Change the World Wednesday – 10th

Good morning good bloggers.

Getting my first coffee at 6:00 this morning I was reminded of Robin Williams in Good Morning Vietnam.

Yes, Oh God, it’s early.

Ready already for my second cup.

Update

My first beefless week was no sweat, I didn’t even miss it unless I thought about it. No beef in the fridge, no temptation. Even Lixo didn’t mind, he loves chicken as a meat supplement.

Last week’s challenge was about CDs and DVDs, etc, which is not really a problem for me as I don’t buy them, I download them.

I was taken by surprise in a comment on last week’s CTWW from Ecogrrl:

Cloud data storage

“Note – it’s important to remember that going digital doesn’t mean you’ve eliminated your environmental impact – you’re just transferring it to a different form – smaller yes, but still destructive. Internet use and storage takes up SO much – data centers are springing up all over my state of Oregon, on the eastern (dry) side of the state, where they are using up all the precious water to keep them cooled so that people can store their stuff online. There is definitely a negative to all of our internet use, so we need to think of the “invisible” storage of our digital files as well.”

I had never thought about that, less even known about it. Having given it some thought, the only online storage that I use is my blogs, images for my blogs, and a humble collection of mainly “Lixo” clips on YouTube.

I have no faith at all in this cloud storage nonsense. So I will never be a threat to environment and water usage there. But it is an aspect that one should include in the calculation of your water footprint if you store a lot of data on line as some people do. It would be worth finding out how much water is used to store, say, 1tb/month or year.

I use some CD ROMs for storage, more recently I have been using large capacity pendrives and I am currently exploring the value of investing in a USB external drive.

With a view to recycling, data/media storage, I found this idea.

CD holder toilet paper dispenser

So instead of buying dispenser packs of tissues, just buy a cheaper soft toilet paper for the same job. Cuts down on unnecessary packaging and production. Although we try to cut down on on the use of paper towels, etc in favour of washable reusables. If you’ve got a runny nose or a child with one, this could be useful.

Click the image for the challenge post

Let’s move right along, this week’s CTWW.

This week, test out Eco-friendly cleansers. You can buy “green” versions or better yet … make your own. Use Vinegar, Hydrogen Peroxide or search the Internet for other natural, homemade options. If you’re currently using something which contains toxins (typically identified by the long list of ingredients on the label and warnings about skin irritation, breathing problems, etc.), consider switching to a safer version.

 

OR …

If you’ve already made the switch to safe cleansers, please share your tips, suggestions and recipes.

Used scour pad

I don’t use much in the way of household cleansers. A simple scourer for the toilet combined with a hard brush does the trick.

Also, I reuse my scour pads from the kitchen, they get recycled to the bathroom.

*Little interruption here* Lixo has come in and  decided it’s breakfast time and I need more coffee…

There, Lixo has his breakfast and I have my coffee.

Smells sweetly of coconut

I have reduced my use of dishwashing liquid. Instead, I am now using a simple bar soap and finding it much more effective, lasts longer, has more suds and is considerably cheaper.

So those are my efforts for the challenge.

There are some cleansers, amongst other things on my Apothecary page.

If you have some ideas that could/you would like to be included there with a link to you blog, please leave me a comment with the link. I am always on the look out for ideas.