1.Conserve Energy
Everything around you, from the computer you’re reading this on to the lights needed to illuminate your workspace, use energy that takes a toll on the environment. Just by turning these things off before going to bed or the moment you leave the room can reduce the pollution associated with them.
Ways To Conserve Energy
1. Replace old light bulbs with energy saving fluorescent bulbs. They may cost more, but will save you much more in the long run.
2. Turn off all electronic devices that are not in use. Not only turn them off but try to remember to unplug them. You will be surprised how much you will save with this simple step!
3. Air dry your dishes. When washing in a dish washer, the heat generated during the wash cycle is more than enough to dry your dishes.
4. Clean or replace air filters regularly. This can vary depending on the filter you are using. It's important to follow the instruction found on the packaging. If you no longer have it, here are some basic guidelines:
- Deep Pleated = Once or twice a year
- Ordinary Flat or Pleated = 2-3 Months
- Traditional Fiberglass/Polyester = Monthly
5. Close vents and doors in unused rooms. No need to cool or warm areas that people are not in.
6. Weather strip doors and windows! Weather stripping is an inexpensive alternative to replacing windows and will save you hundreds of dollars!
7. Wash clothes in cold water. Believe it or not cold water does clean, and many laundry soap manufacturers now offer soaps specifically made for washing clothes in cold water.
8. Repair or replace leaky faucets. A leaky faucet waste upwards of 30,000 gallons of water a year. Thats right, imagine what you would be saving with a quick fix!
9. Wash clothes in the morning or evening when its cooler. Sounds silly but the heat generated by the dryer will warm the house and in the summer months your air conditioner will use more energy to cool your home.
10. When shopping for new appliances invest in Energy Star. Energy Star appliances are not by any means cheap, but the upfront cost will pay for it self ten fold in the amount of energy you will be saving over time.
2.Recycle
Next to every trash bin is an eco-friendly option but many of us still don’t bother.
Simple following the “biodegradable” and “non-biodegradable” segregation will contribute a lot to the preservation of the environment. Using recyclable bags instead of purchasing plastic or paper bags every single time you shop will do a lot as well.Ways To Recycle
1. Keep a recycling bin handy and make it easy to recycle. It takes only seconds to toss an empty bottle, plastic container or can into a bin. Keep it in a nearby closet or in the garage.
2. Recycle paper. Use paper grocery bags or cardboard boxes to hold the paper. When going through the mail toss unwanted junk mail into the recycling box. Reuse blank sides of paper for notes, or grocery lists.
3. Reuse plastic grocery bags. Many grocery stores now offer an incentive to customers who bring in their own bags, offering cents off per bag. Keep the bags in the car for easy access.
4. Old bed sheets or blankets make great drop cloths for painting, arts and crafts or household repairs.
5. Spread coffee grounds and fireplace ashes in the garden to add extra nutrients to the soil.
6. Grind lemon rinds in the garbage disposal to keep it smelling fresh.
7. Plastic fruit cups can be used for small jobs around the house such as painting, cleaning or polishing.
8. Don't throw away clothing or household items that are in good condition. Donate them to charity. Many charities will pick up your items.
9. Use plastic containers from margarine and whipped topping for leftovers.
10. Worn cotton items such as towels, washcloths or socks make perfect cleaning, dusting or polishing rags.
Simple following the “biodegradable” and “non-biodegradable” segregation will contribute a lot to the preservation of the environment. Using recyclable bags instead of purchasing plastic or paper bags every single time you shop will do a lot as well.Ways To Recycle
1. Keep a recycling bin handy and make it easy to recycle. It takes only seconds to toss an empty bottle, plastic container or can into a bin. Keep it in a nearby closet or in the garage.
2. Recycle paper. Use paper grocery bags or cardboard boxes to hold the paper. When going through the mail toss unwanted junk mail into the recycling box. Reuse blank sides of paper for notes, or grocery lists.
3. Reuse plastic grocery bags. Many grocery stores now offer an incentive to customers who bring in their own bags, offering cents off per bag. Keep the bags in the car for easy access.
4. Old bed sheets or blankets make great drop cloths for painting, arts and crafts or household repairs.
5. Spread coffee grounds and fireplace ashes in the garden to add extra nutrients to the soil.
6. Grind lemon rinds in the garbage disposal to keep it smelling fresh.
7. Plastic fruit cups can be used for small jobs around the house such as painting, cleaning or polishing.
8. Don't throw away clothing or household items that are in good condition. Donate them to charity. Many charities will pick up your items.
9. Use plastic containers from margarine and whipped topping for leftovers.
10. Worn cotton items such as towels, washcloths or socks make perfect cleaning, dusting or polishing rags.
3.Keep Track of Your Trash
In relation to number 2, if you didn’t know already: 33% of what we throw away is packaging. Unfortunately it’s mostly plastic which is not biodegradable and cannot be incinerated. These things only end up being buried in the landfill, which is obviously very bad for the soil. Think about all the plastic forks you’ve ever used. None of them have completely re-circulated into the ecosystem.
4.Plant A Plant
Plants of all shapes and sizes absorb carbon dioxide from the air. Don’t think you need to plant a tree in order to help preserve nature. By just having a flower inside the room or possibly a small vegetable garden can help the air we breathe better.
5.Buy Environmentally-Sustainable Equipment
A new wave of appliances is on the market. You may have heard of Energy Star before, what they do is rate machines or techniques based on their energy saving qualities. So the next time you put new windows in your house look for the Energy Star label and you’ll save money every time you heat it. If that is still too pricey for you, another cheap idea in this category is incandescent lights. Most businesses use them because they cost less to run, but many homes still rely on old-fashioned filament bulbs without realizing it’s actually more expensive and a waste of energy.
Not hard at all is it? These 6 easy steps were designed to be accessible to anyone. These are everyday deals that will harbor no hassle for us.
Not hard at all is it? These 6 easy steps were designed to be accessible to anyone. These are everyday deals that will harbor no hassle for us.
6.Donate to the Cause
If you think your own efforts are too small you might want to help a big mover such as environmentally driven organizations. Even something small is a drop in the bucket, so to speak, which can one day grow to be the flood of change we need, ever so desperately