It's very easy - just take a good look at your trash. Pick one item to eliminate, and figure out how to do it. Repeat as often as you can and we well all make a big difference! Before throwing anything away, ask yourself if it could be recycled, reused by someone else, donated or composted.
Share these simple steps with your friends and family (scroll down to see many more ideas). If every person who reads this, tells one person who tells one person who tells one person, who tells one person, who tells one person... you get the idea! For our planet to get cleaner, we ALL must be greener! And it's easy!
CHANGE HABITS (small changes go a long way!)
-Before going anywhere, map out where youre going to make the best use of your time and gas.
-In the summer fill your tank in the evening - hot air increases the concentration of fumes escaping from the gas pumps. Pumping gas at night (or when the temperatures are cooler) will reduce the ozone-depleting fumes released into the air
-Liquid laundry detergent is almost 80% water - a valuable, non renewable resource. If 20,000 Americans switched to powdered laundry detergent, it would save 55,000 gallons of water per year.
-Choose school supplies with as little packaging as possible (30% of the waste in our landfills comes from product packaging) and buy in bulk when possible
-If you are driving around with the cooler, beach chairs, and charcoal grill from your vacation in your trunk, you are not getting good gas mileage. An extra 100 pounds in the trunk can reduce your car's fuel efficiency by up to 2 percent, so take the time to store your stuff in your garage.
-If possible, walk or ride your bicycle or take public transportation instead of driving your car.
-Run outside instead of getting on the treadmill A 30 min workout on the treadmill uses approximately .75 kWh of energy per day. Run outside twice a week instead, and over the course of a month, you will conserve the amount of energy required to watch television for 12 hours or do 24 loads of laundry.
-Return wire hangers to the dry cleaner to be recycled Every year, 3.5 billion wire hangers end up in the landfill. Your dry cleaner will reuse wire hangers for the next customer. Most dry cleaners will even accept wire hangers in poor condition. Instead of being reused, they will likely be sent to a metal dealer or returned to the supplier. Remember that by simply , you can help to recycle, and clean trash from our planet every time you visit.
-Use a funnel to top off your car's motor oil to prevent spills. Motor oil that lands on your driveway instead of in the oil pan get washed int othe storm drain and makes it way into streams and rivers. Used motor oil is the largest single source of water pollution in the United States. More then 180 million gallons of used oil ends up in the rivers and streams every year
-Use water you've boiled your veggies in to make stocks, soups or, pour it on your garden when it's cooled.
-Drive off as soon as you start your car's engine. Modern engines don't need much time to warm up, so idling creates unnecessary pollution and mechanical wear.
-Your cell phone mobile takes a couple of hours to charge, so don't leave it plugged in overnight.
-Unplug all appliances when not in use.
-Turn your computer off at night.
-The screensaver on your computer uses the same amount of power as when it's on and being used. Switch your PC off if you're going to be away for a while.
-Replace ordinary light bulbs with energy saving bulbs that use a quarter of the electricity to produce the same amount of light.
-Turn your heating down before bedtime saves energy, and once you're tucked in you'll never notice the difference.
-Use up scraps of material from curtains, dressmaking or unwanted clothes to make beautiful personalized gift bags or reusable bags. Your gifts will look unique and you'll save bags of cash!
-If you're planning to do some spring cleaning, hold a yard sale or donate old items to a second hand shop. You'll be surprised how valuable your junk is to someone else.
-Fix water leaks
-If you're running the bath or shower waiting for the water to heat up, put a large bucket under to catch the water. Use this water for plants, pets, cleaning etc.
-Get into the habit of turning the tap off when washing your face, brushing your teeth or shaving, and only have it on when necessary. Water running when it's not in direct use is needlessly soaking up your money.
-Think before you print. Do you really need a hard copy? Use both sides of the paper if you do and add a 'think before you print' footer to your emails.
-Keep a cover on your swimming pool when it's not in use. This will decrease water loss due to evaporation by 90%.
REUSE:
Here's some items that can easily be reused:
-Keep reusable bags in your car for any kind of shopping so we dont use single use plastic bags. Great resource to get a few bags in a neat package is http://www.thetotebuddy.com (I have 6 reusable bags in my totebuddy and now I never forget my bags!)
-Reuse your blankets and towels. Bring them to a local shelter that will be glad to put them to good use and give animals a soft, warm place to sit.
-Reuse seeds from fruit and vegetables and try to grow them!
-Reuse old plastic bags. There are 22 creative ways to reuse plastic bags here http://www.betterbudgeting.com/articles/frugality/plasticgrocerybag.htm.
-Cut used pieces of paper into scrap pieces of paper (a message pad!).
-Reuse stove heat by opening up the stove once you are done with it and letting the warm air into your home in colder weather. Reuse the heat!
-Reuse coffee grinds by keeping them aside and placing them into your garden or soil.
-Reuse coffee that you don't drink by putting it over ice and placing it in the fridge for an iced coffee later.
-Reuse Christmas trees (not the fake ones) by putting them outside for birds and letting it naturally break down.
-Reuse packing peanuts, air pillows, bubble wrap and boxes for your own ebay shipping, or bring them by the local post office or recycling center for others to use, or here are 10 other innovative ways to use them http://green.yahoo.com/blog/daily_green_cheapskate/37/10-creative-ways-to-reuse-packing-peanuts.html.
-Reuse pens and art supplies by donating them to local schools.
-Reuse your old carpet. Even slightly dirty carpets can have a second life http://www.low-impact.net/index.php/20090103/reusing-old-carpet/
-Reuse your old food scraps by composting them.
-Reuse your used margarine and butter tubs by cleaning them and keeping them for leftovers (free ziploc containers!).
-Reuse old clothing by donating it to a local charity.
-Reuse the stuffing from old pillows and comforters into new items. Reuse the pillow covers for rags.
-Reuse used wrapping paper and save it for next year.
-Reuse newspaper, interesting magazines, and other paper products by using them as wrapping paper or shred and put in compost pile.
-Reuse kiddie pool water on plants and shrubs.
-Reuse your old paint by finding things to paint in your home, touch up, or donate it to a local charity.
-Reuse your old toilet paper rolls http://www.infobarrel.com/Toilet_Paper_Roll_Crafts_-_Five_Great_Ways_To_Recycle_Toilet_Paper_Rolls.
-Reuse old wallpaper and turn it into one a table top (cover with glass) or shelf/drawer liners
-Never throw away an old book, donate it to a library or to your recycling center, or a school! They can reuse it.
-Reuse old curtains as rags for cleaning your car or make a reusable bag.
-Reuse your old electronics by selling them on Craigslist or on eBay or donate.
-Reuse old glass containers with lids and save them for leftovers, or, make your own jam or jelly. Food safe airtight glass containers would be great for storing rice, pasta, sugar and flour.
-Reuse your old toothbrush and use it to clean hard to reach areas like around the sink, your drains, faucets and grout.
-Save stale bread and give it to the birds in the backyard (be sure to rip it small enough so they can eat it!).
-Make a piece of artwork with your old metal cans http://www.cultcase.com/2008/05/art-of-can-reusing-tin-cans-as-art.html.
-Make your own checker set by reusing your old bottle caps.
-Sell or donate your old cellphone to the one of many companies out there.
-Sell old clothing and let others reuse it or donate it.
-Reuse popsicle sticks with these ingenius, crafty ideas http://www.squidoo.com/popsiclesticks
-Reuse metal & plastic coffee cans: http://www.ehow.com/how_4847437_reuse-coffee-cans-containers.html
-Create amazing items from used Altoids containers http://www.wikihow.com/Reuse-an-Empty-Altoids-Tin
-There are at least five ways you can reuse your old drinking straws http://www.ehow.com/how_5850183_reuse-plastic-straws.html and purchase a glass straw and bamboo holder here www.glassdharma.com
-Reuse old aluminum foil by judging whether you it is clean enough to use again. If you're using it for bread or dry goods, you should be able to shake it off and set it aside for next time (provided it is clean).
-Reuse old spray bottles by first making sure they are okay to reuse (see the back of the bottle) and filling them with water to spray plants.
-Reuse your old CDs and DVDs with these tips http://www.wikihow.com/Reuse-and-Recycle-Old-CDs-and-DVDs.
-Reuse your old yard debris! Leaves, lawn cuttings, and wood chips naturally fertilize and add nutrients to your soil.
-If you receive a gift in a gift bag, save it for another occasion and reuse that bag!
DIFFERENT KIND OF RECYCLING
-Plastic bottle caps can be taken to any Aveda Salon they melt them down and use them for their products
-Capri Sun Juice Packets can be sent to Terra Cycle http://www.terracycle.net and they make back packs and purses out of them
-Shoes can be taken to Nike http://www.nikereuseashoe.com/for recycling
-Flip Flops can be sent to Nigeria for recycling http://www.uniqueco-designs.com/
-Pens can be sent to Terra Cycle http://www.terracycle.net and they refill them
-Ink cartridges can be taken to any Costco http://www.costco.com for refilling
TRAVEL TIPS
-The Green Hotels Association () has a comprehensive list of hotels in every state that have implemented programs to conserve resources and reduce waste.
Below are ways to think ahead and Precycle:
buy items in bulk and avoid individually wrapped items
avoid non-compostable and non-recyclable packaging
buy loose fruits and vegetables instead of packaged
buy concentrates because they last longer and then recycle the container make double sided copies when you have to print
use reusable coffee and travel mugs
use washable plates and utensils instead of disposable
bring your own canvas or reusable bags with you to the store; don't use the store's bags
avoid junk mail http://www.catalogchoice.org/
use cloth napkins instead of paper use People Towels http://www.peopletowels.com
use rechargeable batteries
learn to freecycle: give it away instead of throwing it away
donate used toys, clothing and even appliances to charities and non-profit organizations
find clever ways to reuse common household items
compact fluorescent bulbs are more energy efficient and they also last longer than regular incandescent bulbs
save used brown paper bags, twist ties, plastic food bags, foam packing chips, boxes, gift wrap, holiday cards for reuse
borrow or rent items you only use occasionally or consider buying and sharing that equipment with friends or family
Carpet remnants can be used for:
use a small mat for a garage, basement or mudroom
line the bottom of where you store your pots and pans, it keeps things quiet
use as a pet mat in a doghouse
Glass jars can be used for:
use for canning and/or for storing sauces
fill with candies or cookies
decorate them anyway you want and give as gifts
store coins and even make slit in lid and have a piggy bank
Old greeting cards can be used for:
some schools, daycare centers and churches take old greeting cards for craft projects
use a nice one as a bookmark
use an old card to make your own card with new photographs or drawings
Corks can be used for:
attach a cork to boat keys, if they end up in the water they will float
they make great fish hook holders
slide a dull razor blade through a cork to get a few more uses out of the razor
Sheets & Tablecloths can be used for:
cut to make placemats, aprons, laundry bags
cut for runner-size pieces and add decorative trim
cut and hem to make lint-free kitchen towels
Bathroom Ideas:
toilets are your home's largest water consumer, so get a 1.6 gpf (gallons per flush) low-flow toilet
use less than 2.5 gpm (gallons per minute) low-flow showerhead
take shorter showers; and do take showers, not baths because they use less water
use recycled, chlorine-free toilet paper and tissues
unplug items when not in use (blow-dryers, curling irons, etc.)
use petrochemical-free care items
use CFL vanity bulbs; as in every room in your house use compact fluorescent light bulbs
use can use vinegar, baking soda mixed with water to clean most almost everything; these are much less toxic than commercial cleaners
Kitchen Ideas:
unplug items when not in use (toasters, blenders, etc.) use a microwave oven or a toaster oven for smaller meals instead of the oven
use Energy Star appliances; you can find them here
only run dish-washer when full
use CFL bulbs (compact fluorescent light bulbs) http://www.energystar.gov/
Bedroom
use natural-filled mattresses and pillows
organic-untreated cotton bedding
use CFL bulbs (compact fluorescent light bulbs)
Living Room
unplug or turn off power strip of electronics (TV, DVD player, DVR, video game console, etc.) when you go to bed at night
clean carpets regularly with HEPA filter vacuums
hardwood, bamboo and cork floors are great alternatives to carpet
close fireplace dampers when not in use
use CFL bulbs (compact fluorescent light bulbs)
Laundry Room
use Energy Star appliances; you can find them here
use the cold water setting on your washing machine
set water heater to 120 degrees; every increase of 10 degrees increases your energy bill up to 5%
clean the dryer lint traps to ensure the dryer runs efficiently
when you can, dry your clothes on a clothesline
washing machines and dryers work more efficiently when full; this will also reduce the loads
use CFL bulbs (compact fluorescent light bulbs)
Entire House
use low or no VOC (volatile organic compounds) wall paint
lower thermostat in the winter and raise thermostat in the summer; you can save 3% for every degree
natural area rugs and carpeting
look into a solar water heater
replace furnace filters every month
have your home properly insulated and sealed
close blinds and curtains during the day during hot months
close blinds and curtains during the night during cold months
use CFL bulbs (compact fluorescent light bulbs) in every room of your house
Lawn & Garden
water lawn sparingly
don't use synthetic pesticides
grow bamboo
make your own compost bin and collect organic material and eventually you'll have your own fertilizer
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