Coffee Talk: Green is the New Black

Feb 6, 2013

Coffee Talk: Green is the New Black

From hybrid cars and wind energy to coffee cups made of recycled materials, being green is all the rage. In fact it’s almost unavoidable. While some of our eco-friendly choices are made for us, with companies going the extra mile to provide green options for their customers, for many it is a way of life, continually putting their time and effort towards better health and environmental protection.

I first started my journey to being green during my freshman year of college in Southern California, admittedly by force. My roommate–a Sacramento native who had been eating organic from the womb–constantly harassed me about recycling, biking instead of driving, and eating organic, local foods (preferably from farmers markets). I’ll be honest, at first I didn’t care at all, but it’s amazing what habits you pick up when living with someone. I adopted an environmental awareness that now leads me to make small eco-friendly changes in my day-to-day life. Small things like taking reusable bags to the grocery store–I should mention they’re pink and monogrammed. What can I say? I’m pretty much the envy of my fellow female shoppers.

We’ve been talking more and more about being green over at The Everygirl offices. It was first brought up when Danielle gave Alaina a hard time about not using green cleaning products to wipe up a spill on the floor, claiming that non-organic cleansers are hazardous to her pups. But what about cost? Organic foods are already more expensive, now cleaning products too? One of our staffers quickly chimed in sharing how since she’s switched to using green cleaning products she no longer experiences the headaches she did when using other products. She swears by GreenWorks, a line made by Clorox, and said they smell great, are just as effective as other products, and aren’t crazy overpriced, all without the harsh chemicals. Best of both worlds. Again, it’s just an ordinary purchase that can make an extraordinary difference. And the pups stay safe!

What do you think, Everygirls? Is being green more than just a trend? Do you incorporate green products into your household cleaning regimen? If so, what have the benefits been? If not, what’s keeping you from making the switch?

- Darlene

Darlene Campos

cleaning product image via // bike image via // carrots photo by Danielle Moss for The Everygirl

This post is sponsored by Green Works®. You don’t have to compromise to be clean when you use hard working, plant-based cleaners powered by The Clorox Company.

Darlene Campos

LolaZabeth

I’ve found small ways here and there for my family to ‘go green,’ but the change the has given me the most pleasure, and ironically the one that has had the greatest impact, is eliminating paper towels. We now use linen napkins at our meals all of the time. Over time I’ve built a stash of napkins that are festive, whimsical and classic. It’s amazing how a simple thing like a ‘real’ napkin can make a typical meal feel a bit more special. For spills and the like, we just use dish towels. It’s saved us some money to boot!

Nikki

I love this idea! I have been trying to find those paper towel rolls that are fabric and you can reattach, but this would be an easy change I could make right away. It also goes along with my insistance on using real plates and valuing our time at the table.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1176930106 Hanna Rosman

I think being green is about being more mindful about your lifestyle. I recycle, I use vinegar and water as opposed to harsh chemicals for cleaning products, and I buy mostly raw foods (fruits and vegetables) and local when I can to cook rather than highly processed food. I feel better health-wise and I feel good about lowering my carbon footprint and supporting local farmers.

Lindsay_thegardenapt

I completely agree with Hanna. I do the same things – recycle, use my own products instead of the harsh chemicals, buy fruits/vegetables, shop at local farm markets. I had a friend in college who had to do this experiment where he carried around with him all the trash he acquired over the course of a week. He was already very sustainable as is, but it was shocking to see. When I think about being wasteful, about producing trash, it is very unappetizing.

Lately, I’ve been much more conscious about the inadvertent ways I produce trash (online shopping, take-out, etc). Those things seem to add up more than paper towels, napkins, etc.

Chloe Moon

I’m going to try to incorporate mint more into my wardrobe this spring! I’m still on the fence about green green! =P

Ergo – Blog
lily

Since I made the commitment to vegetarianism at age 12 (I’m at my 12 year anniversary!) I’ve been all about making environmentally friendly choices. It’s sometimes hard and time consuming, but I’ve found you have to pick your battles and not get too hard on yourself if you have to do something the ‘conventional’ way.

The most important thing, I think, though, is to change the rhetoric around the topic. I think the phrase “BEING GREEN” perpetuates the idea that it’s a trend, that it’s something cool to be right now. Instead we should talk about being ‘environmentally conscious’ or aware, compassionate shoppers, mindful eaters, etc. Whenever something develops a buzzword for a description, it’s already far into its own downfall as a short-lived trend. I really appreciate the article, though, and think there needs to be much more discussion in the future. Thanks, Everygirl!

Allyson Fulcher

WOW! 12 years – congratulations!!

Kim

I use method cleaners, love the scents. We always use real dishes and very rarely buy paper plates. We recycle but I must admit I do like my Lysol wipes for doorknobs and bathrooms, especially during flu season. It’s funny, but I only use them in the winter months.
Allyson Fulcher

I love the Green Works all purpose cleaner! It smells so good. It’s my favorite cleaner, regardless of being green or not. The environmental benefits are just an added bonus!
when we wander

I definitely try to be green when I can, though it’s not always easy. It’s kind of like going on a diet — going green shouldn’t be considered a limited time thing, it should be more of a lifestyle. In Italy, they’re not even allowed to use plastic bags at stores, which I think is awesome.
http://www.whenwewander.blogspot.com
Rachel

I hope “being green” is more than just a trend, but can definitely see that in many places it still needs help. I live in a community that really supports being environmentally conscious, which I think helps encourage and sustain that lifestyle. I always use reuseable bags to go shopping (even at the mall) and use Blue Avocado bags for my lunches/snacks to bring to work. Farmers markets, bike paths, and public transportation are everywhere here. But when I go visit my parents in my home town, it’s a completely different story. I once brought reuseable bags to the grocery store there and the cashier looked at me like I was crazy!
Summer

Although it carries great benefits, there is no denying it–being “green” is definitely a full-fledged market. The tension sits between minding one’s budget and being environmentally-minded…and to top it off, can you always trust that “organic” means what you think it means (as the FDA and such have pretty loose standards for products to carry that sticker)?

To make an impact in both your own life and the global community, why not pick something that you do often and find green alternatives? Do you really clean the windows that often? If not, skip the cleaning products and change your laundry detergent. Not a big follower of the 2-3 servings of veggies? Instead of buying organic vegetables, switch to organic peanut butter (or whatever satisfies your late-night cravings!)
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1430592750 Jenny Wise

I really loved this post– thanks for the detail and photos. I loved that you didn’t simply posit a question but gave some backstory! I completely support the ‘go green’ movement. I think it is healthier for ourselves and the planet and just makes you feel better! (I would also love to see a special column on the Everygirl for giving back and making the world we live in a little brighter.)
http://www.facebook.com/lauren.cooper.54738943 Lauren Cooper

Absolutely! I use green products to clean my entire household…I can use Borax to clean everything in my house. I do it for my family and my pets. I also love the Ms. Meyers and Method brands. If you buy the concentrate in bulk and just refill your bottles with the cleaner and water, it lasts forever! I also use eco-friendly laundry and dish detergent.