Many people don't know where to start so I have compiled a short list of ways that you can make a difference in your household and pass the information on to family and friends. Start the New Year off right by Going Green.
Here are ten inexpensive, simple ways to Go Green.
1. Walking: If it is possible walk to school/work or even the store. This will not only cut down on air pollution from your car but also improve your health. In today's society where people face obesity, this is a great way to exercise and Go Green at the same time.
2. Recycle and Reuse: Everyone drinks water and if you are someone who drinks spring water vs. tap water you could cut down on the plastic water bottles in our landfills by recycling and reusing them. Many grocery store chains (i.e. Wies Market) have spring water stations where you can take your jugs and for a small fee fill the jugs back up with fresh spring water.
3. Replace: Replace older appliances with new energy efficient ones. Now this maybe something that could be costly but if you do one every year it can help you Go Green within several years. This change may also be tax deductible. Check with your local government agency to check on any tax deductions that you may be entitled too. Check out the U.S. government's Energy Star program homepage to find out more about how you could be saving money on energy costs and help the environment at the same time.
4. Lights out: Replace your existing light bulbs in your house with new energy efficient light bulbs. This could save you money on your electric bill but can help the environment because you will be replacing them less. Most energy efficient light bulbs have a 3-5 year life span.
5. Inspect: Check the cleaning products in your home for what chemicals are in them and replace them with Eco-Friendly cleaning products. Many people don't think about the products they use to clean and where it goes when it is sent down the drain or sewer. By switching to eco-friendly cleaning products, you can be assured that the products that are going down the drain or sewer will be friendly to our environment and make a difference in going green.
6. Compost: Return your organic waste to your soil. Put you banana peels, potatoes peels, coffee grounds etc. into a compost pile. If you recycle your food and garden waste, you'll reduce the amount of energy used to send this waste to the dump. Compost can also make your plants stronger and healthier, reducing the need for fertilizers. Check out the many sites available to purchase a composter.
7. Laundry: There are many ways to go green when doing laundry. Use eco-friendly laundry products. Do smaller load and/or spread out the time to do your laundry. Don't do all the loads on the same day. The easiest and even the most cost effective way to go green is when at all possible hang your clothes outside to dry. When it is not possible, make sure your dryer is an energy efficient dryer.
8. Soaps: You wash your hands many, many times a day but how many of those times do you stop and look at what is in the soap you are using to wash them. Some soap products have chemicals in them that can harm our water systems and/or septic systems and we are not even aware of them. By purchasing eco-friendly soaps you can get your hands clean without harming your septic or water systems. There are many all natural products that can also leave our hands smelling great and being free of germs at the same time.
9. Plant Trees: When at all possible plant a tree in your yard or your community. Planting a tree in your yard or community will help minimize the effects on global warming and can also add to the beauty of your yard or community. Trees not only add to the value of your property but can also help control many aspects of nature (i.e. control run off, capture dust particles, etc.) Just think if everyone planted one tree a month how beneficial this would be to the economy and the environment not to mention the beauty.
10. Toys: Many people don't think of their children's toys when they think of going green. However, they can be just as important. One major toxin that can be found in toys is BPA. This toxin can cause many effects on your children from brain development to reproductive and behavior in children. Many toys were tested and may were found to include this toxin. As a parent I do not believe that any toy no matter how much my child may love it is worth risking their health to play with. There are other alternatives such as Eco-Friendly toys. Toys that are made from 100% recycled plastic milk jugs. Toys that have no BPA Phthalates or PVC.
These are just 10 ways that you can go green without breaking the bank and not really cause radical change in your lifestyle. However, these changes can have a positive effect on the environment. I hope these tips will help you encourage you and your family, friends and even neighbors to Go Green!! After all we don't own the world it is borrowed from our children.
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