Recently in Waste Reduction Category

Many seniors live frugally because they were taught good work and play and living habits as a child or developed them to manage their own homes and lives.  So you might realize how "green" you already are -- and how a few choices can also save you significant money!

For example, 

Biking or walking for short errands ... or even to your volunteer or paid jobs

Learn to take the city bus -- many cities have significant discounts for seniors and even if you pay full price...bus rides cost much less than a car and gasoline and maintenance!  My husband and I are having a ball exploring our city on the bus...and at $ .25 a ride!

Save water -- as water supplies becomes more volatile, they also become more expensive.  Consider converting water-guzzling lawns to hardscape or native plants, or mulched beds.
And you can remind  yourself daily of the value of water by changing to a glass of water for tooth brushing instead of wasting a gallon of running water every time!

 Manage your window drapes and shades to enjoy the beautiful rays of free sunshine during your active times...and close them for filtered light to keep your rooms cool when not in use,

Make or use home-made alternatives -- like baking soda for scrubbing and scouring.  Vinegar and basic soaps are easier on the environment...and will save you big bucks over fancy cleaners.

 Simple things like reusing paper -- both sides ,,, and using mugs and glasses instead of disposable cups are simple changes to make.  Just take the time to create an easy to use system ... and you'll have them handy every time!

Pay your bills on time...avoid late charges and interest charges.  Fees for banking services are growing rapidly and by using an automated payment, you can even avoid monthly interst charges on your credit card.  Just make sure you cover your minimum payment each month with an automated payment...and then add a second payment at your leisure to finish your payment.  This can save BIG BUCKS as well as preserve your credit rating!

Gift giving can be even more special when you use your own arts and crafts to make cookies, or paintings, or embroidered dishtowels or potholders!  Wrap them in a usable cover -- such as a dishtowel or wash cloth...and your gift truly is appreciated through and through!

Going green can be a game...with unending ideas and strategies that you can use your imagination to refine and your friendships to share ideas and resources.  And then, Mother Earth becomes a valued friend, as well.

The Principles of the Ethical Practice of Public Health begins with a statement that, prima facie, supports green health care:

"Public health should address principally the fundamental causes of disease and
requirements for health, aiming to prevent adverse health outcomes."

We are learning that many of today's diseases are being caused or exacerbated by environmental pollutants.  Asthma and heart disease are greatly impacted by exposure to pollutants, especially those from vehicular exhaust.  Allergies and sensitivities are increasing as the chemical soup in which we live increase.  Children tested for resident toxins are showing significant increases in toxin levels.

Public health is one of our vehicles for a more sustianable way of life.  If "green" will improve public health, it will also improve individual health levels for our children, our neighbors, our more vulnerable seniors and even our productivity level on the job.

Climate change brings another kind of health impact.  Severe heat kills.  Droughts kill.  Floods kill.  Those public health threats are environmental, and can only be solved with environmental solutions.  Our role as citizens in those solutions is first and foremost to reduce our impact on the global natural infrastructurel.  By wasting less.  By using less.  By selecting non-toxic products and solutions.  Even by driving less -- by using public transportation and walking.

We can make a difference in the pubic health arena, with our personal choices.  We CAN make a difference, every day. 

Green and sustainable concepts are based on putting common sense and caring back into our culture.  How we care for ourselves, others, other life, and even the planet itself affects our longterm survival and quality of life.

Healthcare can make a significant impact on the three tenets of sustainability:  healthful survival of people, planet and still give us room to grow and have productive profits.

We don't think about doctors being small businesspeople very often.  But the American healthcare system is largely a for-profit industry.  Pharmaceuticals are selected and researched based not only on what is needed for health improvement, but on the amount of profit that is potential.

Even non-profit hospitals must balance a budget.  Insurance companies are largely for-profit and must balance the kind and amount of care they cover balanced with costs and profitability to pay their employees' salaries, their vendor's invoices and protect and grow their shareholder's investments.

Individuals, too, have a profit motive in good health and smart consumerism of healthcare options.  If you're sick, you can't work productively, and at the same time you have to pay for medical care and medications.  You have to balance the amount of care and types of care with your financial resources.  If you can cut costs, your household budget benefits, and you might come out at the end of the year with a "profit" -- that allows you to invest in your children's education, or a vacation or better food. 

Households, too must look at how they can balance the needs for people, planet and profit.

You can live a better life by making decisions based on personal and shared sustainability.  That includes reducing waste.  Enhancing your enhancing practices -- such as eating healthful foods and getting exercise appropriately.  Pitching in to make your community a more liveable place.  Working and contributing to a better family system, a better neighborhood system, and a better country...and globe.  Our individual choices make a difference.

Americans use 25% of the world's resources and we only have 5% of the population!  We might want to take charge of that level of consumption and waste.  By reducing your waste, you can make the greatest impact on your own sustainability as a family, and on the globe's ability  to restore its fresh air supply and its fresh water supply and its weather controls.  That's what all this fuss about green is.  It's about survival.  It's about  living responsibly for our family, and for our community.

You can make a difference -- everytime you make a small decision that reduces waste.  Every time you choose to make a difference.  You know that -- I'm just patting you on the back for the good decisions you already make, and encouraging you to keep up the good work!  You matter!