Jenna Elfman Gets Obsessed. In A Good Way.
We know her as Dharma and she’s married to Bodhi, but these days Jenna Elfman’s taking eco-consciousness to a whole new level in her work with Healthy Child, Healthy World, a national non-profit for children’s environmental health. We wonder where she gets the time: This year alone, catch this busy mom on the big screen in “The Six Wives of Henry Lefay,” with Elisha Cuthbert and Tim Allen and “Love Hurts,” with Janeane Garofolo and Carrie-Ann Moss. Elfman took a break to talk about her eco-favorite obsession (and we mean that literally): Recycling.
ES: When did you start getting involved in eco-consciousness?
JE: Actually, back in the 80s, we really started recycling in our home. So ever since the 80s, really.
ES: How important do you think these kinds of changes are for you, personally?
JE: Well, I just find it very hard once you have knowledge about something, to not take responsibility for what you know. So for me, I kind of go out of my way to recycle. Otherwise, my conscience can’t handle it!
ES: What about for the planet?
JE: Well, it’s pretty obvious that if there are things you can do, especially easy things, that will help preserve this earth, why wouldn’t you do them? Also, children need a place to live and grow into the future. I can’t handle the idea of landfills taking up space that are full of things and objects that could have been recycled.
I have two trashcans in the kitchen, one for trash and one for recycling. I also recently placed extra containers next to the trash containers in the bathrooms and in my office for recycling. You’d be surprised the amount of things that can be recycled from other rooms in the house! And if there isn’t a recycling container easily within reach, it’s easy to forget to take it to the kitchen and put it the recycling bin there. So now more things are getting recycled in my house and that makes me feel better.
ES: How do you find time to be greener while managing the demands of motherhood?
JE: I admit, I am not some perfect, green, mother person. But I do use planet/baby-friendly household cleaners, detergent, diapers, wipes, baby soaps/shampoos, flooring, paint, crib mattress and bottles. Plus, all the recycling. It’s a start in the right direction. I learned a lot since getting involved with Healthy Child, Healthy World. They’re awesome.
ES: What is your secret for staying centered and balanced while juggling work and motherhood?
JE: I really put my attention on staying present and just doing what I’m doing while I’m doing it! Otherwise, it’s easy to feel dispersed and overwhelmed when you’re trying to do too many things at once and you end up feeling like you’re never in the moment, because actually, you’re not. I find just staying present, but really productive, has helped me stay centered and balanced. Also, finishing those things once I’ve started them has really helped, too.
ES: How did motherhood change your outlook on the environment?
JE: Motherhood has really connected me to and given me an expanded view and perception of “future” that I never had before. So then I immediately started feeling more aware and responsible for the consequences of all my actions with regard to how they were going to affect my son and his current and future life and environment. It certainly upped my “game.”
ES: What’s the biggest green change you’d like to make in your life—even if it’s impossible right now?
JE: I would really love to have a home that’s completely solar-powered.
ES: What’s your favorite eco-friendly tip our readers should know about?
JE: This may sound odd and it certainly lacks aesthetic value, but I really encourage everyone to visit the website of their city’s sanitation department and get the full list of all things that are recyclable. It’s unbelievable how many things are acceptable! Also, I’m really focusing more now on drinking from my purified water system in my house instead of drinking bottled water. Oh, and turn off the lights if you’re not going to be in the room! (That’s a new one for me.)
ES: Who’s your eco-idol and why?
JE: Christopher Gavigan [CEO and Founder of Healthy Child, Healthy World] because he is really taking responsibility to make eco-education fun and easy for people to learn and incorporate into their lives for themselves and for their families.
ES: What’s your worst eco-sin?
JE: I’m sure I have worse, but throwing a plastic container or cardboard coffee cup holder into a regular trash bin.
ES: What’s the best green advice you ever received—and who gave it to you?
JE: All the easy eco-tips at www.healthychild.org. And I also love www.greencradle.com.
