Getting Green
Getting green is easier than you think! By altering your own habits and teaching children to be conscientious of our natural resources, you can help minimize our footprint on Mother Earth. Here are some simple, everyday ideas to help build greener generations for the future.
Ridiculous Green Tips. I just won’t go that far.
I’m always on the hunt for green living tips to share with you, and I try to keep the recommendations realistic and simple enough where you might be subjected to a short period of uncomfortable change, but nothing that will …
Green Tip: Find recycling options near you on Earth911.com!
How the heck do you dispose of a broken DVD player, old glasses or cell phones? Or what should you do about that old arm chair or coffee table that’s still in really good condition? And, NO, the answer is …
It’s not easy being green. Doable ideas for Earth Day resolutions.
I don’t know about you, but my commitment to being green tends to ebb and flow—erring more on the side of “ebbing” than “flowing”. Don’t get me wrong, at home I’m a recycling nut. But I’m also the first one …
Green Tip: Keeping it clean with cloth napkins.
Here’s another way to get green– Just Say No to paper napkins! Purchasing the paper versions cost you money every week and pile up landfills at a record pace. There is, of course, an initial investment, but cloth napkins will last …
Green Tip: It’s a car, not an apartment.
Want to save on gas mileage? Clear the clutter! For every 100 pounds you carry inside your car, you lower its fuel economy by 1 to 2 percent. So if you don’t need it, don’t have it in your trunk. See …
It’s Cold, Even Your Water Heater Needs a Jacket
Here’s another method to corral that heat before it escapes, wallet in tow, out the door. If your hot water storage system is more than a few years old, chances are it may not be insulated sufficiently. The easiest way …
Green Tip: That’s a wrap! Alternatives to wrapping paper.
Gift-giving is not an especially green activity. Fancy paper and shiny bows get thrown out by the bagful, and did you know that some wrapping papers can’t be recycled? Instead, try reusing colorful materials from around the house, such as …
Green Tip: Go digital—thermostats, that is.
How many times have you left the house for the day and forgotten to turn down the heat or AC before you left, letting it run you financially amok? By swapping out your old school thermostat for a digital thermostat, …
Green Tip: Adjust Refrigerator and Freezer Temps
Did you know that refrigerators eat up most of the energy expenditures in most homes? Even adjusting the temperature a few degrees makes an enormous difference in conserving energy. By setting fridge temps to 37°F and the freezer at 0°F, …
Drying Small Loads? Throw In A Towel To Speed Drying Time.
You know how it goes. You throw a small load into the dryer and it takes twice as long because the clothes stubbornly lay flat against the inside dryer arms. Looking for an easy fix? Throw in a couple of …
Dishwasher-Safe, Resuable Sandwich/Snack Bags. We’re In Love.
Every day, more than 20 million sandwich bags from school lunches go into landfills in the US! Yuck! Check out these new “lunchskins” resuable sandwich and snack bags priced from $7.95-$10.95 (that’s the cost of two boxes of baggies!). These …
Go Vegetarian – One Day A Week
Because it’s “cheaper” to raise produce (in terms of energy) than raising animals, try swapping your steak for a vegetarian meal once a week. It’s a lot easier to do than you think! Log onto www.vegweb.com to find delicious meat-free …
Launder in Cold Water. Works Just As Good.
Unless you are dealing with oil or grease stains, washing your clothes in cold water will clean just as well as a warm water cycle and uses 50% less energy. There are many detergents on the market now that are …
Shun Plastic Baggies
Getting rid of our “plastic baggie addiction” was a toughie—they are just so darn convenient! But during our Get Out Of Your Comfort Zone Challenge, we spent a week snubbing our favorite storage friend, GASP! In celebration of Earth Week, …
Pack It In, Pack It In
Wait to run appliances until you have a full load of laundry or dishes. Choose appropriate water levels and temps (almost ALL laundry gets equally clean with a cold wash) for washing machines and experiment using the dishwasher’s short cycle …
Lower Water Temperature
Ok, ok, this tip is as old as the hills, but it stands the test of time. Set the water heater to 120°F. There is just no need for it to be any higher, and if you have little ones …
Hibernate Secondary Appliances
Do you have a second refrigerator in the garage or basement that is used mostly in the summer to keep extra beverages and barbeque provisions? Clear it out for the winter and give it an energy rest until Spring Training …
Carbon Monoxide Detectors. Get One Please.
Carbon monoxide is called the silent killer because it’s colorless and odorless. If you have a fuel-burning appliance inside the home, such as a gas stove, furnace, water heater, fireplace or clothes dryer, be safe and install a UL-listed carbon …
Just Say No to Air Leaks and Drafts
A nice cool breeze is only acceptable on a hot beach, not through the windows on a cold winter evening. Not to mention the money you are wasting by overheating your home to compensate for the drafts. For those leaky …
Mailboxes Are Sooo 2009. Go Paperless.
Many companies are offering paperless bill statements that get sent directly to your email In Box. This alleviates the cost of killing trees to send you something you don’t want anyways. Better yet, set up automatic bill pay so there’s …
Paper or Plastic? Neither. Recyclable Bags Please.
It is nearly impossible to escape the giant displays of recyclable bags in the grocery store these days. They cost about $1 a piece and will last you several years. It’s just silliness that we continue receiving those landfill clogging …
Easy Ways To Save H2O
This Green Tip is one of the oldest in the book, but it’s true! Did you know shutting off the water while brushing your teeth can save up to 4.5 gallons of water each time? There are lots of ways …
Shine On! Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs
The new energy-efficient light bulbs have gotten a bad rap, but they are improving every day. The light output is getting more natural and yes, you can now buy ones that can be used with dimmers. They use 66% less …
