Is Garbage Your Green Inspiration?

Written by:
Melissa Moog

Melissa is a WAHM who happily gave up her high tech career to become a mompreneur focused on helping families make the best green choices.

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What was the defining moment for you when you decided to become more conservation-minded? Maybe you were raised that way. Maybe it was gradual and just happened over time. Perhaps you moved to a state where green was “in”, or you had children and worried about the impact products had on them. For me, it was my pets and a move to Oregon. When I first moved to Oregon, I remember overhearing a conversation on garbage. Two people were competing with each other over how often they needed to put their trash out for pick up. The record between the two of them was once a month. I first thought this was just a wacky topic for conversation. Interestingly enough, it stayed with me and got me to think more about how much trash I generate. The other turning point revolved around spraying the garden with insecticide. I was all dressed up in this crazy, full-body, heat-generating garb sweating my brains out to try to limit my contact with the stuff. I thought, OK, this is way too much clothing and gear, and I still think some of it is getting through. Do I really want my animals marching around here even after it has dried? It just seemed wrong. There had to be a better way.

There is a lot more press now about the environment and global warming, so awareness is heightened in general which is good. However, it is still interesting to study what focuses people on being green. Why is that? For me, it is because if we know what motivates people to be green, it will help us motivate others to move that direction. Even if you just do some of the little things, it really adds up over the millions of people in the US and all over the world.

I would love to hear your stories on turning green. Was there a turning point for you? What was it? Have you been able to persuade others to do more? How? No matter what you are doing, small or large, it is just great that you are doing something.