Ways to be green.If you know of any that are not listed submit them to me at eco@2thegreenway.com or by feedback form for approval.
THIS SITE IS GOING TO BE CHANGED SOME SO IN THE MEAN TIME YOU MIGHT FIND LETTERS/NUMBERS BY SOME OF THE TIPS, NEVER MIND THEM IT'S JUST SOMETHING TO HELP ME KNOW WHAT I AM DOING.
1. Drive the speed limit.
2. Keep the tires on your car inflated to the proper amount.
3. Use the A/C in your car less, to save gas.
4. Drive with the windows open as much as possible under 50 MPH otherwise it creates too much drag. When you reach speeds over 50 MPH it is cheaper/more eco-friendly to run the A/C!!!
5. Shut off your car if you will be idling for 30 seconds or more. Under 30 seconds it is NOT cheaper/more eco-friendly to shut off then start up again.
6. Use CFL's (compact fluorescent lamp) in your home instead of incandesencts, because CFLs use much less energy (see below)
- ENERGY STAR qualified bulbs use about 75 percent less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer.
- Save about $30 or more in electricity costs over each bulb's lifetime.
- Produce about 75 percent less heat, so they're safer to operate and can cut energy costs associated with home cooling.
Now $30.00 might not seem like much but think about it if you have even 10 CFLs thats 30.00*10=300.00 in 7 years (lifetime of bulb) so thats $42.85 a year, and $3.57 a month just for buying a CFL! Now they are more to buy at first but the savings are so much you pay for the bulb shortly.
Please visit the Energy Star website: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=lighting.pr_lighting
7. Recycle- check locally to see what kind of recycle programs you can get involved in! Lots of things can be recycled that you may not know about, plus it gives you more room in your trash bin!
8. Buy higher quality things, the longer something lasts the less you have to replace it therefore reducing consumption.
9. Use less, anything that you use for less time or less of will save money, and help save the earth.
10. Turn off ANYTHING that uses power, when you are not using it, and unplug anything that you aren't going to use for the most power savings becuause even things that are "off" still use power! This is because anything (that has a button mostly) only goes into standby mode because it needs power to take signals from that remote (TV, radio, etc.) or from that button to tell these things to turn on/off. This job can easliy work for mulitple things by putting them all on a power strip (because that will shut them off not just sandby mode!
11. Avoid disposable in favor of reusable items.
12. Avoid drying rags in a clothes dryer. Make a clothes line and hang them outside they will smell better too!
13. Avoid power appliances when handpower works.
14. Avoid highly processed foods.
15. Avoid using styrofoam—it can't be recycled.
16. Avoid watering driveways and sidewalks. A underground watering system can not only make your life easier, but can save water at the same time!
17. Be responsible and creative with leftover foods.
18. Buy in bulk goods to reduce wasted packaging.
19. Buy energy efficient electric appliances. Like the Energy Star appliances, see www.energystar.gov for more info!
20. Buy foods without additives.
11. Buy foods without preservatives.
12. Buy food and goods from sources you trust.
13. Buy large quantities to reduce shopping trips.
14. Buy living Christmas trees.
15. Buy locally grown food and produce, it takes less gas/emissions because they don't have to be shipped.
16. Buy organic, pesticide-free foods.
17. Compost your food scraps. M
18. Discover and protect watersheds in your area.
19. Don't burn trash or other smoky materials. M
20. Drain cooking grease onto paper bags, not paper towels. M
21. Drive a fuel-efficient car. M
22. Drive less: walk, bicycle, carpooland use public transportation.
23. Eat foods low on the food chain; avoid meat. M
24. Eat more natural, nutritious foods.
25. Educate elected representatives on ecology.
26.
27. Explore and learn about your bioregion.
28. Grow your own food, even a small amount. M
29. Hang dry some or all of your clothes. M
30. Heat your home less and wear warmer clothes.
31. Heat your home more with renewable energies. M
32. Hold a potluck dinner to discuss local ecology.
33. If you use a dishwasher, turn off the drying cycle. M
34. Install a water-conserving device in your toilets. M
35. Install a water-conserving showerhead. M
36. Insulate your home to maximum efficiency.
37.
38. Invest in solar power, where practical. M
39. Invest in well-made, long-lived clothing.
40. Keep hazardous chemicals in safe containers. M
41. Keep appliance motors well adjusted for efficiency. M
42. Mend and repair rather than discard and replace. M
43.
44. Oppose private development of special areas. M
45. Oppose roadside use of defoliants.
46. Organize or join a neighborhood toy exchange.
47. Pick up litter along streets and highways. M
48. Plant native trees and shrubs around your home.
49. Plant trees throughout your community.
50. Plant your living Christmas tree.
51. Practice preventive health care.
52. Practice responsible family planning.
53. Prepare only as much food as will be eaten. M
54. Protect your favorite distinctive natural areas.
55. Purchase goods in reusable/recyclable containers. M
56. Put a catalytic converter on your wood stove.
57. Put toxic substances out of reach of children.
58. Recycle aluminum.
59. Recycle glass.
60. Recycle newspaper.
61. Recycle old clothes.
62. Recycle plastic.
63. Recycle used motor oil.
64. Recycle your unneeded items.
65. Re-use paper bags.
66. Re-use plastic bags for storage and waste. M
67. Save up for full loads in clothes washers.
68. Save up for full loads in dishwasher. M
69. Shop by phone, then go pick up your purchases.
70. Speak out about your values in community groups.
71. Support efficient energy sources in your bioregion.
72. Support elected representatives on ecological issues.
73. Support energy conservation in your bioregion.
74. Support global ecological improvement efforts.
75. Support local credit unions. M
76. Support local merchants before large chains.
77. Support neighborhood food cooperatives.
78. Support proper waste water and sewage treatment.
79.
80. Support the plants and animals in your community.
81. Take shorter showers. M
82. Teach your children ecological wisdom.
83. Turn down the thermostat on your water heater.
84. Turn off the lights when not needed.
85. Turn off the water while you brush your teeth.
86. Use biodegradable soaps and detergents.
87. Use cloth diapers.
88. Use cloth table napkins.
89. Use less tapwater whenever possible.
90. Use non-toxic pest control.
91. Use only medications you trust/understand.
92. Use rags or towels instead of paper.
93. Use rechargeable batteries. M
94. Use the second side of paper for scratch paper. M/ADD
95. Use water from cooking vegetables to make soup.
96. Volunteer for work in a community garden.
97. Volunteer to maintain local parks and wilderness.
98. Wash clothes in cold water.
99. Wash dishes in still, not running water.
100. Weather-seal your home.
101. Work to unlearn poor ecological habits. M/ADD