When asked what changes they can make in their lives to live green, many people immediately fixate on the big expensive stuff. For example, buying an expensive hybrid car or installing solar panels on their roofs. Don’t get me wrong, these are admirable choices to make, but frankly, they’re beyond many people’s budget. And yeah, they’re beyond mine.
However, just because you don’t have a spare $20,000 cluttering up your house doesn’t mean you are barred from enacting green living changes in your own home.
It should come as no surprise that I am a huge proponent of making small changes, which then add up to big results. And I am here to tell you that none of these green living changes are beyond the pocketbook of the average American.
From stringing a humble clothesline between two trees in the backyard to choosing a push mower instead of a smog inducing gas mower, these choices are available to most everyone.
I was recently given $50 to spend at The Home Depot on eco-friendly products, which I was eager to accept. Sure, I’m usually a proponent on buying used over new, but when buying a new product can bring about an earth friendly change,†I’m more than willing to make an exception to† the buy-nothing-new Compact.
Because I’ve already been making these eco-friendly choices in my home for a number of years, some of the more obvious choices had already been made. My lightbulbs are all energy saving CFLs, our toilet is low-flow, and we already garden organically, using the compost from our own bins.
But there’s always more we could do, so I pointed the ol’ mini-van toward the closest Home Depot to see what eco-friendly products could be bought for $50. Here’s what I bought:
- One doormat made from recycled materials. (Our current one is cute, but absolutely useless when it comes to removing any moisture or mud from the bottoms of shoes, which pretty much makes it as helpful as a butcher at a militant vegan cooking convention.) $12.97.
- Two bottles of Martha Stewart brand plant-based bathroom cleaner for $2.90 apiece.
- A “Dual Flusher” conversion kit for our toilet. This, I am excited about. We are not a “if it’s yellow, be mellow” family, so this has the potential to save a ton of water! $19.98.
- Two 4-packs of CFL lightbulbs. $7.94.
- One issue of the new HGTV magazine. I consider this to be eco-friendly, because HGTV specializes in repurposing old stuff, so I am hoping for lots of great inspiration. $3.58.
Grand total for everything? $50.27.
I am really happy with the eco-friendly stuff I was able to find at The Home Depot. Nothing I bought today was anything I wouldn’t have normally bought. And I am really psyched to install the dual-flush conversion kit. We use a ton of water at our house, and the opportunity to make a dent in our water usage without having to switch out the entire toilet is beyond exciting for me.
Yeah, I am an eco-geek. Katy Wolk-Stanley “Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”
†Want more tips†on how to†become eco-conscious? Visit the Prizes & Promotions Section on BlogHer!
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This has been a paid review through Blogher. All opinions are my own. † †
{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
In a month after you put in the dual flush conversion kit, you definitely need to do a post on how much water it saves. I’m really interested in how it goes for your household. Don’t forget to do a two to three day check of how often the toilet gets flushed beforehand, too!
cool! I am only familiar with the dual-flush concept from traveling in other countries where EVERY toilet is dual-flush, but had no idea you could convert a regular ol’ US toilet… I’ll be curious to see how it goes!!
Yes, please, update us on how the dual-flush toilet is working!
I am love, love loving the dual flush converter! It was super easy to install, and uses much less water. Our water bills come quarterly, so it will be awhile until I can tell the difference, but I’ll be sure to report back!
Katy
Eco-geeks unite!!!!
And we are are mellow yellow family, but mainly because the boys never flush.
We are a mellow yellow family, too. I wonder if the dual flush will adequately flush non-yellows down the toilet on the pee setting. That would be awesome!
Nope. Big bidness needs the big flush.
Katy
Nice picks, I honestly think I would have picked the same exact things (I have no door mat, need one!) Well…replace the magazine with one of those new flea market or 2nd hand style mags out there and yep, I’d pick the same things 😉
I’ve been really happy with this door mat. Unlike a fiber one, it really does scrape shoes well. And in muddy Portland, Oregon, we have many opportunities to test this out!
Katy
Sweet, I didn’t know HD has recycled doormats. We have been a mellow yellow family for years and are moving back to PDX area next year to a house with a dual flush toilet. Imagine my excitement 🙂
Would love to read a post on setting up composting. This is on my list for next spring. In the meantime, we put yard waste in the woods next to our house. I would like to add what little kitchen waste (rinds, etc.) we have without inviting the local animals (and my dog) for lunch.
On a similiar note my kids and I were horrified to see the neighbors’ huge pumpkins in the trash 2 days after Halloween. Who does that!?
Also tickled about the dual flush conversion. We are a family with liter pop bottles hidden in our toilet tanks, and are yellow-mellowers.
I can’t remember the last time I purchased an actual ‘cleaning’ product though. Vinegar, water, essential oil, shake, shake, shake, viola.
We got one of the ‘fancy’ dual flush toilets when we remodeled our bathroom, in addition to a new faucet for our sink. Between the two, we cut our water bill down to 2000 gallons a month (two people). Previously we typically used 4000 gallons a month. Once we redo our other bathroom and replace the 1970’s large flush toilet, we will probably see another decrease.
On another note, make sure all your faucets have aerators. We own a 4 unit apartment complex that, prior to our renovations, used over 5000 cf of water a month. Now, with all apartments occupied & 5 adults, 4 kids living there, they have only used 750 cf per month. All we did was put in aerators in all the kitchen & bathroom sinks and replace the toilets to low-flow toilets (they work very well for low flow, too!)
We are going green in our home on a small budget. No hybrid vehicles, no expensive eco products and no extra consuming needed to cut our ecological footprint! I absolutely agree that green living is cheap and simple and that all the tiny steps add up to something significant.
Is it worth buying the dual flush conversion kit if you already have a low-flow toilet?
Yes, as the toilet now flushes much, much less water for urine.
Katy
Have you considered using LED lights instead of CFLs? LEDs are more costly up front, but cost less to use over their life cycle, as they are more efficient energy-wise (they use less electricity) and last as much as ten times longer than CFLs. Also, LEDs don’t contain mercury like CFLs do.
I am waiting for LED lights to come down in price.
Katy
OK-we can talk about anything here,right? Does leaving urine in the bowl for a while stain it? Do you flush like once every 24 hours?? We take a lot of vitamins and have bright yellow pee (sorry if this is TMI) –I didn’t realize how many people are mellow-yellow–I’ll do it too if it won’t stain the bowl. Also gonna run out and buy the dual flush thing too– great tips–
No staining issues. I clean our toilets 1-2 times a week with baking soda and vinegar and we haven’t had any issues.
One thing we did to save money and be more eco-friendly is purchasing smart surges for our computers and TV’s. The smart surge looks to see when you turn off a main component, like your TV and then cuts power to all the other devices plugged into the surge. Even when turned off, things like your cable box and game systems still draw power. This cuts the power completely. The first month, we saved about $30 on our electric bill.
I never knew there was such a thing as a dual flush converter for toilets – interesting. My approach to conserving water/reducing my water bill is a bit more drastic and much less glamorous. I stopper my tub when I take a shower (2-3X a week in cooler months, basin-wash the other days) and bail it into three 5 gallon pails. I flush using the saved water. The pails ain’t purty but I live alone and my guests know my green & frugal nature. Plus, hefting 5 gallon pails full of water is good exercise!
I could totally see myself doing this, but I know my rambunctious boys would knock those puppies over faster than Bruce Jenner at a Botox convention.
Katy
On the power surge shutoff devices, do the electronics have to be reset once you turn them back on? For example, for the TV, does it save your channel presets? I have seen these but not executed yet!
Ok, dual flush converter is pretty much the coolest thing EVER! Easy to install isn’t bad either. I need specifics before I run off to the store, is this the one you bought?
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202267979/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
Yes, that looks to be the one I bought.
Katy
Couldn’t help but share this man’s happiness received with frugal living…
http://www.odditycentral.com/news/millionaire-who-gave-fortune-to-charity-now-lives-on-1350-a-month.html
When I looked at the picture and had not read the post, I wondered what you were going to do with the box of rocks…lol. I need a new mechanism in my toilet, so that dual flush looks like the deal for me. When I heard the toilet water capacity was being lowered, I rushed out and bought two of the old type to replace my ancient commodes. Really, it’s a problem and the solution would be tearing out a 100-year-old oak and throwing $2000 at the fix for a 90-year-old sewage from house to road. Since I am the only one here, using too much water is not a problem, not is the mellow yellow a problem. Training boys to flush is worth the water! So, I don’t blame you on that point.
I realize that this comment is months after the conversation ended, but I had to write anyway. I bought the dual flush kit based on your recommendation and the positive comments of others. I was very disappointed. The small flush button is very hard to push and must be held to the count of 10 to flush properly. It can not be operated at all with moderately long fingernails. The devise empties the toilet about half the time on the small flush set to its highest water setting. And yes we did clean out the water vents as instructed. We will be removing it as soon as possible. I am glad that is has been helpful to some, but I thought you should know that not everyone finds it satisfactory.
I’m sorry to hear that. I’ve been 100% satisfied with my dual-flush kit.
🙁
Katy