Go Green with EtsyChai – Water Conservation

This final article in the “Go Green with EtsyChai” series comes from Rachel Swirsky of Phony Art, in Israel.

“When you live on the edge of a desert, in a country that is in the middle of a decade- long water shortage, water conservation is something you do not think about. No seriously, I am not joking. I almost never think about water conservation- mostly because it has become so much a part of my daily activities that thinking about it would be a waste of water.

I know how strange that sounds, but it's true.

Growing up in Canada I remember learning that I should shut off the water while I was brushing my teeth so that I would not waste water.  Some days I remembered; most days I forgot. Even if I did shut off the water for those 30 seconds - what difference did it really make when I knew my mom ran every dish under a continuously running strong stream of water before putting them in the dishwasher?  Once I was older I remember going to look at new washing machines and having to think about whether paying extra for the water saving machine was worthwhile - before deciding that the extra was just not in our budget. We HAD to follow the little ways to save water, but the big ways were mostly optional.

Here [Israel] it is a totally different ballgame. One of the first projects my daughter made in school was a laminated sign for her bathroom sink that read "Lishmore al kol tipat" (save every drop). In her world, teeth brushing never involves running water for longer than to wet the brush and clean it after. When people were visiting and they let the water run she was frantic about banging on the door to get them to turn it off. When we wash dishes we follow the same pattern. Water is for wetting things, and then for removing soap. We wet the plates, turn off the water, then soap them up from a saucer of soap and put them in a pile to be rinsed off quickly. When we went to look for appliances here, water efficient models were the only ones available. No idea if they would be more or less expensive (if there was a comparison) because there was no other option. Everything from low-flow gravity-assisted toilets to sensors on trees to tell the farmer when they need water are part of the regular order of things around here. I really live in a world where I do not need to think about how to save water.

With as much water as there is on this world, fresh water is at a premium. The one source for Israeli freshwater is the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee)- and it is shrinking fast. It has fallen below so many different "emergency lines" that Israel has turned to painting new ones.

This is not to say we limit the water we do need. From April to October everyone everywhere carries a water bottle or three. Everywhere you go you see fountains flowing with liters and liters of recycled wet stuff.

Israeli's are incredibly proud of their mastery over water. Over the last 60 years Israeli's have drained the Northern swampland and brought water to the dessert. They have found new ways to keep farms watered using the barest minimum of H2O. Israeli farming methods like drip irrigation are now helping to bring farms and food to third world countries around the globe. 

So please, take a moment to remember to turn off the tap when you are brushing your teeth. That little bit of water can feed a thirsty tree, which will in turn feed a hungry person.”

- Rachel Swirsky of Swirsky Designs and PhonyArt

          

How do you conserve water where you live?

Go Green with EtsyChai – Living Green Part II

“We recycle our newspapers, magazines and anything else our recycling company
will take at home.”
-Terri of Terrbear37

 

“For many years I've recycled everything and anything I'm able to ... When knitting my samples of my patterns I try to use Eco friendly yarns. I do this ESPECIALLY in my packing materials for those things that need to be mailed. For my small packages of jewelry I have always gone to my local optometrist’s offices and asked for the boxes they get the eye glass frames mailed to them in. They are lovely, strong and all I have to do is remove the labels.
I go to the shipping depot for our local school system for other boxes, packing peanuts (when needed) and bubble wrap.
Then there's the local paint & paper store where I pick up their discontinued wall paper sample books. These I use for making envelopes I ship the knitting needles in. I also use the paper to make small size envelopes to slide my business card in so that it's not just floating around in the package like confetti.
I love being creative in this way and people love receiving the packages, because it looks like a gift and not just a generic paper envelope. Also, my post office people love seeing all of the variations I come up with and try hard not to cover up any more of the design than is necessary when they put all of the packing labels on for the postage and insurance.
I've always thought that if you can find a second - or even third use for something, why not? It not only saves me money (which as we all know is as scarce as hen's teeth at the moment), but keeps trees from being cut down and reduces waste to our landfills.
-Sandra  of A Cache of Jewels

“Choosing environmentally sound ways to live and work has been a way of life for me since my teens.  When a workplace or my townhouse was throwing paper in the trash, I made sure to sign us up for recyclables pick-up (in the past, we’d get paid for paper, payments have changed over the years but pick up was always free).  Currently, I’m on my local Solid Waste Commission to promote better recycling in the schools and the community, volunteering my time to get the word out.
At home, I try to minimize chemical use – it’s amazing how much cleaning can be done with vinegar and baking soda – it’s nice to see that there’s lots of non-toxic options now available to purchase, too.” 
-Tammy (tamdoll) of SILVER Mountain Originals

Go Green with EtsyChai - Leave a Leaf On Anne Frank's Tree

If you have not visited the site... you really should. It is very inspiring to read the leaves left by people all over the world. If you haven't left one... do so...

Anne Frank Tree – An Interactive Monument

- Sandra of A Cache Of Jewels

Go Green with EtsyChai - Reduce Reuse Recycle

Some EtsyChai members sell reusable items, others “upcycle” in their product line, or as part of their business.   Read on to see how …

 

Tamdoll creates with upcycled textiles and uses recycled packaging to send out most of her orders. “I get bubble mailers from the library and re-label and tape them back up to do all my shipping.” 
              

 

Enid of HaleyStudio has this to say: “I strive to recycle materials, minimize waste and bring a fresh perspective to the traditional crafts.”  This upcycled wine trivet shows her dedication to her craft!

 

Goofingoff has some really creative reuses at her shop.  Pretty embroidered potholders from upcycled clothing, personalized pendants from rescued stained glass, and salvaged gems.
     

 

AnotherCreation’s mixed-media creations feature bits of nature inside:

 

  Terri of Terrbear says: “We recycle our newspapers, magazines and anything else our recycling company will take at home.”  She also makes creative reuse of packaging in her beautiful items:

 

Leslietsy has an entire shop section devoted to reuse: Ripe for Recycling.  In her Hearts, Hands, Lockets, there are dozens of vintage lockets and other goodies that crafty folks can get creative with. At her Creative Block shop, you might even see a Junkyard Angel.

      

 

Doodlage creates with upcycled papers:

 

  Christine of Beads of Paradise has this to say:  “I always save my packing material and reuse it!”

    

Linda of Linda B’s Beaded Jewelry also reuses packing supplies and “…recycles newspapers, magazines, glass bottles and cans. Plus, I use recycled beads and bottlecaps (washed with bleach) for my bottlecap jewelry designs.”

Be sure to keep reading throughout January 2010 to see who’s donating trees, who has “green” items, and what kind of environmental tips you can learn from EtsyChai teammates.

Do you recycle in your business or in your home?

Go Green with EtsyChai – Promotions & Specials for You!

We have EtsyChai Team members buying trees in honor of this TuB’Shvat, we have team members recycling and sharing their eco tips with you in posts later this month… Today’s feature is about promotions, specials and sales.  Read on and check comments, too!

Be sure to read all seller’s Shop Announcements and contact individuals if you have any questions. 

Barb of BlazingNeedles is offering 10% off all cacti in her shop:

(I like these, they won’t hurt your hand! – Tamdoll)

 

During this month’s promotion, mention GOGREEN in the notes to seller at the Doodlage shop and you’ll receive snippets of handmade Japanese papers - perfect for crafts, scrapbooking and more.

(Paper scraps will be chosen by the seller, picture just shows a sample.)

 

Leslietsy will include FREE, with purchase, any item in her Ripe for Recycling section that is labeled half price sale or something similar. Be sure to CONVO Leslietsy to remove it—”if you put it in your cart it has to be paid for!”

 

LindaB’s GoGreen Sale is 15% off purchases totaling $15 (some items are excluded, along with shipping and tax). At Linda B’s Beaded Jewelry shop, be sure to use GOGREEN in Notes to Seller. Please CONVO Linda for a price change before you complete checking out.

Remember, be sure to read all seller’s Shop Announcements and contact individuals if you have any questions. 

Come back all through January 2010 to see who’s donating trees, who uses recycled materials in their business and what kind of environmental tips you can learn from EtsyChai teammates around the world.