Save, Save, Save!

reduce reuse recycle

I’ve been learning about some methods to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and SAVE money, energy and time right in the kitchen!

SAVE MONEY (It’s yours. You worked for it. Now keep some.)

crystal pull out trash and recycling
Who wouldn’t want to waste less time and money? How about making less of a mess of our planet at the same time? We do the same things over and over because they are habits. What if we did some things just a bit differently? I know most of us have been recycling glass, plastic, metal and paper for quite some time. For some, that requires paying a trash company to haul it away for us. I recently learned that my refuse company had been charging me almost twice what another charges! (this after 10 years of paying enormous fees) After more inquiring, I further reduced this monthly fee by asking if they could stop by my house only once a week. The answer was yes. I now throw all the recyling together in one huge rolling bin, and all the trash in another identical one, and they are both picked up once a week. When I designed my kitchen, I placed a rollout trash/recycling bin next to my sink. It’s easy now to rinse the bottles and cans and toss them in. When it’s full, it gets dumped in the bin outside. No drips on the floor!

I’m Irish, and am always looking for ways to keep from having to buy stuff and more stuff. I have been washing disposable sponges in my dishwasher for years. As soon as they get grungy, I toss them into the top rack and run them thru. A quick squeeze when they come out and they smell like new. We have been even washing out our zip lock plastic bags. This may seem extreme, but some of those freezer bags are expensive, and if I only use them once, I’m spending my hard earned cash wastefully. Why not give them a sudsy rinse while you’re washing something else? The trick can be getting them dry though. Look at this cute little rack.



SAVE THE WORMS (They love your coffee grounds!)

under counter recycling bin
Something I started doing after a grade school experiment is composting. I know it sounds gross to some, and it takes adjustment, but it’s now a habit that I can feel great about. We drink a lot of coffee. We also eat a lot of foods that produce peelings, skins, shells, pits, seeds, etc. We drop it all in a covered bin. When it’s full, I take it outside and toss it into a pile near the back of my yard. That’s it. I don’t turn it or worry about it. This spring, I did dig in with a trowel and found the most gorgeous soil and happiest worms you ever saw. I tossed some in a few new planting holes for roses. We’ll see how they do. There are some very cool flush lidded recycling bins available for your new kitchen that under-mount directly into your counter top. I had a client recently who put hers on an island top near her second prep sink. This has reduced clutter for her, and serves her busy household well.


SAVE THE PLUMBING (Plumbers are expensive.)
Encouraging recycling also helps reduce wear and tear on the garbage disposal and the plumbing. An experience plumber told me if people never put eggshells down their disposal, he would get far fewer service calls. When he has to cut a major pipe, he often finds the inside lined with years and years of sticky bits of egg shells that have reduced the opening, and eventually caused a back up. (Yes, the worms also love eggshells.)

SAVE THE BAY (Look at it on the map. It is gorgeous. It is in trouble.)

Another cost-cutting habit of mine is to use the “theory of half”. If the laundry detergent label calls for 1 cup, try ½ a cup. You’d be surprised how we over-use products needed to do the job because the manufacturer recommends it. (HM?) If you also use a phosphate free detergent, it will have fewer chemicals in it (good for you) and will help with water quality (good for the Bay). Try the theory of half with your shampoo. Amazing, eh? Lately, you’ve probably heard about dead zones and algae blooms. Our yard fertilizers are part of the problem, but our yards of flat grass, and our sidewalks and streets that can’t absorb water are also at fault. Here are some great ideas if you are thinking of reworking part of your yard: (which attracts more birds which eat more pesky insects.)

SAVE ENERGY

You may have an old refrigerator that still works fine. If it’s more than 15 years old, you may think you are saving money by putting off the inevitable, but you may be surprised at how much electricity that old box is costing you. Energy star appliances are a lot more efficient. This designation shows that the Environmental Protection Agency has tested this product and given it this special label for its energy saving qualities.

In addition, many appliance stores and manufacturers have teamed up to offer deep discounts at retailer level as well as mail-in manufacturers’ rebates from $50.00-$100.00 for each piece to 4 piece package rebates as high as $1600.00 for purchases this month.

There are still federal tax credits available until December 2011 to reduce your costs of other energy saving household upgrades such as geothermal heat pumps, solar energy systems, Heating and Air Conditioning units, water heaters, and new doors and windows

Even if your family isn’t worried about climate change or damage to our environment, you may be worried about what’s left in your wallet at the end of the month. Come on and SAVE!

- Julie Hendrickson