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Go Green Poll :: What Are You Reducing?

Chad Norman — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 21:52:31 +0000

A big part of charting our family’s progress is keeping track of the “since we’ve used” items (3 years since we’ve used paper napkins, 2.5 years since we’ve used plastic bags, 2 years since we’ve used bottled water, etc). There seem to be many things that end of up in the landfill after once use, and most of these we really don’t need. Reducing our use of these things can greatly decrease the impact of our lives.

What are you working on eliminating? Oil-based gas, plastic bags, food from far off continents? Bottled water, dirty electricity, resource-intensive meat? Let us know in the new Go Green Poll.

Results from the last Go Green Poll, Summer is here – what sustainable action are you focused on?, can be viewed after the jump >>

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Go Green Poll Results: First Project of 2009

Chad Norman — Tue, 12 May 2009 21:15:45 +0000

Wow, did we really leave that poll up for 4 months?

When the year is new, you never know what people are going to do. We asked you what your priorities were for 2009, and the results were interesting. At first, supporting the local economy had a strong lead, but in the end, 43% of respondents were going to start the year off rocking reusable bags. Another 28% were focused on consuming less and buying local – one of my personal goals for 2009.

We’re pleased to see that 7% of you were going to install something solar – hopefully that number will increase in 2010. I was actually surprised that only 1% were looking for an alternative energy vehicle – maybe our readers already own Priuses?

Please take our new Summer action poll on the right. The results for the First Green Project poll are after the jump.

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What’s Your First Green Project of ’09?

Chad Norman — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 02:34:31 +0000

Our holiday green poll ending with unsurprising results: A vast majority of Go Green readers were consuming less this holiday season as a way to increase their sustainability. In troubled economic times, it makes as much financial sense as green sense to cut the consumerism cord. But don’t cut all the way – support the local small businesses that help create sustainable economic activity.

How else are you greening up this year? Let us know in our new poll (over to the right), or share something in the comments. We’re looking at green options for some home improvements this year, but have already kicked off the new year by greening up our new baby.

Feel free to participate in the holiday poll if you missed it – the more data we have the better!

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Go Green Poll Changes with the Seasons

Chad Norman — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 17:15:47 +0000

Thanks to everyone who took our Summer energy savings poll. The results showed that most of us are doing little things like adjusting thermostats and opening windows to reduce the burden on our A/C units. A few folks were using solar and attic fans, two things we want implement here at our home.

Since Fall is a great time to be green, that’s the theme of the latest Go Green Poll. Let us know what Fall-spawned green activity you’re looking forward to – the poll is to your right in our sidebar. You can also check out both polls after the jump.

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Here’s the previous poll in case you missed it.

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Go Green Poll Results Show Local Farmers Markets are Rockin’

Chad Norman — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 12:16:34 +0000

A couple months ago, we asked our readers how they were buying local food. With oil prices at an all-time-high, cooking with locally grown food can greatly reduce your impact on the environment (and save some serious cash too!)

We had 99 respondents at the time of this writing, and over 40% were shopping at local farmers markets. This is not surprising, as our area has a couple great ones. Local seafood and farms were the next targets, followed by the co-op. The Ambrose Family Farm CSA is really starting to take off (we’re members!), so I might have to bring back this poll next year and see what’s changed.

You can still take the poll and check out a list where you can buy local food after the jump.

Here are a few placed where you can pickup some locally grown grub:

If you want to take the poll, here you go:

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Charleston Wants to Buy Locally

Chad Norman — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 01:26:13 +0000

Back in January, we asked a simple question: What was your top green resolution for 2008?

As the early votes came in, the energy-related choices were slightly ahead. But as time went on, the choice became clear — Charleston, you want to buy local food and products!

Out of 130 respondents, 20% of you resolved to purchase more products that are grown or made locally. This shows a desire to decrease the carbon-imprint of far-traveling goods, but also a shift focus towards a local-thinking economy — one that can operate without creating a cascade of destructive effects downstream.

Rounding out the top five choices in the poll were: Get more involved (15%), Start using canvas bags (14%), Use less electricity at home (14%), and Reduce my waste (13%). Thanks to everyone who took the poll — we love seeing you interact with the site!

We have a few places on our Green Living Map where you can grab some local snacks, but what other sources of local goods are out there? Let us know in the comments, or in the new poll.

If you still want to take the poll, here you go:

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Turns Out Charleston Digs Composting

Chad Norman — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 16:47:26 +0000

Turning landfill-bound kitchen waste into rich gardening soil is a very sustainable practice, even in tiny suburban-sized doses. I love the idea of using free homemade soil to enrich the garden plot I’m using to grow some summer veggies, all while learning loads about biology, chemistry, and patience.

Composting is a green activity that’s a bit more involved than installing a CFL. While it’s not expensive, difficult, or time-consuming, you do have to get past the YUCK! factor. Once that happens, you still need a location, process, and commitment. Oh my.

Yet despite all that, Go Green readers have shown an overwhelming interest in recycling organic waste. In fact, at the time of this writing 51% of respondents already engage in some form of composting. That’s impressive! With only 11% saying no to composting on principle, I think the battle for hearts and minds may have been won. Now it’s time to share best practices, urge our elected officials to promote composting activities, and do our part to keep organic waste out out of the landfill.

Take the Poll >>

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Cardboard Recycling Poll Results

Chad Norman — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 15:36:43 +0000

Thanks to everyone who participated in our cardboard recycling poll. We had 50 responses at the time of this post, and I’m very impressed with the results. It seems most of us are recycling our cardboard, despite not having curbside pickup. Keep it up, and let’s keep that cardboard out of the landfill.

I’ve spoken with John down at Charleston County Recycling, and adding curbside pickup for cardboard is one of their long-term goals. They will need to upgrade their facility, trucks, and processes in order to make this happen…but it was encouraging to hear that it’s part of the plan.

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Canvas Bag Poll Results

Chad Norman — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 15:58:00 +0000

Thanks to everyone for participating in the Go Green canvas bag poll. 40% of respondents are using their own canvas bags unless they forget them…I know I’m certainly in this group. And I appreciate the honesty of the 23% who are still using store bags. I was like that less than a year ago, but once I got into the habit, using my canvas bags has been a cinch.

Avoiding plastic bags is one of the easiest green steps you and your family can take, and will truly make an impact. This simple action also educates those around you, as they see you using your canvas bag and may realize that they should too. If you need a little help getting started, check out the August 18th event of The Little Green Bag Project. They’ll be giving away bags at the Mount Pleasant Whole Foods at 11 am.

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And remember, if you can’t reduce your use by toting a canvas bag, please reuse old plastic bags or recycle them at the store. Happy shopping everyone!

Hybrid Poll Results

Chad Norman — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 12:38:06 +0000

Thanks for participating in our second poll everyone. It looks like most of our readers will be getting a hybrid when I do: the next time we buy a new car. I bet this is a common strategy that Toyota is counting on, as they ramp up production. They currently have a stranglehold on 80% of the U.S. hybrid market, and the Prius was the 9th best selling car in May. Wow!

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