Mid-year footprint...

One of my goals for this year (and all future years) is to decrease my carbon footprint.   I started this year by digging out my Gaiam reusable water bottles and eliminating the need for countless plastic one-time-use bottle waters (I drink a LOT of water).  I already own a Pur Pitcher water filter system and our city water actually tests pretty decent.  Also, on top of being environmentally friendly, I am saving money to boot!

High quality, low cost, environmentally friendly!

During a recent grocery shopping escapade, I realized that I had a trunk full of plastic shopping bags.  I had previously been justifying using them because having 2 cats I was recycling these bags whenever I scooped the litter boxes.  BUT, the ends don't always justify the means...and having a huge stash of them in my trunk wasn't doing me, or the planet, any favors.

Source

I took ALL of my plastic bags to the grocery store and recycled them and then proceeded to use my miss-matched collection of reusable grocery bags at both Target and Safeway.  Even though some of my bags held competitor's names, they not only used my bags but I also got a 5 cent credit per bag!  Score!

One of the things that has bothered me regarding waste has been bagging my produce.  I have often resorted to putting loose produce in my cart, rather then adding to my bag collection, but it's kind of a pain in the a$$, especially when they are rolling all over the conveyor belt or off of the scale much to the cashier's chagrin.  Then I received an email notification from Care 2 Daily Deals...38% off of Reusable Recycled Produce Bags from Bag the Habit.  (Unfortunately, the sale is over but these are still a great deal...or just Google 'reusable produce bags' to find other brands.)

While this may not seem like a major movement, every small step in the right direction counts.  If we all made small moves to reduce our own carbon footprint it would certainly add up to something major.  There really is very little inconvenience in using your own canvas bags while grocery shopping and it will make you feel good to do it!!