9 Simple Ways Going Green Saves You Green

by Caitlin Fitzsimmons on June 17, 2009 in Sex

Many people in business are secretly hoping the recession will kill off the growing popularity of green issues. Some others are hoping not so secretly, among them the delightful (not) Michael O’Leary of Irish budget airline RyanAir, who had this to say in February last year:

In many ways we would welcome a chill or something even colder. We would welcome a good, deep, bloody recession in this country for 12 to 18 months. It would be bloody good for the industry. It would help see off the environmental nonsense that has become so popular among the chattering classes.

In reality though, environmental issues are not going to go away, and the recession is as much an opportunity for environmentalists as a threat.

Brands that indulged in greenwash or sold a green veneer as a lifestyle gimmick are bound to suffer in these straitened economic times. I think (hope) that discriminating customers with money to spend will continue to seek out truly artisanal eco-friendly products. It’s the brands clambered on the bandwagon in an exploitative, non-genuine fashion that will suffer. I must admit I laughed at AA Gill’s scathing review of Daylesford Organic in London. On the face of things it sounds like a case in point, though I’ve never shopped or eaten there, so I reserve my judgment.

Right now it’s the value-for-money proposition that chimes with the general public. That’s probably why Rachel’s, an organic dairy brand in the UK, recently dropped the word “organic” from its brand name. Many customers regard organic produce as a luxury that they can’t currently afford. Rachel’s is still certified organic – it’s just no longer called Rachel’s Organic on its packaging.

In the battle for hearts and minds, environmentalists can also focus on selling a value-for-money proposition. Even in these tough financial times, people do still care about the environment and are paying attention to green issues. They are just looking for a way to do it without blowing the family budget. The good news is that frugality goes hand in hand with green living.

Environmentalism at its heart is not just about what you buy, though that’s important, but fundamentally about buying less. You don’t really need that new iPhone – and if you are tempted, you might want to check out this amazing photo gallery on Treehugger showing the shocking truth about where the raw materials came from.

It’s not all about deprivation, though. EcoSalon has loads of great ideas for how to save pennies and the planet without compromising on style.

Some simple ideas that will save you money and help the planet include:

Cutting down on your electricity and natural gas consumption. Turn off lights, switch appliances off at the wall, turn the central heating off completely for summer. Simple but effective.

Drive less and instead catch public transport, cycle or walk.

Use the library or book exchange websites rather than buying books.

Barter more generally, not just for books.

Can’t afford to go to the farmers’ market or buy organic brands in the supermarket? Don’t give up on organic food but instead sign up for a vegetable box scheme – you’ll get fresh, seasonal food at great prices. It’s actually often cheaper than the conventional produce in the supermarket. Or grow your own – whatever your space.

Reduce meat consumption and cook more vegetarian food – EcoSalon posts great vegetarian recipes if you need inspiration.

Practise good home economics and use up food. Remember that multi-buy deals in the supermarket are not such a great deal if you have to use it all up by the next day.

Mend your clothes or have a clothes swap. And skimp on dry cleaning.

Holiday close to home or take the train.

And, here are even more ideas. I’d love to hear from you so please share your best ideas for frugal green living in the comments.

Meanwhile, you might take a certain schadenfreude from knowing that RyanAir plummeted into the red after failing to hedge effectively on fuel prices last year. O’Leary’s latest plan to make money is to charge customers to use the toilet on board the aeroplane.

Image: AMagill

Steve
June 17th, 2009 at 11:16 AM

I agree – we can be environmental and economical at the same time. We don’t have to choose between one value or the other; we can embrace both. Green seems to lend itself by its very nature to cost efficiency, I think.

Good tips, too! We can also drive more motorcycles and Smart cars, like much of the world does.
Sara Ost
June 17th, 2009 at 12:06 PM

As a friend of mine recently said, “Why wouldn’t you go green? It’s just common sense!”
CR12
June 17th, 2009 at 12:14 PM

those looking for other green ideas and financial incentives for going green check out http://www.e3bank.com
Luanne
June 17th, 2009 at 12:28 PM

I love the reminder to use up food. I hate when the kids say there is nothing to eat. We are richer than we know. Good post, Caitlin.
Preston
June 17th, 2009 at 1:07 PM

I’m sorry, I find some of these suggestions a little silly. It’s obvious that people can save money on energy and food by not wasting what they buy. It’s also obvious that walking somewhere is free, and gasoline to power your car is not.

Don’t buy new clothes or books? Don’t go on vacation? The theme here seems to be that depriving yourself of things will mean you don’t spend money on those things.

I really don’t get the push for bartering. The most important role of currency is to normalize the relative values of goods. A monetary system allows you to sell your property for money, and use that money to acquire what you want. A barter system would mean that you’d have to find one individual selling what you want who is ALSO interested in the unique item you’re offering. That makes it much less likely for exchanges to take place. A common medium of exchange (money) allows more people to get rid of items they don’t want and acquire items they do want – they’re not limited to the inventory of one trade partner. Isn’t that a superior system?

The suggestions are all green for certain (except for the bartering one – not sure how that helps the planet?) – but as far as cost savings, they’re not terribly ground-breaking.
Sara Ost
June 17th, 2009 at 1:31 PM

Preston, don’t be sorry. If you feel they’re silly, then you feel they’re silly. Thanks for stopping by!
Caitlin
June 17th, 2009 at 1:53 PM

Preston, you are right that it doesn’t really help the planet if you are bartering new products and services in exchange for new products and services, rather than paying for it with cash. I guess I was looking at it more as something you can do with existing products and services – things you no longer need – with friends. This approach can lower consumption as well as saving a few bucks.

As for the other suggestions, you should absolutely take the advice that works for you and scrap what doesn’t. All I can say is what works for me. I don’t feel deprived if my book is secondhand – I feel deprived if I don’t have anything to read. And there are a wealth of holiday opportunities closer to home, wherever you live.

The point was how you can still be green even if money is a bit tight. I’m not advocating self deprivation if saving money is not a goal. You can support the green economy by choosing where to spend money instead. By visiting this island for example: http://www.ecosalon.com/glamping-on-wilson-island/
Pramod
June 19th, 2009 at 9:05 PM

I was interested in the vegetable box scheme you mentioned – do you have any links that I can follow to find something in the boston area ?

Pramod
Caitlin
June 28th, 2009 at 4:28 PM

@Pramod, I’m in the UK so I’m not familiar with the US equivalents, but I know they exist. This might help: http://www.localharvest.org/csa/.