make a smaller ecological footprint

I gave a bunch of crap away on freecycle this week. Now I have less shit and so does the landfill.

for the past week and a half. While it has not been a pleasant experience, I have forced myself to look at the positive environmental effects of one less car on the road. I don’t expect to get it back for another week. Would love to give it up for good but we have minimal public transportation around here. Although, I have been considering some type of scooter.

But, I am determined to do it. I’ve been on it for 2 weeks and I’ve already saved $400.00. It is frustating at times but I feel more empowered knowing that I really am making an effort to exist as noninvasively as possible.

I have put myself on a budget and am determined to live within my means. This means that i buy a lot less shit and contribute less to landfills. i cut about $600 per month out. That is insane. What in the hell was I buying?

i joined my local freecycle organization to get rid of some of the things i don’t need/want anymore and that are not ready for the landfill, yet. it’s a pretty neat deal and there is opportunity to find things you need as well without having to buy MORE stuff. I’ve also been exchanging stuff with my neighbors and that is cool as well. It’s much more fun and gratifying to aquire and donate things this way.

I have been very bored lately and have spent massive amounts of money i do not have on shit i do not need. I never knew I was one of those people but I have certainly become one. I’m trying to work it out.

I collected 2 gazillion wire hangers from my closet. Anyone know what I can do with them other than toss them in the garbage? They must be useful for something.
I have done well in limiting the amount of prepackaged food I buy and i am also considering eliminating the plastic garbage bag from my trash can. That way, when it is full i can dump the can into the large bin outside, wash the can out and start over again. A little more work but i ready don’t think the bag is a necessity.

I live in Louisiana so I have seen 1st hand the devestation. Several members of my family have lost everything and are being forced to start over. The price of gas is rising, many of the things we depend on are diminishing. Among other things, it has caused me to accept my dependence on them. I would much rather not be directly affected by gas prices by riding my bike more than driving my car. And I don’t really need those new goucho pants. But, I make up excuses as to why I do NEED them. It’s all a bunch of BS really. And at the moment I can not allow myself to justify buying new things when many of those around me have absolutely nothing. Certainly, the destruction caused by Katrina has made me think of my own environmental destruction thru gluttony which often stems from boredom. This week, i have definately made a smaller ecological footprint.

MY FIRST ATTEMPT WILL BE TO EAT LESS PREPACKAGED FOODS. I WOULD LIKE TO BUY ANOTHER BIKE BUT IT WOULD PRIMARILY BE FOR FUN AND FITNESS. UNFORTUNATELY, I WORK AND GO TO SCHOOL TOO FAR AWAY TO BIKE RIGHT NOW. MY SMALL SOUTHERN CITY DOES NOT OFFER RECYCLING PROGRAMS SO I WOULD LIKE TO LOOK IN TO THAT AS WELL.