Green Your Home in Five Easy Steps

Meet Our Family of Apple Growers

Ever wondered where the apples in Musselman’s apple sauce come from? They come from American family farms. Musselman’s is actually a grower-owned cooperative made up of more than 150 fruit growers and their families, providing the best quality fruit for the best quality Musselman’s products. Read about four of our families and learn more about Musselman’s commitment to the environment.

Your to-do list stretches a mile long: walk the dog, schedule the dentist appointment, get snacks for the soccer team. The thought of adding anything else seems daunting. When it comes to greening your lifestyle, though, you don’t have to add more items to your to-do list. Instead, focus on making small changes in your daily routine that will not only help the environment but also simplify your life. Below are a few ideas:

Turn it off. Turning off a light is simple — if you’re in the habit of doing it. Ask your kids to help you remember to turn off the lights, television, and ceiling fans when you leave a room. By cultivating this one simple habit, you can save big.

Conserve water. The average American family uses about 100 gallons of water each day, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, at a cost of $500 annually. Even a few small changes can substantially reduce the amount of water your family uses — and save you money. Ditch one-time-use plastic water bottles and buy each family member a reusable bottle instead. Turn off the water when you’re brushing your teeth or working in the kitchen, and shorten the length of your showers by just a few minutes.

Reuse resources. Remember Grandma’s adage? “Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.” This Depression-era advice still rings true today. At our apple orchards, for instance, some of the wooden bins we use are repairable. Once the harvest season is over, the bins are repaired to be used again. At home, think carefully before you make a purchase or throw something away. Recycle glass, paper, and plastic, and send used clothing and household goods to a local charity.

Get a green thumb. Gardening is a wonderful way for children to connect with nature. Grow a vegetable garden and teach your kids about composting, soil management, and good gardening practices. If you live in an urban area, consider joining a community garden or getting involved in one of many urban farming programs created to grow fresh, healthy foods in the inner city. Keep a few houseplants indoors, as well. Houseplants can purify the air inside your home of harmful chemicals, such as formaldehyde and benzene, according to a long-term study by NASA.

Hoof it. Reduce your dependence on your car. Walk to the library, school, or store whenever possible. Walking to school not only helps the environment, but it lets kids burn off excess energy and encourages physical activity. Many states such as New York even sponsor “Walk to School Day” to encourage this healthy habit. If you live in a rural area where distances are too great to cover on foot, then try arranging a carpool with a neighbor or friend. You’ll be surprised by how much gas you can save over time by reducing your driving time a minimal amount.

Greening the environment can seem like an overwhelming task, but it’s really about making small changes in how we live and work every day. Involve your whole family in taking care of your place on the planet. Over time, those eco-friendly habits can make a big difference.