Kohler Care, Inc.

My husband and I have really committed this year to "Going Green"!  By shifting our thinking when it comes to the most minute of daily tasks we were able to drop our spending and our waste by at least $200/month!  For example, when I shop I ask myself 2 questions:  "Do I need this?"  And, "Can I recycle this?"  By being truthfull with my own answers (to myself), I have decreased our spending, waste, energy consumption, and increased our savings, compost, and improved air quality! 

That is easy and that is GREEN!

The following is a short list of some things we practice regularly at Kohler Care, Inc:

• Swapped out disposable batteries for rechargeables - Now, this can be expensive if you try to buy all the batteries you need at once.  Only purchase what you can afford and in the long run it will seriously save you money.  Also, our old batteries did NOT go to the landfill where they would release mercury and other toxins, they have been recycled!
• Planted 4 trees so far this year.  We have plans for 3 more trees to clean our air (especially given our proximity to I55) and the kids will help with our new butterfly garden on Arbor Day.
• Purchase recycled materials.  So far our front stepping stones are made from plastic bags, our tea party set is made from milk jugs, and we will mulch the play areas outside with recycled tires!
• Reduce waste - With a family of 4 plus our daycare family.... all in all, we throw away about 1 garbage per week.  The rest goes to the composter or gets recycled. 
• Recycled Supplies - I joined an excellent group called FREECYCLE.  They are a local group that allows you to post items you no longer use and don't want to add to the landfills.  I have given and received many items by using this organization, and the best part is it's all FREE!  Some items include our back yard climbers/slides and misc. toys, craft supplies, books......
• Reuse rather than dispose - We have severely reduce our disposable waste like: napkins, plates, utensils, cups, paper towels, TP, etc.  And instead try to use washable/reusable materials like: cloth napkins, plates, utensils, cups, towels, rags, RECYCLED TP and paper towels, etc.
• CFLs - Compact Flourecent Light Bulbs.  You can find these free most anywhere now a-days.  They even make the decorative globe and candle tip shapes now!  They use WAY less energy than standard light bulbs and last WAY longer!
• Reduced Consumption - Not only have we reduced our energy and gas consumption but we have also saved a lot of money on our utility bills.  It's simple too, turn down your thermostat, water heater, fridge, freezer, and line dry what you can.
• Compost - In January we started worm or vermi-composting.  Sounds creepy crawly, I know...but it's great!  When you send your fruit and veggie scraps to the landfills they produce major amounts of methane as they break down and decay in open air.  With composting the worms break it down and in the process create a CHEMICAL FREE fertilizer for the yard that the kids play in! 
• Homemade Cleaners - This one might sound a bit extreme to some, but is so simple and makes so much sense I had to try it.  Once I use up all of the cleaners I have purchased fromt the store I will replace them with homemade cleaners.  The recipes are simple to follow, cut the toxins in your home, and work!  It's amazing what some vinegar, lemon, baking soda, and essential oil can do!
• Next.....a rain barrel.  My plan is to conserve our water usage by watering our new garden with water captured in our rain barrel.  I don't have it yet, but I will!  :)