“Project Efficient Home” is my name for what I think is a pretty cool idea.

Back Story:
My fiancé and I are looking for our first place together. We both have lived with our parents for so long we have almost nothing to start our new home with. What we do know is that we want to be very conscientious of the planet, and in our new life together, be sure that we do our part to preserve this Earth for our children’s children’s children. We hope to live by the principle "Do No Harm".

Project Efficient Home
Overall Project Goals:
1. Decrease our waste production, and our carbon footprint.
2. Post to my blog at least once a week, if not more
3. Increase awareness for recycling and reducing waste production
4. Show my support for local business, and show that it is easier and more cost-efficient to use these local gems rather than Big Business.
5. Find easy ways for the everyday busy person to save the planet, and save money!

Phase 1: Recycled Home

Since we have little to no household objects, I have decided I will not buy a single household item. That's right. I am not going to buy any furniture, kitchenware, or anything. I will completely furnish my house with items that other people would otherwise be throwing out, thereby reducing the amount of garbage in landfills.

I realize that I could also buy things from thrift stores and garage sales, but that wouldn't be as much of a challenge! In the long run, I plan on buying all clothing, and other things I may need from these sorts of places if I cannot find it, but I hope I won't need to!

The Rules:
1. I can not purchase anything for my home from any store whatsoever. This includes furniture, paint, house wares, linens, gardening supplies, appliances, etcetera. The only exception (obviously) would be toiletries, food, light bulbs, and cleaning supplies. However, I will try to get these things if I can. All of these types of items must be recycled/ energy efficient/ non harmful to the environment.
2. Everything must be acquired locally. Obviously, if I have to drive 100 miles to acquire something, I would be doing more harm than good.
Phase 2: Organic Home
Goal 1: Once we have established ourselves in our new home, I will begin a potted garden, using only organic supplies. I will try to grow as much of my own food as possible. That which I can not grow, I will buy in local stores or at the local farmers market. As much as possible, I will purchase organic foods.
Goal 2: Any paints, detergents and cleaning supplies used must be plant based, and safe for the environment.

The Rules:

1. Only organic/recycled/non-pollutant materials may be used.
2. All items for garden must be acquired via guidelines for Phase 1.
3. If an item needed cannot be found, it may be purchased, as long as it follows rule 1

Phase Three: Happy Home
Goal : Continue to follow these rules in the new home for an entire year, or more.

The Rules:
1. Any items that cannot be found for free after 6 months may be purchased from a consignment/ thrift/ antique store, or a garage sale.
2. Any items that we find we have in excess may be sold in a garage sale, or consigned, and anything left must not be thrown out, but donated to charity, unless it is not in a useable condition.
3. We must continue to reduce our waste and carbon footprint in any way possible.