We found 145 results tagged with "eco-friendly"
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12 Articles found
Taking a Bite out of Climate Change: 5 Easy Steps
The connections between what we eat and our environment may be numerous and complex, but making climate-friendly food choices is easy. Here are 5 easy ways you can take a bite out of climate change.
How To... Make a Birdseed Wreath
It’s easy to bake this birdseed wreath using readymade bread dough from your local grocery. Adorn with peanut butter and lots of birdseed, hang it up outdoors, and get ready to watch the feast.
How To... Make Your Own Baby Wipes
You can make your own baby wipes using items you probably already have on hand—baby wash, baby oil, pure clean water and fabric scraps or recycled paper napkins or paper towels.
Living the Green Life: Five “Eco-Principles”
How to apply eco-friendly concepts to home-building and renovation as well as to everyday habits.
Sustainable Living Made Simple
Looking for fresh ideas to go green at home? Start with these simple tips.
How To... Create a Sun Lantern
Make a decorative sun lantern using recycled materials.
Eco-Friendly Grilling
Learn more about reducing your carbon footprint when using the grill.
Adventures in Local Eating
The best part about local eating is the adventure it creates around food and its enjoyment.
Natural Home Cleaning
Choosing environmentally friendly alternatives keeps your home healthy and also helps the earth.
Composting: Good for Plants and the Planet
Composting is a relatively simple and inexpensive way to create beneficial mulch.
Tips for Greener Living
Going green is simpler than you might think. Just remember: Reduce, reuse, recycle.
Sustainability
We're working hard to reduce our environmental footprint. We recognize that it's a journey. Check in regularly for updates on our progress.
133 Challenges
133 Challenges found
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Sustainable seafood
What’s currently on the “safe” list when it comes to seafood? The Monterey Bay Aquarium has a new list out that identifies species that are good for both humans (i.e., low in toxins) and oceans. Be sure to note their special qualifiers and source notes, as they can mean the...
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Research waterless washers
Later this year, consumers may see the launch of a pioneering clothes washing method. A British chemist has created a nearly waterless washer called the Xeros. Relying on highly absorbent beads, or chips, that draw dirt into their cores — and can be used hundreds of times — the...
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Freshen your flowers
Cut flowers are an extravagance that should be enjoyed as long as possible. Today, challenge yourself to take extra steps to keep yours fresh naturally. Some tips:• Cut stems using a sharp knife or scissors. Run stems under cool water.• Add a spoonful of sugar and a few drops of lemon juice to...
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Dispose of drugs (correctly)
As with most everything else, there is a right way and a wrong way to dispose of unused or expired medications. In fact, this issue is so important that the U.S. government now has an entire Web site devoted to it. Though the rules are continually being evolved, some basic principles to safe...
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Learn more about "Made in the USA"
What does a domestic origin really mean when it comes to sustainability? Turns out, it can mean quite a bit. Products manufactured overseas have a bigger carbon footprint for the ultimate buyer, wherever your home base. Also, products made in the U.S. usually provide local jobs. Plus, American labor...
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Plant a butterfly bush
What could be lovelier than watching swallowtails, cabbage whites, monarchs, or other butterflies swooping gracefully around your garden? Welcoming pollinators like butterflies to your garden requires choosing plants with attractive nectar for baby caterpillars, like zinnia, marigold, milkweed...
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Bee welcoming
Did you know that only female bees sting, and few bee species are aggressive toward humans? Honey and bumblebees are natural visitors to our gardens. You can welcome them by providing sun-baked, sandy, dry-soil areas for solitary types to nest. (Some species prefer log piles and hollow reeds.) And...
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Forgo fragrance
The presence of “fragrance” in the ingredients list of cosmetic and personal care products usually denotes synthetics. According to the Environmental Working Group, a loophole in U.S. law allows potentially hazardous chemicals to be called “fragrance” in such products. Why...
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Switch to refillable containers
How many of your food, personal care, and household products do you store in reusable, refillable
containers? Many of us go the extra mile to reuse shopping bags and invest in natural products, but
buying stuff in bulk requires a little more pre–planning. Today, challenge yourself to make...
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Throw a “greener” barbecue party
Grilling isn’t the only aspect of summer partying that impacts the environment. Water usage, insect
repellant, and energy output, among other factors, all contribute to make traditional ’cuing an
environmentally unfriendly activity sometimes. Now, the good news: There are ways you can...
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Bike to work...tomorrow
Why wait for Bike to Work Day to jump on a fun, self–powered mode of transportation? Instead, do it
tomorrow! Summertime is the perfect season to test–drive an alternate, greener mode of transport.
Plus, you’ll fit some exercise into your work week. Today, challenge yourself by...
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Tool time, tea time?
Turns out, black tea is a talented natural cleaning agent when it comes to rust removal. It works by dissolving rust into black oxide. Today, challenge yourself to gather up your rusty gardening or auto tools, brewing a couple large pots of black tea, and scrubbing them nice and shiny-clean.
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Get an eco-friendly grill
Love grilling, but don’t like the effects your current barbecue has on the environment? Traditional
grilling options, including charcoal, propane, and natural gas, do have negative consequences
(regular charcoal emits toxins, and propane and natural gas are both chemical–releasing and...
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Natural odor eaters
Deodorizing your household’s stinky places doesn’t have to be a toxic endeavor! Today, challenge yourself to switch to natural tactics when it comes to the following typical stinkers:• Musty clothes — Spray lightly (spot-test first) with vodka, a naturally scent-free bacteria...
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Get awn it
Cooling a house in warmer climates can be a big energy drain come summer. One thing you can do to minimize energy output is install retractable awnings over your windows that provide shade by day (and can be retracted to let in light at anytime). Today, challenge yourself to examine your window...
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Pump it up
Waiting for hot water to pour out of the spigot is a wasteful moment that presents an opportunity for improvement. By installing a recirculating water pump under your sink, you can get hot water instantly, so you don’t have to let excess water flow from the tap. This investment costs several...
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Fan the flames
Most of us think of ceiling fans as hot-weather helpers. Guess what? Fans can also save energy during winter. Heat rises, so ceiling fans that can operate in reverse at low speeds are efficient at distributing hot air, sparing you larger heating bills. Today, challenge yourself to start sourcing a...
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Aerate your tap
The average American uses — count ‘em! — 69.3 gallons of water per day. You can cut back on that figure by installing a simple water aerator on your taps. Aerators pump air into the water stream so you don’t have to run the tap at full blast. They can cost as little as $2.25...
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Drape yourself
Inexpensive cotton thermal drapes can do double-season duty as both summer heat blockers and winter warmth savers. By shutting such drapes on hotter days, you maintain a cooler environment (come evening, you can open them). By opening them all day, you trap as much daytime warmth as you can for...
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Log on
Crave the coziness of a hearth fire but worry about environmental impact? It may surprise you, but some artificial logs beat out real ones by a long shot when it comes to eco-friendliness. Yes, there are now options available that let you have your flame and love it, too. Today, challenge yourself...
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Concrete terms
In recent years, concrete flooring and even countertops have gained traction in the green building community, but controversy continues to dog this hardy substance. Why? Traditional concrete is formed by blending cement, sand, gravel, and water. Unfortunately, cement production is highly...
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Reclaim the drain
Clogged kitchen or bathroom sink getting you down? There are now several options when it comes to unclogging drains—thankfully, many that don’t contain the toxic chemicals found in traditional plumbing agents. Today, challenge yourself to research options like commercial, enzyme-based de...
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Bag it
Plastic bags might be an endangered species, but it still pays to reuse and recycle alongside reducing their use. Today, challenge yourself to use old plastic bags in creative new ways. Some tips:• Wrap around hands and knees for gardening protection.• Seal up paintbrushes mid-job to prevent drying...
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A plug for plugs
When it comes to saving water, sometimes going back to the future is the best way to do the green thing. Using your sink drain plug and filling the basin with water for washing or shaving may seem old-fashioned, but it uses a lot less H2O than letting the faucet run. Same with using a cup of water...
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Perfect your pancakes
Whole-grain hotcakes are one of our favorite breakfasts, but the mess that goes along with making them isn’t. Here’s a great way to recast a standard kitchen item as a partner in pancake making: Today, challenge yourself to clean out an old ketchup squeeze bottle and use it to squeeze...
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When roses go bananas
Raising roses? Save on fertilizer costs by reusing something you have around the house anyway: banana peels. Roses benefit from bananas’ potassium, which helps them thrive and stave off disease. Today, challenge yourself by chopping up the peels and adding them to your compost, or just tucking...
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Reusable tissues
It sounds nutty: How can you reuse something as fundamentally unhygienic as facial tissues? Well, think again. Better for Grownups has just released new, organic cotton sateen reusable tissues that can be laundered with hot water to kill germs. Today, challenge yourself to think outside the facial...
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Reduce your office paper use
Ever find yourself lamenting the stacks of discarded paper in your office? Even though they’re in the recycling bin, sometimes it just doesn’t seem like it’s enough.
Today, try to reduce your paper waste by avoiding the printer or photocopier altogether. When you must make...
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Avoid dry cleaning, try “wet cleaning”
Conventional dry cleaning almost always uses perchloroethylene, or “perc,” which is a probable carcinogen. Although some dry cleaners in states like California have begun to offer healthier options, there’s another type of cleaning out there: wet cleaning. Professional wet cleaners...
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Check for leaky toilets
Do you have a leaky toilet? If you do, you probably don’t know it.
A quick and easy way to find out is to add food coloring to your toilet tank and then wait 30 minutes. If you see any color in the bowl, you have a leak.
The good news is that this problem is easily fixed. Simply take...
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Buy a battery recharger
When you throw away any type of battery, its contents eventually end up in the soil, groundwater, or air. Since batteries contain toxic components, it’s a good idea to avoid filling landfills with them.
Today, plan on buying a battery recharger. In the long run, it’ll pay for itself...
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Give a green gift
Learning how to live greener is so much fun. It’s all about feeling like you really can make a difference. No matter how small a change, when it’s combined with everyone else’s it really does help. Which is why giving a green gift is so great. You get a chance to spread your...
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Research energy-efficient cooking methods
When was the last time you thought about your energy consumption in the kitchen? Today, challenge yourself to identify some energy-efficient cooking methods and then share what you learn with everyone here.
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Check your tires
Properly inflated tires can increase your car’s fuel efficiency by more than 3%. Today, read your owner's manual to find out what optimal air pressure is for your tires and check them at a gas station. Every little bit helps.
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Make an environment-friendly suggestion at work
Lots of us have suggestion boxes at work where we can share our insights and ideas. In the next 24 hours, think of different ways your office (or office policies) might be improved to help save the environment. Then submit your ideas to a person in-charge.
To get you started thinking, here are...
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Call your mechanic
Scheduling regular maintenance for your car can actually help reduce its impact on the environment. Small things like keeping your engine tuned properly can improve your car’s gas mileage by an average of 4%. More impressively, replacing a clogged air filter can improve your car’s gas mileage by as...
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Mow high
Lawn care is an area in which most of us can make eco-friendly changes without discomfort. One of the easiest—and most effective—changes is to maintain a fairly tall cutting height. Setting your blade’s cutting height to 2.5-3 inches allows for longer, stronger, more weed-resistant...
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Bring a bucket to shower
How much cold water is wasted while you wait for your shower to warm up? Up to five gallons, according to some sources. That’s plenty to water plants or gardens with—and it’s soap-free! Today, challenge yourself to bring a bucket into your bathroom and start saving your not-so-gray pre-shower...
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Make it for the birds
Bird feeders are a glorious way to connect with our feathered friends in your garden – or just outside your city window. Assuming you’re accepting of birds’ natural habits – they like to eat garden fruit, can be messy, and tempt cats – a homemade feeder is a crafty way to spend an afternoon – and...
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Don’t leave a paper trail
Replacing paper towels with reusable cloths is a great way to spare trees – and an easy one. Today, challenge yourself to replace paper towels with cloth napkins, tea towels, sponges, rags – even cloth diapers. Cut up old white bath towels and t-shirts. Washable microfiber wipes are a good new...
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Brake it down
Take it easy on those brakes! Slamming on them – and accelerating too quickly, for that matter – can reduce a car’s fuel efficiency by up to 33%. Today, challenge yourself to drive more smoothly. Remember: Hurrying won’t get you there much faster.
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Protect your family from lead
Lead poisoning is still an issue around the country, affecting homes, schools, and anywhere old paint, ceramics, vinyl lunchboxes, miniblinds, and toys exist. Before calling in the proper authorities --- EPA's lead abatement site is a good place to start -- you can perform a preliminary test on your...
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Can't wait to play? Join a CSA
If your garden’s still in the sprouting phase, why not join a Community Supported Agriculture group? CSA members pay a fixed seasonal fee to a local farmer in exchange for a weekly share of the harvest, delivered to a location near your home. Today, while your own garden grows, learn more about...
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Plant a victory garden
Historically, victory gardens have helped stock the pantry during wartime food shortages. Nowadays, they’re taking on a new, progressive activism as gardeners turn toward locally raised food, grow community, and save on grocery bills. The First Family even answered calls to plant an organic garden...
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Polish your act
Did you know that furniture polish could be dangerous to your health? In 2006, US Poison Control Centers reported 214,091 incidents involving exposure to household cleaning products – and more than half involved children under age 5! Thankfully, you have a greener, safer option for keeping your...
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Take the train
Ah, the mystery and spirit of adventure of train travel! It’s a greener choice than planes and cars. Tickets, however, can be pricey. Why not make a train ride the focus of your next trip? Today, challenge yourself to map out a future trip, marking all the whistlestop sites you’d like to enjoy on...
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Cut packaging pounds
Shocking statistic: Packaging materials comprise up to a third of all garbage tossed in the US! Today, challenge yourself to permanently change the way you shop and consume packaging. Here are some ways to cut back:
• Buy in bulk and use reusable containers instead of buying single-serving items...
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Sign up for a CSA
When you join a Community Supported Agriculture group (CSA) you pay a fixed seasonal fee to a local farmer in exchange for a weekly share of the harvest, which is delivered to a location near your home. This option for getting greener, cleaner, locally grown food is popular, so don't wait. Today...
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Capture sink water
Water is our planet’s most vital resource – and in many places, it’s under threat. Yet, in industrialized parts of the world, we often take it for granted. One simple way you can save and reuse so-called “gray” water is to place a bowl, trap, or device like Hughie’s removable kitchen sink in your...
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Look for deals…naturally
Buying huge amounts of a food you’re not interested in doesn’t make sense. One way to explore new natural food options is to take advantage of a true sale: beans in bulk or seasonal favorites – anything that draws your eye at your natural-food store. Today, challenge yourself to open your mind to a...
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Be needy, not greedy
We’ve all indulged in that scourge of budgeters everywhere: sport shopping. You know what we mean – the act of buying something you want that you really don’t need. Unfortunately, the temporary good cheer sport shopping lends doesn’t last. Today, challenge yourself to hit the register only after...
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Dine in
Cozy, romantic, and satisfyingly healthful – what could be sweeter than dining in? Eating more meals at home not only promises less chance of overdoing it on fatty, processed, or caloric foods, it also saves you money (not to mention reducing waste in terms of takeout packaging and car use). Today...
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Make your own laundry detergent
Commercial sudsy stuff can cost 30 cents per load – or more, depending on brand and outlet. Homemade, on the other hand, can run as little as 3 cents! Best of all, when you make it yourself you control the ingredients, which allows you to aim for better home air quality, less paper packaging waste...
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Make old thinking new again
Rags, washcloths, mops, diapers…the list of things that we once reused and later made disposable is long and contentious. Trying one of these old-yet-new-again products raises the question: Can you make a difference without sacrificing your own comfort, convenience, or hygiene? Today, challenge...
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Share the harvest
Have fruit, nuts, or veggies growing in your yard? Come time to harvest, you’ll probably have too much to eat yourself. Here’s one way to reduce your “cookprint”: Challenge yourself to ask a local school, volunteer organization, or soup kitchen to help you harvest your bounty – and bring home...
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Magnum opus
Wine provides millions the world over with a pleasurable coda to meals and social gatherings. The thing is, how does the wine get there? Answer: By a complex global distribution system that produces significant greenhouse gas emissions. What can you do? Challenge yourself to order larger bottles –...
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Go for the greenest grape
Gifting a host with a bottle of wine is always nice. Why not an organic or low-sulfite variety? Organic wines are produced using organically grown grapes and are free of pesticides and herbicides. Winemakers typically add sulfites to stabilize wine and prevent spoilage, but a handful of vineyards...
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Stash your trash
How much trash does a person produce each day? Want to find out? Today, instead of throwing out everything you use (e.g. coffee cups, water bottles, fast food wrappers, egg cartons, plastic bags from produce), challenge yourself to carry around a sack with all of your trash inside. You’ll be...
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Sanitize your sponges
Ever find yourself wishing you could scrub your sponges? Here’s a better idea: microwave them or run them through the dishwasher. In 2007, the Agricultural Research Service (the principle research agency of the USDA) did a study comparing how many pathogens, yeasts, and molds were killed by various...
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Limit non-recyclable purchases
How many throw-aways should you throw away your money on? That’s really up to you. But here’s a fact: Choosing recyclable items whenever possible reduces waste. Today, challenge yourself to think about an item’s packaging, recyclability, and disposability before you make a purchase, with the...
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Solar-power your car battery
Here’s a way to let the sunshine in: Portable solar battery chargers can be used to power 12V engines in cars, motorcycles, trucks, boats – even RVs and mowers. As with other solar technologies, they use the power of the sun to build electrical voltage. Sometime this week, challenge yourself to...
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Check your showerhead
Today, challenge yourself to test your showerhead and find out whether you could be saving some serious water by installing a low-flow model. Here’s how:
• Put a bucket into your shower and fill it with 2.5 gallons of water.
• Mark the water level. Then empty the bucket.
• Put the bucket...
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Install faucet aerators
Are you serious about conserving water in your home? One of the best ways to do this is to install aerators on your faucets.
Unsure about whether you need aerators? Look at the side of your faucet spigot — right where the water comes out. If an aerator is already installed, you will see its flow...
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Trek your food home
Shopping for foods at the local farmers’ market not only gets you outside, it lends itself to lots of walking and carrying – in short, great exercise! The next time you go shopping, challenge yourself to bring a backpack to the farmers’ market and walk your purchases home.
_Always consult a...
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Have a centerpiece brainstorm session
“Reduce, reuse, recycle” extends to all aspects of life…including entertaining. Today, challenge yourself to be a little thrifty by inviting friends over for a centerpiece brainstorm session. Have your guests bring at least one item to share as a table centerpiece that’s either pre-used...
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Pool to school
Currently driving the kids to school when other modes of transport exist? If options like busing, walking, or biking aren’t convenient, try reaching out to other parents; you may find another chauffeur and save on both energy and time. Challenge yourself to initiate contact with classmates’...
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Wrap it up...responsibly
Discarded newspaper, comic strips, clean used aluminum foil, notepaper...there are many ways to wrap a gift attractively without using new paper. This weekend, challenge yourself to create the ultimate reusable gift-wrap box. Here are some tips to get you started:
• Fill the box with scraps like...
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Host a toy swap
If you think there’s enough kid stuff in circulation already, try trading up for the holidays. Here’s how it works: Challenge yourself to organize an event where you and your friends – or neighbors, classmates, etc. – bring your gently used toys, books, and even clothes. Have participants label...
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Automate dishwashing
Doing the “washing up” by hand may be the good, old-fashioned way – but it also wastes energy. The newer ENERGY STAR-qualified dishwashers use half as much energy as washing by hand – and 5,000 less gallons of water per year. Clearly, energy and cost savings add up quick with these devices (which...
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Install a shower shutoff
Surprise: There’s a simple button that can snap off your shower spigot flow while you lather up, saving gallons of water! Who knew? And models like the Rain Saver Inline cost less than $10.
Today, challenge yourself to trek to the local hardware store and buy one of these nifty devices. Then...
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Party time? Walk this way
Next time you get invited to a Saturday soiree or a Friday fete, try walking there. Sound outlandish? Pick a reasonable destination, of course. Walking is not only good for your cardiovascular health, it also offers a wealth of sensory pleasures, from enjoying the sounds and smells of nature to...
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Switch to mini-solar power
Forever forgetting to recharge your cell phone? One way to power your phone up and treat the earth kindly at the same time – without even plugging in! – is to invest in a universal solar charger.
Available for between $50-$95, most devices are compact and can easily fit in your knapsack. They...
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Drain naturally
Is your sink clogged up again? Instead of using toxic products to drain it, try a homemade baking soda and vinegar mixture instead. Today, challenge yourself to create a list of alternatives home solutions. That way, the next time your sink does back up, you'll know just what to do. Here are some...
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Bust your bottle habit
Water bottles, vitamin waters, bottled teas – all sound good and healthful, but all foster waste.
Today, challenge yourself to go cold turkey on single-use bottles, period. Some ideas for making the change:
• Invest in a filtration system at home and use tap water.
• Purchase a few reusable...
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Pack your power
There are backpacks that can carry a solar charge which is powerful enough to run your personal gadgets? Get out! Turns out it’s true: Powered by monocrystalline cells, these waterproof, scratch-resistant, UV-proof solar packs can fire up everything from cell phones and digital cameras to GPS...
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Dim the lights
Low lighting uses less energy and prolongs the bulb’s lifespan. You can save on energy expenses by installing and using dimmer switches whenever possible. Today, challenge yourself to add installing a dimmer on one light fixture to your to-do list. Then schedule a date to do it.
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Plan a green wedding
Weddings are a great opportunity to set the tone for your new life – and inspire others. From recycled invitations and vintage rings to minimizing your guests’ driving and donating leftovers, you can do a lot to make it a blissful yet responsible day. Some guiding principles: Stay local with regard...
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Explore “living off the grid”
We’ve all heard of the phenomenon: Back-to-the-landers who build their own home, plant a garden, dig a well, install solar panels and wind turbines and call it a day. But what’s really involved in so-called “living off the grid”? What are the risks and advantages of such a life? What kind of...
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Get it done with one
Some household and beauty products can be used for a variety of needs. Some ideas:
• Essential oils can function perfumes or as bath salt fragrances
• Honey is ideal for both baking and as a moisturizing facial mask for dry skin
• Vinegar does double duty as a salad dressing ingredient and a...
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Get bold with mold
If commercial products and chlorine bleaches don’t appeal to you as healthy mold killers (and why would they?), think about mixing your own product. The next time you clean your house, challenge yourself to give one of these easy recipes a try:
• Several spoonfuls of tea tree oil in a spray bottle...
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Green up your garage sale
Existing for the sole purpose of passing on pre-owned items, yard sales are inherently earth-friendly. Why not aim even higher? The next time you throw a garage sale, challenge yourself to go even greener:
• Package small or fragile items in reused or donated boxes or packing materials
• Donate a...
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Save when soaping-up
Concentrated soaps, like dishwashing liquid and laundry detergent, come in many sizes. Oftentimes, the packaging isn’t about how much of the product you’ll use per washing; it’s related to how much the soap has been diluted. Bigger isn’t better. The next time you’re buying liquid detergent...
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Bulk up
Buying products in bulk can save you time and unnecessary trips to the store. Natural food stores, chains, and cooperatives often stock such items as rice, beans, nuts, flour, soap, shampoo, and lotion in bulk. Best of all, you can often reuse many containers (usually at a discount). This weekend...
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Harvest rainwater
Although the term can be somewhat confusing, harvesting rainwater is anything but. All it takes is a large bucket strategically placed under your roof, a rainy night, and you’ve started. Ready-made barrels with attached spigots make it easy to use collected water on your garden and lawn. According...
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Clean up the streets
When you see litter in a park or on a sidewalk, what’s your reaction? Instead of ignoring it, why not pick it up and set a good example? Today, challenge yourself to pay attention to your surroundings and collect at least one piece of litter.
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Decide on diapers
Many eco-minded people assume that cloth is the greener choice when it comes to diapers. Not always so: Depending on your location, your local landfill situation, and many other factors, disposables may actually use less energy.
While disposables fill our landfills and often contain harsh...
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Banish weeds with water
Sounds unlikely, right? Not when you use a kettle of boiling water. Simply pour a thin stream directly on top of unwanted plants and you’ll kill them without using any harsh chemicals. For weeds with especially deep roots, like dandelions, try digging out a bit of the top and pouring the boiling...
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Refrain from the plane
Planning a trip to a far-flung destination this summer? If the size of your carbon footprint is important to you, you may want to consider a vacation that doesn’t include air travel, which is notorious for its high CO2 emissions.
If you can’t avoid air travel, consider purchasing carbon...
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Greenify your kitty litter
Millions of tons of clay cat litter end up in city landfills each year. Plus, the clay is harvested through strip mining. Thankfully, there are now biodegradable, compostable, septic-tank and corn-based options that take the stink out of your litter’s environmental performance. The next time you...
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Spring clean your media storage
Recycling your CDs and DVDs is as easy as contacting the Compact Disc Recycling Center of America. Currently sponsored by several CD/DVD manufacturers, this organization runs recycling centers and even provides collection boxes if you need to mail them – and it’s all free! Now that you’ve gone MP3...
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Water your garden right
Gardens are gorgeous - and potentially a waste of water. However, there are ways to conserve this valuable resource and enjoy your garden at the same time. It just takes planning.
While watering your garden this weekend, challenge yourself to find ways to reduce your water consumption. Here are...
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Clear out your car trunk
Less weight in your car means better gas mileage…and energy savings. Every pound counts. Today, challenge yourself to take an inventory of the stuff in your trunk and take out anything that’s weighing you down.
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Have a greener outdoor summer party
Outdoor summer entertaining can have a carbon footprint. However, there are a few easy ways to lessen your impact. When you entertain outside this month, challenge yourself to:
• Use a natural gas grill instead of charcoal
• Turn off unused indoor lights
• Use regular dishware, napkins...
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Observe speed limits
Speedy driving can lower your fuel economy by as much as 33% on the highway and 5% on city streets. In the next 24 hours, cut down on your energy consumption by obeying the speed limit.
Other pro-mileage tips:
• Reduce excess vehicle weight by removing unnecessary items (100 lbs. reduces MGP by...
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Recycle your clothes
Giving away or reselling your gently worn clothing reduces waste, plain and simple. This month, challenge yourself to go through your closet and collect anything you don’t wear. Then, plan ways of recycling your clothes. You could host a clothes swap, give them to charity, or trade them for dollars...
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Start a composting bin
Whether you use plant clippings or last night's dinner, compost is very easy to make. Essentially, compost is made up of anything that was once living. If you're a gardener, it's a great additive to soil. It's also beneficial for minimizing waste and your environmental footprint.
During the next...
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Quit your car
There’s no way around it: Cars pollute. Here are some cleaner ideas for getting places, ranging from “light green” to “forest green”:
• Walk – Fresh air, exercise, and a surprisingly quick trip if you work it.
• Bike – Some commutes are faster this way, and daytime errands are a snap.
•...
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Research green power options
Did you know that it may be possible for you to purchase electricity from clean wind, geothermal, solar, or hydroelectric sources? Today, challenge yourself to learn if your utility company lets you purchase green energy. The US Department of Energy's Green Power Network lists energy options by...
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Dare to spare the air
National Clean Air Month is a great time to remind ourselves that global change starts with each and every one of us. Today, challenge yourself to do something - big or small - to spare the air. Some ideas: bike to work, carpool, opt out of unnecessary air travel, and buy local produce.
Challenge
Grow an organic garden
Seeds and starter plants raised without pesticides and herbicides make sense if you’re going organic. And they’re readily available at garden supply centers. This spring, if you’re planning on gardening, challenge yourself to learn about organic options and use them instead of conventional ones...
Challenge
Plant a tree
Deciduous trees save energy by shading you in summer and, after they’ve shed their leaves, letting sunlight heat your home in winter. This process is most energy-efficient when trees are planted on the south, east and west sides of a house. Today, celebrate Arbor Day and give a gift to the earth...
Challenge
Scoot around town
An easy-to-master cousin to the skateboard, foot-powered scooters are a great way to run an errand, visit a friend or enjoy a workout that doesn’t feel like one. Challenge yourself to engage in transportation by alternative means: self-propelled.
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Challenge
Grab a cup to go
Unless you recycle, disposable coffee cups and plastic lids pile up in our nation’s landfills. Next time you get your daily cup of joe, challenge yourself to bring a reusable mug from home.
Challenge
Keep the world beautiful
Show your love for public parks, beaches and hiking trails: Call your local parks department to join a volunteer clean-up program. You’ll have an active day while meeting like-minded folks and helping the community. Bring friends or family to make the experience even more meaningful. Challenge...
Challenge
Be thrifty
Thrift shops, vintage, consignment, or tag sales - whatever you call them, they’re recycling opportunities. Buying used clothing, appliances, and furniture not only saves you cash, it reduces demand for newly made products, controlling the cycle of waste. The next time you go shopping, consider...
Challenge
Bike to work
According to the US Census Bureau, hundreds of thousands of Americans commute this way - and bicycling organizations believe this figure is low. The best thing about biking to work is that you get a daily dose of exercise and reduce your carbon footprint at the same time. Today, challenge yourself...
Challenge
Do your part for World Health Day
Personal change can be overwhelming, and making a difference globally even more so. This year, with World Health Day focusing on the effects of climate changes and how they affect everyone’s health, you can contribute by doing one simple thing to reduce your individual carbon footprint.
Today...
Challenge
Run fully loaded
Fewer loads reduce energy output and water usage. The next time you do dishes or laundry, challenge yourself to start washers only when they’re completely filled.
Challenge
Use recycled toilet paper
Tissue and TP made from other used products are less wasteful than conventionally produced options. The next time you buy this essential item, challenge yourself to look for the symbol for post-consumer recycled paper on the package. In particular, avoid brands that contain 100% virgin trees.
Challenge
Clean your refrigerator coils
You’ve probably never heard about this energy saving tip before. How do you do it? The first step is to go to your local hardware store and buy a coil-cleaning brush. Next, unplug your refrigerator and move it away from the wall. (It’s a good idea to invite a friend over to help.) Now, use the coil...
Challenge
Make a water heater cozy
An insulating blanket wrapped around your water heater can help lower your energy bill. How? It helps the heater retain heat. Insulating blankets are easy to set up and cheap to buy. (They’re usually about $10 at a local hardware store.)
This weekend, schedule a trip to the hardware store to...
Challenge
Wash all your laundry in cold water
When you use cold water to wash both darks and whites, you reduce your gas consumption. An added bonus is that you also preserve the wear and tear on your clothes.
The next time you do laundry, challenge yourself to only use cold water. After a few months, pat yourself on the back when you...
Challenge
Adjust your computer’s energy settings
Depending on your computer, there are several ways to adjust its settings to make it energy efficient during the day. For example, on a PC there’s a difference between ‘standby’ and ‘hibernate’ for when you walk away from your desk. Standby conserves power, but doesn’t save your computer memory to...
Challenge
Give your car a breather
Think about millions of parents all over the world waiting in their idling cars for their children to come out of school. Now add up all that wasted gas and air pollution. Although it may not seem like much when you’re alone in your car idling for a few minutes, when you take into account everyone...
Challenge
Turn off your computer
Lots of us like the convenience of leaving our computers ‘asleep’ or in ‘hibernate’ rather than turning them off when we’re done every day. But this daily habit wastes energy.
Today, when you’re done at work shut off your computer before leaving the office. Or, if you’re at home do the same...
Challenge
Say “no” to paper napkins and paper plates
When you’re entertaining, it’s tempting to use disposable dishes and napkins to avoid the clean-up afterwards. But sticking to the more environmentally-sustainable options really is a lot more responsible.
If you’re in the habit of using disposable paper products when you entertain, challenge...
Challenge
Turn down your water heater thermostat
In a typical household, the water heater thermostat is often set to 140 degrees F. But did you know that 120 is usually fine? Why is this important for the earth? Well, according to Power Scorecard (founded by leading environmental organizations and scientists), each 10 degree reduction saves 600...
Challenge
Calculate your carbon footprint
While it’s practically impossible to eliminate your impact on the environment, you can minimize your carbon footprint. The first step is figuring out how much carbon your lifestyle generates.
Today, find a carbon calculator online and fill-out the questionnaire to identify exactly how much of a...
Challenge
Try “slow laundry”
Ever heard of the “slow food” movement, which emphasizes the enjoyment and preparation of foods? Well, here’s a slight variation on that theme. Slow laundry aims to get more people line drying their clothing to conserve energy. And then there’s the benefit of slowing down in general. Life is more...
Challenge
Check your air filters
Did you know that dirty filters on your furnace or air conditioner restrict the airflow, causing them to run longer and increasing your energy consumption? By changing your filters every month, you can reduce your energy consumption by 1 to 2% per month.
Today, add checking your air filters to...
Challenge
Turn down your refrigerator
Did you know that refrigerators account for about 20% of the average household’s electricity use? Today, cut down on your energy consumption by using a thermometer to raise your refrigerator temperature to the most efficient level.
Your refrigerator temperature should be as close to 37°F and...
Challenge
Go carbon neutral
We all need to take responsibility for solving the issue of global climate change. One way to do this is to reduce our total carbon emissions. That means doing things like turning off the lights when we leave a room, taking public transportation when possible, etc.
Taking this one step farther —...
Challenge
Turn off the water when you brush
Today when you brush your teeth turn off the water after you wet your brush and leave it off until you rinse. Even small everyday gestures make a difference for the environment.
Challenge
Change your light bulbs
Artificial lighting accounts for 15% of the typical household's energy use. By using new lighting technologies like compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) you could reduce your lighting energy use by 50 to 70%. This weekend, make a trip to your local hardware store and buy some CFLs. Then, change...
Challenge
Unplug your electronics
Even when they are not being used, electronics - like coffee makers, TVs, and stereos - consume some energy. Today or tomorrow before you leave the house, unplug any electronics that aren't being used.
Challenge
Clean up your cleaning products
The great thing about natural cleaning products is that they don’t contain harsh chemicals that float in the air after use or get washed down the drain. Make an effort today to research your options. Plan on replacing your current supply of products with natural ones when you run out.
Challenge
Reduce your junk mail
Drowning in junk mail? The earth is too. Most junk mail is not printed on recycled paper and ends up in landfills. In the next 24 hours, contact a few of your most prolific junk mail companies and request to be taken off their mailing lists. If you’re receiving huge amounts of junk, another tactic...
Challenge
Shorten your shower
When you reduce your shower time you not only save money on your water bill, you also conserve water and energy. The next time you hop in the shower, start a timer and see how quickly you can get clean.
Challenge
Opt for paperless billing
Over the next couple days, check in with your bank, utility companies, credit card companies, and insurance providers — or any other place that issues you a monthly statement. Ask them if they can switch you over to paperless billing. It's a great way to save a few trees.
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Challenge
Greenify your commute
There are lots of ways to make your commute more environmentally friendly. It just takes a little planning and some effort. You might be surprised at how seemingly small changes can make a big difference.
During the next week, try one (or several) of these ideas for making your commute more...
Challenge
Help the environment
Do one thing in the next 24 hours to help the environment. It could be bringing your lunch to work in a re-usable container, carpooling, or recycling. Imagine if everyone did one simple thing everyday to contribute.
Challenge
Forego the bag
If you go shopping during the next 24 hours, carry a convenient fold-up cloth bag with you. Tell the cashiers you can skip the bag.
Challenge
Cook a one-pot meal
Using one pot to cook an entire meal makes a lot of sense. For starters, when different foods simmer together their flavors blend in delicious ways. And then there's the added bonus of energy efficiency. (After all, when you cook in one pot, there's a lot less to clean up later.) Make an effort in...