http://www.berkeleyside.com/2010/11/12/b...
Get your compost at Starbucks. Starbucks gives away free bags of used coffee grinds to anyone who asks for them. This will save you money and it will make your apartment smell like fresh-roasted coffee.
Stop using disposable tampons and pads. Instead, use a menstrual cup or washable cotton pads. Check out www.lunapads.com. You might also want to look into eco-friendly reusable diapers. This could save you a lot of money in the long run.
Go dumpster diving! It might sound gross but it's totally worth it. You never know what treasures you'll find. If you're too timid to try it by yourself go with a group. You can find dumpster diving groups in your area on www.meetup.com. While you're at it, here's a fun musical documentary about dumpster diving:
http://citizenshift.org/surfing-waste-mu...
There's green and then there's green washing. It's often quite difficult to determine if something is truly green despite everyone saying that it is. You do sound like you are quite environmentally friendly but reusable bags only work if you are dedicated to actually reusing them, there is an environmental cost to washing them, what are the environmental costs of the production of the lye that you use with your soap, what's the consequences of using food grade oil for your soap? Even with an apparently environmental mindset, chances are you haven't actually evaluated the impact of your decisions.
As to what you can do in addition to be greener? What do you do for your daily commute? Could you use public transit, scooter, or bike on some days? About 75% of a home's energy use is for heating and hot water? Could you add insulation, perhaps attic insulation? Can you add a hot water tank insulating blanket? Can you switch to tankless water heaters and just use the existing hot water tank as a room temperature pre-warmer? Can you add solar hot water? An indoor compost pile usually involves worms and it takes up a lot of space for a good sized compost pile but it's a good idea. The junk mail is the only thing keeping the postal service alive so it's not entirely bad plus it composts well in a hot compost pile. Babies on bicycles are a bad idea, the vibrations causes neurologic damage and leaning disabilities later in life, if you take them on a bike, you need proper suspensions for the baby as they can't lift themselves off the bike with their legs the way you can.
You're already way ahead of the curve. Find a group in your area and join them (or start one yourself). A community garden provides organic food and gives the community a sense of...community. The more people you can involve with the more ideas and resources you can share. A group can offer other ideas such as car pooling, recycling, water conservation, and more. Keep in mind that being a vegan has little to do with being green. Many non vegans are just as concerned about our planet as yourself.
I am impressed with your thought. Check the following link to know how to start an indoor composter http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-m...
First of all, thank you. You're doing quite well. And I agree that your first priority should be the care of your infant; being more sustainable and saving money are secondary, although very good goals.
To get yourself off mailing lists, check here http://www.dmaconsumers.org/offmailingli... .
I am already vegan, I don't use cloth bags for groceries and produce and such, I don't buy water bottles because I bring my own, I also homemake all of my soaps and toothpaste and such. I plan on canceling my junk mail but I have no clue how to do that so if someone knows then please tell me. Also, I plan on trying to reduce my plastic packaging that I am buying. I would also like to know how to start an indoor composter. I live in the city in a small apartment. Also if there are other things I could do that won't require to much funds (I'm kinda poor lol) and something that can be practical (I have a newborn and don't feel comfortable sticking her behind my bicycle especially in the middle of winter) thanks so much!!!
