Greener Quilting

I started quilting a few years ago, and I’ve been completely hooked ever since. It’s one of my favorite hobbies for a lot of reasons. For one thing, while it can take me months to create a quilt, it’s something that I can do at any time at home, regardless of whether I have five minutes or two hours to spend. I also like how it combines the creativity of producing my own design with the comforting repetitiveness of cutting squares and sewing seams. It’s also wonderful to have a hobby that actually produces something, especially something that I can share with others; I’ve made one quilt for myself, but everything else I’ve made has gone to family members.

Of course, for me one of the best parts of quilting is being able to fit it into my green lifestyle. Having a big, warm quilt means that I can turn the heat down and cut back on energy usage at home. Perhaps even better than that is that it gives me a way to reuse pieces of fabric that others might simply toss in the trash.

Here are some of the things I do to reduce and reuse when I’m quilting:

Sometimes a piece of clothing will get so worn out in just one or two areas that in can no longer be worn. When that’s the cases, there is usually still a lot of good material that can be easily salvaged. Almost all of my quilting pieces had a previous life as a shirt, skirt, or pair of pants. These worn clothing can come from my own closet, clothing swaps, or bargain bins at thrift stores.
I save the fabric scraps and remnants from all my sewing projects. Even very small pieces can find another use eventually. Right now I’m working on a quilt that includes 1.5 by 1.5 inch squares, and I have plenty of scraps to use.
I sort all my fabric scraps by color, so that when I’m planning a quilt design, it’s very easy for me to see what I have to work with.
I like to buy bed sheets from thrift stores to use as the back of my quilts. It usually takes a few excursions before I find exactly what I’m looking for, but it’s cheaper and greener than buying a huge swath of new fabric from a store.

Green Tips

Reduce Waste When You Travel

Travelers can generate a lot of waste and pollution, even with the best intentions. But it isn’t hard to make a few changes that can help us avoid a lot of trash and otherwise green up our time away from home. It is our responsibility to take care of the places we inhabit, and to show that we respect the place we are traveling to, that others inhabit.

Check out more tips on reducing waste while traveling!

Reduce Paper Waste at the Office

Office paper is highly recyclable, but reducing or preventing paper waste is even more cost effective than recycling. Some ideas for reducing office paper waste:

Double-sided copying and printing.
Reusing paper. Keep a collection box by the copy machine for bad copies so the second side can be reused.
Make use of electronic communication.
Use smaller cover sheets or eliminate the cover sheet all together.
Reuse items from old packaging.
Reuse materials in-house, through clients, customers and consumers.
Consider buying the most environmentally-friendly paper (100% post-consumer recycled) to stock in your printers, copiers and fax machines.

Check out our full article Green Your Office for more great ideas.

Purchase Sustainable Lumber and Wood Products

Minnesota’s forests are vital to the state economy and environment. The Minnesota wood products industry provides employment to rural communities and serves markets throughout the world. As global trade in forest products grows, forest certification has emerged as a mechanism for consumers to identify wood products produced from sustainably managed forests. Nearly 50 different companies in Minnesota manufacture and market certified products. Retailers and distributors sell a variety of lumber, paneling, and decking products. Numerous local paper and printing companies also offer certified products.

More info here!

Support a Local Business

Did you know that roughly 73 cents of every dollar spent at a local business stays within the community, compared to 43 cents for non-local chain stores? When you buy from local businesses, you help that business employ community workers, support other local businesses, and contribute to the community’s overall health. Read more here about the benefits of buying locally.

Start an Organics Recycling Program

Establishing an organics recycling program is a great way to reduce the amount of trash an organization or household disposes. Organics include all food waste and non-recyclable or food-soiled paper products and can make up approximately 25 percent of what we throw away. This article offers tips on how to start your own program.

Green Your Child’s Lunch

Home-packed lunches can be fun, healthy, and green, with very little time or money required. A child’s lunch, including organic fruit, requires less than five minutes on average to prepare and could cost as little as $1.00 per day-compared to over $2.25 for school lunch.

Try these suggestions to green your packed lunches, whether for children, adults, or picnics!

Get Engaged!

Individuals’ actions are important in setting sound policy, so become an engaged citizen. Whether you call your legislator’s office, testify in a legislative hearing or attend a rally, you can make your voice heard. Still doubt that you can make a difference? This article addresses couple common concerns about whether civic engagement is worth it.

Buy Reusable for Parties, Picnics & Holidays

Purchase durable, long lasting reusable items for serving and eating food such as silverware, glasses, bowls, mugs, plates, and cloth napkins. When you choose reusable over disposable, even if it costs more up front, it will save money and be less wasteful. Think about the amount of trash you can keep out of the landfill or the incinerator by choosing to reuse!

Check out our article on How to Plan a Low Waste Event for more ideas!

Make Your Own Non-Toxic Cleaners

Many of the chemicals found in the average store bought household cleaner are associated with health and environmental concerns. You can reduce your exposure to toxins at home by using fewer chemicals and making your own Non-Toxic Cleaners.

Non-Toxic Cleaner Recipes

Check Windows and Doors for Energy Efficiency

Here are some easy tips for Home Energy Savings:

Leaky windows, doors and frames can let out the air you paid to heat or cool. Once a year, check the caulking around your windows, doors and joints to make sure everything is sealed tightly.
Install weather stripping around any leaky windows and doors.
If you use storm windows, check them each winter to be sure they provide a good seal and are not cracked.
If you have only single glaze windows, you can purchase do-it-yourself plastic storms that just tape into place.
If you use window air conditioners, take them out for the winter. If they are attached to the wall or too big to move, make sure they are well-covered with insulating material to avoid leaking a lot of your warm air.
If you have a fireplace, install a glass door that reduces hot air loss.

How Our Food Choices Effect the Planet

How Our Food Choices Effect the Planet

May 12, 2016January 12, 2015

By Eva Lewandowski

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