Envisioning the Monthly Eco-Actions

[daniel moss]

The idea has been passed around to organize a Monthly Eco-Action that everyone in the Art of Living can participate in simultaneously.

Initial ideas include replacing our light bulbs with compact fluorescents, buying non-toxic household cleaners (good for a spring month!), and starting a compost.

The main idea for implementing this would just be a newsletter that is sent on esatsang and the art of living volunteers newsletters.

? - What do you think would be good Eco-Actions for this project?
? - Which one would be best to start with?
? - How do you picture them getting the biggest participation?

[Dan Goettel]

We could have a month where no one accepts any plastic bags while they shop.

[daniel moss]

i like that. simple easy and effective. we could also sell "Art of Living Green" Canvas bags to make it easier and to make a statement at the same time.

[nita]

hey dan
that's a gr8 idea..................... like our guru says..... we sud begin with simple steps forward.
i'm going to float this idea at our local members meet.
jgd
nita

[Dan Goettel]

Or a month where people try to recycle garbage that isn't theirs, that people are just throwing away because they don't care enough to put it in a recycle bin

[Joanna Bull]

We could all do the 100-mile diet for a month, where we eat only food that comes from a 100-mile radius from where we live. This is a challenge, and would definitely be easier to do in the summer. It's a great way to raise awareness about where our food comes from, and how much fossil fuels are used in shipping our food from all over the world, running large grocery stores, etc. Most places have local farmer's markets, local co-ops for grains, and things like that, and I believe there are some resources online for the 100-mile diet.

[Betsy Herman]

Our co-op gives customers who use their own bags a wooden nickel every time they check out and re-use one of their own. The purpose of the wooden nickel comes in because there are two containers by the door for different non-profit organizations, both green and community oriented, local and non-local. For every wooden nickel that customers place in the containers, the coop donates a real nickel to that organization, such as local homeless shelters, animal rehabilitation clinics, etc. Every month the total donated to the organizations is published in the newsletter. It helps the coop to motivate customers to do their small part, to encourage other community groups financially and, based on increased participation, also saves resources that go into bag manufacturing and purchasing.

[nick pollicinio]

I think it's a great idea! I started a compost 2 weeks ago..I think this would be a good start, it's easy EVERYONE can do it, and it doesn't cost anything!