In today’s world, everyone wants to be green. People are looking for ways to do the things they love in a way that’s kinder to the environment, uses less resources and preserves natural resources.
This week I got to thinking about ways our generation is just naturally doing things in a ‘greener fashion’ — sometimes without even realizing it.
Movie lovers: Gone are the days when you would have to drive your vehicle and use your gas to go rent a movie from the video store. Now you can just rent a movie directly from your satellite or cable company. You can watch movies online or subscribe to Redbox or Blocbuster Online and have the movies delivered direct to your house.
Books: If you love to read, you no longer have to drive to a library to find the classics or the latest release. With the Kindle, Nook, mobile devices and apps, you can find any book you want from the comfort of your couch or treadmill. Many times you can get these books for free if you know where to look. Check out Amazon’s top 100 list of free ebooks. http://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/digital-text#
Sewing/craft patterns and supplies: You can find patterns for every possible yarn or material project you can imagine online. Many sites will even offer a free pattern of the week for subscribers. Just google your craft of choice plus the words ‘free pattern’ and you will get hundreds of options.
Consider using recycled yarn from old sweaters or getting it from friends or neighbors who no longer want balls of yarn in their craft supplies.
Crafts and school projects: Give the kids something fun to do on a rainy day by letting them raid the recycle bin. Last year my kids had a school assignment to make musical instruments out of recycled trash. The kids created trumpets, maracas, drums, guitars and more. http://hobbiesonabudget.com/2012/04/21/recycled-trash-into-musical-instruments/
Turn trash into toys. One day, the kids and my mom decided to make monster trucks out of packing foam and cereal boxes. http://hobbiesonabudget.com/2012/03/30/recycled-crafts-use-trash-to-make-toys/
When you get a school project, raid your craft box first to see if you already have something that would work, then go to the store and buy the extra items.
Repurpose — reuse: Use reclaimed wood from pallets to create new treasures. A friend of mine recently showed me a new bath shelf she had built. She used reclaimed pallet wood for the base, then painted it to give new life.
Photography: Digital photography is a greener way to take pictures than old school film options. We can take as many pictures as we want and only print the ones we love. Take it a step further and order your prints online to save the gas and expense of driving to a store.
Use rechargeable batteries if possible. When you are done with your batteries, recycle them. Check Lowes for a recycle box option in the front of the store.
Gardening: This is quite possibly one of the greenest hobbies you can have. You grow your own vegetables and bring them in to your kitchen. Since we love bell peppers, we grow enough to eat them fresh all summer and then freeze them for the cold winter days. http://hobbiesonabudget.com/2012/07/27/how-to-freeze-green-peppers/
Travel: If travel is your favorite hobby, then hit the road and have a ball. It’s hard to feel very ‘green’ when you’re filling up at the gas pump, but there are still options. Check for a rewards or loyalty card and earn points toward free perks. Plan your travels so you will be getting it all done in fewer trips.
Whatever your favorite hobby is, look around and see if there are ways that you are already being green. Then see if you can take it up one notch and do a little more to be eco-friendly with your hobby pursuits.
Sharon Williams blogs about hobbies, saving money and life at www.hobbiesonabudget.com.
