Howtoteachgreen.html

How to Teach Green

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE GREEN

By Glenda Lehman Ervin, Lehman’s

Part 1:

This is the first of a three part series on how to live an environmentally responsible lifestyle. Entitled “How to teach green,” it will help you instill respect for the earth in your children.

“I can use both sides of paper for drawing.”

Allison, age 8

Part 2:

This is the second of a three-part series on how to live an environmentally responsible lifestyle. Entitled “How to shop green,” it will help you make eco-friendly choices as you shop.

Buy as little plastic as possible. Corn plastic, which is a biodedegradable substance, is now being used for everything from travel mugs to ball point pens. Every time you buy something made out of plastic, think about the 2,000 years it will take that item to biodegrade.

Buy local. There are so many reasons to buy local. When you stop at a local farm market for corn or peaches, chances are that produce was very recently picked, retaining valuable nutrients. Not only does the food taste better, it is better for you. In addition, the fossil fuels used to transport that product from Florida to Ohio, for example, are non-existent when you buy local.

Go to the library . I love books and usually have at least two, if not three, going at the same time. I have purchased hard cover books that I want in my personal library. But novels and business books of interest can be picked up at any library. Libraries are wonderful resources – and oh so cost-effective! Most have story hour, craft time, show and tell and a host of other activities.

Shop at used clothing stores. Because children outgrow clothes so quickly, it doesn’t make sense to buy them a new outfit every time the sleeves are too short or the jeans have a rip. Most of the clothes you can purchase in department store are imported, adding to the environmental waste created to transport them to this country.

Look for recycled sport equipment. If your child has ever signed up for hockey or track, you know how much the equipment can cost! Be kind to your budget, and find a local used sporting goods store, or just place a small classified ad in your local paper. Chances are, you can pick up a gently used baseball uniform, knee pads or soccer ball at a fraction of the price of a new one.

Use recyclable bags. Did you know that well over one billion plastic bags are given out free each day? But nothing, as the old adage goes, is really free. The actual costs paid by our environment and society for the fleeting convenience of unlimited, free, single-use plastic bags is astonishingly high. Not only does it take massive amounts of fossil fuels to produce the bags, they take over 1,000 years to biodegrade. Sea turtles, whales and other marine mammals die every year from eating discarded plastic bags mistaken for food. Turtles think the bags are jellyfish, their primary food source. Once swallowed, plastic bags choke animals or block their intestines, leading to an agonizing death. On land, many cows, goats and other animals suffer a similar fate when they eat plastic bags while foraging for food. Because they are so lightweight, the bags can become airborne, causing unsightly litter in trees.

White is right. If you typically purchase paper towels, napkins and toilet paper decorated with pretty designs, think about switching to plain white. Today’s technology is producing chlorine-free, soft and absorbent paper towels made from recycled paper. The ink used to print the designs on paper is often petroleum-based. By purchasing white paper products, you can reduce our independence on fossil fuels.

For more eco-friendly ideas, visit www.Lehmans.com and click on the Natural Goods department on the left hand side.

Part 3:

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE GREEN

What’s it worth to save the earth?

By Glenda Lehman Ervin, Lehman’s

This is the third of a three-part series on how to live an environmentally responsible lifestyle. Entitled “How to live green,” it will help you make eco-friendly choices that are easy on your budget, as well as Mother Nature.

One of the most attractive benefits of living green is that it will save you money. That’s right – save cash as you save the earth. What could be better than that? Here are tips on how to live a greener life, without ruining all your fun.

Quit buying bottled water: Bottled water costs about $8 per gallon, compared to a gallon of tap water that costs a fraction of a penny. The plastic bottles are littering the streams, woods and landfills of our country. Get a reusable bottle and, well, reuse it!

Stop mowing and start growing: Our obsession with an acre of perfectly fertilized and mown lawns is uniquely American. Why not take a portion of your lawn and plant flowers, or better yet, a garden. Then you can cancel your gym membership – think of all the calories you are burning as you grow food for your family.

Plant perennials: I love flowers, especially ones that bloom very early in the spring. What other product will reproduce year after year with no input from you. A landscaper once told me the first year you plant perennials they weep, the next year they creep and the third year they leap. We planted lots of perennials three years ago, and this is so true. Our patio is a burst of color. (see attached photos)

Fill it first: Never run your dishwasher or washing machine unless you have a full load. This is a small change that requires no investment on your part, but can save you water and energy costs.

Close the loop: We recycle all our garbage, and we look for recycled products to purchase. Our patio furniture, which looks just like Adirondack chairs, is made from recycled milk jugs. I can’t prove it, but I like to think our favorite breakfast drink has contributed to our outdoor seating.

Use people power: Pull a wagon, push a wheelbarrow, grab a rake, pick up a shove, use the broom. Avoid the easy, automated way to do every choir around the house.

Take a hike: Looking for family fun? Go for a walk. Swim at the beach. Pack a picnic. Ride your bike. Set up the tent. Watch the birds. Check out the moon. Enjoy the outdoors. It’s good for you, and it’s free.

Re-purpose something: I know, I know, it’s the latest buzzword, but I think it’s fun. Got an old retro lunchbox? Carry it as a purse. Those jeans with rips in the knees? Cut them off for cool shorts. That water can that leaks? Turn it into a planter. That stack of coffee cans that you planning to recycle? Store your nails, screws, buttons or pencils in them. Think of it as your chance to be creative. And cheap.

Plant a tree: Over the years, my father Jay Lehman (founder of Lehman’s) has planted thousands of trees. Some are large, and some are just seedlings. He considers this part of the legacy he leaves for his grandchildren.

Pay your bills and do your banking on-line: You’ll save time, paper and a stamp. Some companies are actually starting to charge extra for paper mail.

For more eco-friendly products that are easy on your budget, visit www.Lehmans.com or stop by Lehman’s massive retail store, on the Square in Kidron. It is open every day except Sunday. Call for details at

330-857-5757.