to consider!
September 11th, 2008 at 10:29 am
Karen says:
I am really trying to use dishcloths instead of paper towels. I’m not succeeding quite as well as I would like because I still have paper towels in the house, but I am determined not to buy any more once those are gone.
September 11th, 2008 at 11:53 am
Linsey Knerl says:
We ditched paper towels awhile back. They were so costly! I also replaced our flushable toilet wipes with a foaming cleanser called Aahh… works well for potty trainers! Love this challenge!
September 11th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Andrea says:
I just tried the Diva this last cycle and love it. We are also slowly making the switch to cloth diapers. We pretty much do all the rest on the list minus the kleenex and tp.
September 11th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
MaryLea says:
My family is up for the challenge. Can’t give up the toilet paper or diapers but we’re switching just about everything else. My daughter loves taking the cloth napkins in her lunch box to school and has started a little following with her little table mates!
September 11th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Lauren says:
I have switched many of these items, but I can do better. I promise to rationalize the occasional paper towel less often.
As for a new challenge, I will switch from disposable to reusable panty liners.
September 11th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
HeatherY says:
I finally collected enough canvas bags to give up plastic grocery bags. This will give me even more incentive to stick with it. Also, I’ll give up the take and tosses and plastic water bottles. What a great challenge!
September 11th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Katie says:
I have switched from plastic grocery bags to reusable ones, and I have ditched disposable water bottles for my reusable one. I would like my next big switch to be from paper towels to reusable cloths…the hard part is convincing my husband we don’t need paper towels anymore!
September 11th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
Justine says:
I am ditching diposable plastic water bottles for a Sigg Wate bottle, and using cloth napkins/paper towels, and not using paper plates.
September 11th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
DeAnna says:
You can imagine that as a jewelry artist I could certianly use my share of paper towels. I am more and more focused on going green in so many other business practices and this something on my list to improve on. Even though I use recycled PT’s my local recycle facility does not recycle the ones I use (so that does not fix my problem). These would be great for my business and cleaning up after my 2 year old. Thanks for sharing!
September 11th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Colleen - Mommy Always Wins says:
Ooh - I’m SO IN on this one! I *just* made the complete switch from disposables to cloth diapers and I’ve been working to completely rid myself of paper towels. (If I could just get my hubby to bring home the sandwhich-sized tupperware containers, we’d be golden!!!)
September 11th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Shawnee says:
Great Ideas! I’ve been doing most of them, just so hard to talk hubby into cloth diapers!!!
September 11th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
Victoria says:
I have been wanting to make leap from paper towels to cloth. I don’t know why I have been telling myself I’ll do it, but I haven’t yet bought a nice stack of cloth ones yet. This will definitely give me some incentive finally to jump over officially. I also want to give up plastic bags and use reusable sandwich bags. We use cloth diapers and wipes already, Sigg water bottles, Mama cloth, and paper napkins. It feels really good to try an leave this place a little better than I found it and to reduce my footprint on the Earth. I hope to instill these practices and a love foe Earth in my kids.
September 12th, 2008 at 12:58 am
Anna M says:
New at this so I have a lot to pick from…
Switching from disposable to cloth diapers (and getting 2 friends to join in with me) Using reusable grocery bags instead of plastic
will also try to use cloth napkins too.
Thanks for the motivation!
September 12th, 2008 at 1:24 am
Amanda says:
What a great challenge! I’m giving up paper plates, grocery store bags, and plastic/disposable water bottles!
September 12th, 2008 at 6:04 am
Lesha says:
I will be using cloth napkins, and bar towels instead of paper towels. I’m going use cloth diapers when I’m at home (daycare will still use disposables though). I try my hardest to use my reusable grocery bags, and not just at the grocery store either. Oh, and I bought a cloth veggie bag too!
I’ll go through the list again and find more to try also!
September 12th, 2008 at 6:17 am
Tara says:
Great challenge! I want to sign up, but except for the diapers, we use washable everything. I know there is NO WAY we could ditch toilet paper - it just wouldn’t fly in this house! We used cloth diapers for over 3 years, and have switched to disposable b/c of the drought in our area. So my ditching - when we go out, we take disposable bibs and use wipes to clean up; my rationale is that we hardly ever use them, but I have been trying to stop using disposable bibs and wipes at restaurants, so I will pack regular bibs and take a damp cloth hand towel to clean up the kids at restaurants. Any other suggestions? (we aren’t switching back to cloth! but we do use cloth training pants :)).
September 12th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
'becca says:
just switched to cloth napkins, finished w/ the cloth diapers - been there done that w/ our kids, bring my own bags to shop and have reusuable bottles etc. working on paper towels, but will always be a tiolet paper family. :)
what i’m trying to find is an alternative to ziplock bags, but less bulky than plastic containers for lunches. do you know if there is a velcro version that could be tossed in the wash for things like chips in lunches? thanks!
September 12th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Katie says:
My fiance and I have already done most of these things. I think for this challenge we are going to switch over to hankies. We only use recycled TP, I don’t know if the idea of reusable TP would go over well with him. Also, I have reusable grocery bags that I use about 80% of the time. I’d like to make this a 100% of the time habit. Now that FH is back to work and I’ve been packing his lunch almost daily, I’ve started using baggies more often. We don’t have many left so as soon as those are out, every thing I use for his lunch will be either reusable and sometimes recyclable (like foil). We don’t use swiffer (or any other product by Proctor and Gamble for the matter–animal testing isn’t exactly good for our planet either!!!) Lastly, I’d like to ditch my trusty tampons to something a little more earth friendly. Although I only get my cycle about 3-4 times a year for unknown reasons, I need to research this topic a little more. It will be my number one priority.
Thanks for this great challenge!
September 12th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
greeen sheeep says:
I will ditch plastic wrap for plate stacking. I will even go ziploc free for two months in favor of using all those empty glass containers I couldn’t bear to part with.
My daughter is on board with this challenge as well. Her lunapads arrived in the mail yesterday. If she likes them, we will both have disposable free cycles. I’ve been a Diva for a year. Love it!
September 12th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
Erika says:
Just found your challenge, and I’m in! I can’t say that DH is in though. I’ve gotten rid of most of the stuff on your list, but we keep 100%post-consumer recycled paper towels for under fried foods (as mentioned, for same reasons) and for really, really, really, gross, I-don’t-want-that-in-my-washer, nasty, disgusting messes. I’ve recently started, in earnest, using cloth wipes, and this challenge will encourage me to keep it up. The other change I’d like to initiate is to stop accepting straws! I don’t buy drinks unless they go in a “for here” ceramic/glass cup or in my stainless steel mug, but when I’m drinking blended drinks, or iced drinks, I usually end up with a plastic straw stuck in there. My few attempts of re-using them have failed, so here’s to two months without straws!
–Erika
September 12th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Around The Greenosphere: Weekly Link Roundup says:
[...] be read by all. Our own Crunchy Domestic Goddess has thrown down the gauntlet and served up her latest 3 month challenge. Can you handle it? Yes, you can. Go sign [...]
September 13th, 2008 at 1:31 am
Jenn (The Green Parent) says:
This is such a great idea! We already try to do a lot of things to “ditch th