Easy Green Tips!
1. No more plastic bags! Paper is good, but reusable is better. Bring your own reusable cloth shopping bag with you. Conveniently, most grocery stores offer them at a very reasonable price, right next to the register. Some stores even offer a discount incentive! Pick one up!
2. Switch to compact florescent light bulbs. You will save money on your electric bill and reduce the use of fossil fuels, but make sure you dispose of them properly... They contain Mercury. Please visit:
http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/promotions/change_ligh
t/downloads/Fact_Sheet_Mercury.pdf
for warnings and proper disposal.
3. Recycle, but watch what you are recycling. Even though most plastics have the recycling symbol on it, that doesn't mean the recyclery accepts it. Plastics no.1 and 2 are the most common recyclable plastics, but 3-7 are not as widely accepted. Contact your local recyclery to see which items are accepted.
4. Buy Earth friendly cleaning products. Seventh Generation offers a nice variety of green products that work and smell great or make your own non-toxic cleaning products. Baking Soda, lemon and vinegar work wonders and if you have an ant problem, the vinegar will take care of that too!
5. Adjust your thermostat two degrees higher in the summer and lower in the winter. Turn your water heater down to 120 degrees. You will be saving energy, money and reducing your carbon footprint. Also, some energy companies even have a discount incentive program for reducing your energy consumption. Yay!
6. Love your morning coffee ritual? Bring a BPA free, non-toxic to-go cup. Some coffee shops offer a discount when you bring in your own cup. It's not much, but it'll pay for another latte over time! If you forget your cup, make sure you recycle the cup you get. Another way to reduce is to say, "No double cup." and unless the beverage is going to blister your fingers... lose the cardboard sleeve.
7. Shop local. Buy Organic. Go to the Farmer's Market. Not only are you supporting local agriculture, but you are saving fuel required for transporting food from distant locations. Besides, the produce is fresher, cheaper and usually there are other local vendors there as well! Don't forget to bring your reusable bag!
8. Stop buying things you do not need and do not just throw things away. Have a garage sale. Donate to shelters or schools. Find a charitable organization like Project Night Night. They accept like-new stuffed animals and books for homeless children all over the country.
9. Unplug appliances and electronics when not in use. This includes phone chargers, coffee pots, etc. If your electronics can be put on a power strip or on a wall switch, that makes it a little more convenient. These things use electricity even when they are turned off.
10. Pay your bills on-line and cancel paper statements. In the Bay Area, you can also rid of junk mail by going to:
www.StopJunkMail.org.
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