Tips for Greener Living
Sometimes the idea of living greener can seem daunting in the whirlwind of our busy lives. However, in many ways going green is simpler and less expensive than what we’re already doing. Think of green living in terms of these small steps: reduce, reuse, and recycle. If we take these small steps, we’ll be actively working toward sustaining our planet. Once you take the first few steps of greener living, the ideas for reducing, reusing, and recycling will keep coming. Here are some easy tips for living a greener life today.
Reduce
According to a majority of scientists, global warming is the direct result of increased carbon dioxide and other gases in the earth’s atmosphere. And this increase is a direct result of burning more and more fossil fuels while clearing trees and forests. There are many ways to reduce fuel and energy use while saving carbon dioxide.
Reduce energy output and save carbon dioxide by switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs, budging your thermostat a few degrees down in the winter and up a few in the summer, and replacing furnace and air-conditioning filters regularly. You can also cut back on hot water washes, dryer use, long showers, needless driving, and all those other energy consumers. You can save energy (and some money on your energy bill, too) by just turning off electronic devices when you’re not using them. Unplug them from the wall and save even more. Think toasters, DVD players, computer printers, and more.
Reuse
Reusing products and materials is another important part of greener living because it reduces the amount of hard-to-biodegrade matter we put in our landfills. Before you trash it, before you recycle it, or before you buy a new one, consider whether or not you can reuse or repair an item you already have.
Reach for reusable containers instead new plastic bags when you pack a lunch or save food items in the fridge. Use cloth napkins or washable rags instead of paper napkins and paper towels. Bring your own coffee mug to the café every morning. The ideas for reuse are endless once you start thinking this way.
Donating instead of trashing usable or fixable items also falls in the reuse category. Don’t throw those leather shoes in the trash. Someone else might be able to get a few more years of use from them.
Recycle
Recycle your cans, bottles, plastics, and paper waste whenever you can. Your local waste management resource can provide detailed information about the specifics of recyclables in your area. Along the same lines, it’s also helpful to purchase recycled products whenever possible.
Five green things you can do today
- Pay your bills online. You not only save paper by not writing checks and mailing envelopes, but you also reduce fuel consumption by the trucks and planes that transport the checks.
- Adjust your thermostats. This applies to heating and air conditioning units as well as water heaters.
- Change your light bulbs. Compact fluorescent light bulbs use one-quarter the electricity of regular light bulbs and last several years longer.
- Buy locally grown food. Whenever possible, reduce the amount of fossil fuels it takes to get your food from the farm to your table.
- Start a carpool. Cut down on fuel emissions and save yourself and a few other people a lot of money on gas.
Green living may start a fresh way of thinking for you, and many aspects of it are simple to follow and can save you a little of your hard-earned money. The small steps count — they’re the ones that will make the planet a better place to live for years to come.
21 comments
My college-age son started recycling since he wa been away at college. He has gotten me to do the same, so, I recycle aluminum, news papers, plastic, glass…unfortunately, we don’t have curb-side recyling in our community, so, it all has to be taken to a recycling site. Now, I don’t have to put my big trash can out to the street except every 2-3 weeks. I find that amazing.
My family recycles as much as possible. Hopefully, my teenage boys will continue to do so as they become adults.
A few weeks ago I was reading a magazine that stated that, on average, 75% of electricity is used when appliances are not turned on; meaning appliances suck up quite a bit of electricity plugged into the wall. I found this quite shocking and have begun to unplug things around the house. Could it get any more simpler than unplugging?
Instead of wasting paper of plastic, my family carries out our groceries in reuasable -and trendy bags!
There is a great site for shopping green that also gives back in donations. Go to www.dailygreenproject.com they sell eco-friendly products with labels of “energy savings”, “recycle” and others on the product of the day. They also show who they donate to with the 10% of each sale. Just a cool site for another way of making a difference when shopping.
I didn’t realize my tv was sucking up electricity when it wasn’t on, I am going to start unplugging things. I already recycle, once a week trips to the dropsite for me as well. And I live within walking distance to the grocery store so errands don’t eat up those fossil fuels, just my own!
Buy a re-usable water bottle (check bottom for the 3 arrow triangle recycling symbol and number inside symbol, 2, 4 or 5 are acceptable and will not leach chemicals into the drinking water) fill bottle with filtered tap water (Pur or Britta – find at home improvement, drug and discount stores). Saves in so many ways: Time shopping and effort to haul home water bottles
$$$$$ to buy bottled water and fuel for your car
Most important saves the plant from bottles that take thousands of years to bio-degrade
Hers is a couple of helpful hints. You can recycle your toilet paper roll and paper towel rolls.
Also before you start you car engine put your seat belt on first. It may seem like a small thing but if everyone did it every time we get in our cars what a difference that would make.
Every little thing adds up.
Also I am sure most of you know never top your gas tank.
i have started recycling all the carboard at my work and hope to start recycling paper, glass, etc. i recycle everything at home, so im trying to help others go green too! so you should all try to recycle at you work or if your at school, most things can be recycled.
I recently downsized to an apartment. I’m low on space but refuse to stop recycling. Any tips on small space recycling?
The apartment complex I moved to does recycling. When you move in they give the list and how to prep for recycling. Right next to the dumpsters are the recycling bins, it was one of the reasons I chose this complex. I just take out the recycling with my trash. I also changed all my bulbs to compact flourescents. I use reusable bags to do my grocery shopping and I plugged all my computer and tv cords into a surge protector so I can just turn it off at night and when I am gone to help save on electricity. A little goes a long way!
My 10 year old son is a major activist and aside from yelling at construction companies that they are killing mother nature and he hopes that the company loses their job, he loves to recycle and help keep mother nature clean. We keep huge plastic garbage bags in the kitchen for our platics and cardboard and paper and glass and soda cans and then when the bags are overflowing we take a drive to our local recycling drop off and unload the bags to use and use again. He loves it and it makes me soo happy to see the proud look on his face or to watch him help other people unload their products.
I’ve been recycling for many years now, it’s a way of life. I always bring my 6 cloth bags to the grocery store each week faithfully. I do need a paper bag for my recycled papers everyother week. Our city is going from $2 trash stickers to put on our trash bags, to purple plastic bags that will cost us $2 a bag to dispose of our trash at curbside each week. The city is trying to get people to recycle more, most homes have one recycling bin, I have 3, & at times I need a 4th one!! I’m the recycling queen in my area.
I think everyone should recycle. It is a way to better life. It affects our future and those who don’t recycle are either lazy or selfish in my opinion. I enjoy recycling and make it a daily habit.
I have a way of saving paper. I take the envelopes that my bills and letters come in and I cut them up and use them for shopping lists, etc. I have also cut up the contents of the mail I recieve as long as it has a blank side.
Love your website! I have been enjoying Kashi foods for me, my husband, my toddler, and now my infant (via breastmilk). We have chosen to live Green – please visit our tips at www.livngreen.blogspot.com and www.mygreen-family.com
I have a large removal basket on the front of my beach cruiser which can also be used as a shipping basket. This eliminates the need for bags. I try to ride my bike for my smaller shopping trips to the grocery store or farmers market. Great exercise too.
I really appreciate the online coupons, but it’s terrible that a small little coupon takes up a whole sheet of paper! I’m sure it could be formatted so that all 3 coupons print on one page. An easy way to REDUCE! Are you listening Kashi? =)
I’ve been recycling for a very long time..I also buy second hand,recover my couch & chairs instead of buying,bike pretty much everyday:)
We recycle as much as we can! And, our kids have seen their parents do this for years now, so they are pros at knowing what can go in the bin!