by Wendy Gabriel

GREEN TIP: Instead of purchasing disposable products that contribute to our waste stream, buy reusable products.

This green tip may require an initial purchase of some quality items but in the end you’ll save money and the planet.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Cloth napkins instead of paper napkins: You probably already own some and only use them on special occasions. Or, if you don’t, visit your local thrift shop or retail store and stock up on things like cloth napkins.

Some local thrift shops:

ARC
255 University Drive, North Fargo 701-232-6641
3201 43rd Street, South Fargo 701-364-9762

Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch Thrift Stores
More information: www.dakotaboysandgirlsranch.org.

Heirlooms
Hospice of Red River Valley
1617 32nd Avenue South, Fargo 701-356-2670
More information: www.hrrv.org/heirlooms.
They specify they have crystal, china dinnerware and table linens at their store

• Use cloth or recycled paper towels instead of chlorine-bleached paper towels:

You can find cloth towels at your local thrift store or retail store. Recycled paper products can be found locally at Tochi Products and Specialty Foods, Hornbacher’s, Cash Wise and SunMart.

• Use a permanent coffee filter instead of buying paper filters: Some coffee makers come with a permanent filter but you can also purchase them separately.
• Use glass or stainless steel straws instead of plastic straws: This will ensure you’re not drinking plastic toxins with your lemonade and reduces the amount of plastic sitting in our landfills.

GlassDharma – The original glass straw. Handmade in the USA.

RSVP Endurance Stainless Steel Drink Straws at ChefTools.com.

• Use an old school razor instead of a disposable: Or if you’re nervous about replacing your own razor blade use a Preserve razors.

Preserve Products are made from 100% recycled plastics and 100% post-consumer paper. By using recycled materials, they save energy, preserve natural resources and create an incentive for communities to recycle.

All of their plastic products are recyclable, either through our postage-paid labels and mailers (toothbrushes and razor handles) or at the curb in communities that recycle #5 plastic.

They make their products in the USA, so they can ship them shorter distances, using less fuel and limiting their environmental footprint.

• Use a recycled toothbrush (Preserve) instead of a disposable toothbrush: Preserve has a wonderful toothbrush subscription program. They will send you a new (recycled) toothbrush every three months. For more information visit: www.preserveproducts.com.
• Use rechargeable batteries (and recharge them) instead of disposable batteries: And when disposing of the rechargeable batteries that just aren’t rejuicing like they used to remember to safely dispose of them. Consult Earth911.com for drop off locations.

Locally batteries can be dropped off at:

City of Fargo Household Hazardous Waste
Services are restricted to residents of Fargo only.
This site is open from April to October on Mondays 9am to 5pm, Wednesdays 9am to 6pm, and Fridays 9am to 5pm and is open on the second Saturday of each month 8am to noon.
606 43 1/2 Street North, Fargo
More information: www.cityoffargo.com/solidwaste/.

RadioShack
They will recycle: NiCad Batteries and Rechargeable Batteries

Batteries Plus
They will recycle: Car Batteries, NiCad Batteries and Rechargeable Batteries

Interstate All Battery Center
They will recycle: Car Batteries, NiCad Batteries, Rechargeable Batteries and Single-use Batteries

• Use reusable sandwich wraps instead of plastic sandwich bags: A good one to try is Wrap-N-Mat, a reusable sandwich wrap and placemat in one. This is an earth friendly alternative to plastic bags. Perfect for sandwiches, cookies or any other snacks. The prints are made of a cotton/polyester blend and the lining is made with PEVA, an alternative to PVC.
  More information: HealthyKitchenware.com.

Do you have any other reusable instead of disposable tips?

My Green Side’s weekly web pick:

Earth911.com
Earth911.com is your one-stop shop for all you need to know about reducing your impact, reusing what you’ve got and recycling your trash. Get involved in our world by checking in for daily news, reading weekly feature stories, surfing product channels and opting into our weekly emails.

Editor’s Note: Each Wednesday My Green Side brings Simple Tips for Green Living to The Christopher Gabriel Program. We also highlight a favorite green site each week. You can stream the segment at approximately 1020am (CDT) every Wednesday at WDAY.com.