10 reasons how the 1970s planted the seeds of green living!

10 reasons how the 1970s planted the seeds of green living!

By WorkCabin.ca


When you think about the roots of being green, you probably don't look to the 1970s. Things like leaded gasoline, leaded paint, groundwater contamination, polybromated biphenyls and DDT are more apt to come to mind. Recycling was basically an unknown word.

But upon further reflection, the seventies don't look totally eco-unfriendly. Only today can we appreciate some of the products and mentalities from that era that are being rediscovered in the 21st century.

Here's 10 things from the 1970s that are influencing us to be green today:
1. Milk in glass bottles: In the 1970s we had milk in glass bottles. Plastic jugs and later plastic bags and cardboard cartons soon replaced glass as the containers of choice for milk. Today, albeit very slowly, glass is making a comeback as an environmentally-friendly and recyclable milk container. As more consumers request glass bottled milk, more milk companies will begin to offer it again.

2. Push mowers and electric mowers: Yes, back in the 1970s many homeowners used human-powered lawn cutters or electric lawnmowers. As the years wore on, the available choice of electric lawnmowers dwindled and push-reel mowers became abandoned at the back of the garage, as gas mowers gained popularity. Today, open any home improvement catalogue and the change is dramatic: electric and electric rechargeable lawnmowers and push-reel mowers are abundant again as environmentally-friendly choices.

3. Tupperware is cool: Tupperware parties were all the rage in the 1970s. Many people couldn't seem to get enough of these handy plastic storage containers. Little did we know these people were on to a sensible green solution that fits our desire to produce less waste in landfills. Today, using reusable Tupperware-like containers is a green solution many people are choosing, rather than using plastic wrap.

4. Baking soda and vinegar: In the 1970s (and even farther back) moms everywhere had recipes for cleaning everything from sinks, carpets, windows and countertops. Chemical cleaners have existed for decades, but they seem to have grown in quantity and brands since the 1970s. Today, mom's handy cleaning solutions from years ago are far more earth friendly and are being rediscovered.

5. Packing groceries the greener way: A typical trip to the grocery store in the 1970s meant you probably packed your groceries in cardboard boxes for the trip home. Unfortunately, back then those cardboard boxes ended up in landfills. Today, some discount food stores have recyclable cardboard boxes (the same boxes used to ship food to the stores) available for customers to reuse. Many customers are also choosing reusable tote bags, rather than using plastic bags which began to overwhelm the grocery checkout scene in the 1980s.

6. Clotheslines: They were fixtures in backyards everywhere in the 1970s. Then, they began to disappear as drying machines became more popular, and clotheslines became ostracized as an eyesore on the urban landscape. Now, clotheslines are cool, they save on energy costs by not using a dryer, and previous bans are being rescinded.

7. Fans are back: Remember those tabletop fans in the 1970s? Well, maybe not if you weren’t around in that era. But take our word for it, for many people, they were the only cooling machines. Well, tabletop fans, column fans and ceiling fans are back in a big way and they use much less electricity than central air conditioning and can reduce the need to use energy-sucking central air conditioning.

8. Air conditioning-less vehicles: There was always something uncomfortable about a sticky hot day, no air conditioning, and vinyl car seats. In the 1970s that was the norm for many drivers. Air conditioning, after all, wasn't a luxury most drivers enjoyed. Today, many drivers have air conditioning, but like drivers in the seventies they're learning to live without it, or use it sparingly to conserve energy and money as fuel prices skyrocket.

9. Don't throw away clothing: It's 2008 and the 1970s look is hip again. Who would've thought that? That old saying everything old is new again applies here. It's a lesson that clothes can be recycled and handed down . . . eventually, it just may take 30 years. Bell-bottoms, anyone?

10. Plant a tree: Thirty years ago planting a tree was more likely to be part of a child's school classroom project to watch a seed germinate and then eventually be taken home to be planted in the family's backyard. It's a concept that planted a much bigger seed for furture generations. Today, planting trees has become a movement. It's no longer about one tree, one child and one classroom. School groups, scouts, girl guides, organizations and companies are taking on tree planting projects involving hundreds and thousands of trees. No doubt, many people involved in these projects remember planting one seed and watching it grow in a classroom many years ago.

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I’m really impressed with your article, I’m looking forward to see your future posts, Thank you.

This is one of the nicest articles I’ve ever read. Thanks for sharing it.

Most local farmers save a portion of their own seeds, and many share them through informal networks that draw from a specific geographic area.

Great post, one of the most informative posts on this subject online actuallly.

Thanks and keep up the great work.

Manish

Milk in glass bottles is a big one, people don’t know how bad plastic containers can be for human beings, I mean they are recyclable nowadays.  But, a lot of people don’t know that plastic is made out of oil.  And more scientists are saying that the oil from plastic is starting to leach into our day to day drinks such as milk.  That’s a little scary if you ask me!

I think the 70’s was the dawning of the realization of the bad things we were doing to our planet. The hippies of the sixties had a new thing for the 70’s and a lot of it was about naturalness and protecting the planet. I was young at that time, but I am truly grateful for those of that decade who brought attention to the facts.

I can actually add some other interesting points. Although some of the things listed were because of the gas crunches of that time, the others were part of core values that was taught to everyone. This generation (70’s) was not that far removed from the times where oil did not rule.

The adults at that time either came into the oil era or their parents did. There were still a lot of small farmers. Only the bigger cities were advanced. I was raised in the 70’s and still worked a farm, so did my father, and so did his parents.

They understood that when you took down an acre of trees, you needed to replant it. Same as yearly crops and farm animals.

We used AC for the nights ,so we could sleep comfortable and just dealt with the heat in the day because you were working outside anyway.

Lights went out at first light, you opened the drapes for light during the day.

Modern comfort has cost us a lot in the last few decades, but it looks like we will soon revisit it.

each and every reason is strong..But, a lot of people don’t know that plastic is made out of oil.  And more scientists are saying that the oil from plastic is starting to leach into our day to day drinks such as milk.  That’s a little scary if you ask me!
regards,
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Great stuff.. Keep up the good run.!

Immense.. Never know the 70’s was so magical.

Interesting, that you say about the fact that I think about it. We update and moderated the site every single day.

so we are happy they did it back then!

A very informative and well pesented helpful blog. The information was presented in an excellent manner that a inexperienced

person on the topic can understand it with ease.

Enjoyed reading it and the tips were great and truely helpful.

Keep it up.

Blog bookmarked and emailed to some friends.

To preserve our civilization, we must preserve the “wild gardens” from which our nation was carved. The prairies, meadows, and woodlands are our connection to our cultural and ecological heritage.

They really made our life better today!

Inspiring stuff to read. We have a lot to thank the 70’s for.

our nation was carved. The prairies, meadows, and woodlands are our connection to our cultural and ecological heritage.

Thanks for taking the time to post such a detailed and informative article. It has given me a lot of inspiration and I look forward to more like this in the future.