Why Green?
Going green is about doing your part to help keep the environment clean and healthy for you and your loved ones. You can get started by simply paying attention to your actions and making some small changes that can have large impacts. Here are some tips to help you on your way to being green.
Save Energy
Reducing energy use promotes clean air by using fewer fossil fuels and can save you money on your electric bill.
Turn off/unplug appliances and lights when not in use
Use the microwave to cook small meals – it uses less power than an oven
Insulate your home, water heater, and pipes to prevent wasted heat/cool loss
Conserve Water
Reducing water use protects water stores during dry seasons, reduces energy needs at municipal water systems, and can save you money on your water bill.
- Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving
- Wash only full loads of laundry and dishes
- Repair leaky faucets and toilets – those small drips can add up to a lot of water
Reduce Waste
- Recycle all you can – making products from recycled materials can use less energy than starting from raw materials
- Compost – food scraps buried in a landfill let off stinky methane, but composting gives you rich nutrients for your garden
- Buy products with less packaging and/or those made of recycled materials to complete the reuse cycle
- Use reusable shopping bags instead of paper or plastic – many stores give you a reward for this
- Drop the water bottle habit by using a reusable metal or BPA-free plastic bottle and fill it at a faucet – the water from your tap is better regulated than that sold in bottles, so it’s not just cheaper, but most likely cleaner – use a filter if your water has an unpleasant taste
Start out with a few items and in no time you’ll be discovering even more ways to green your life.
Special thanks to my sister, Dr. Marianne, for this article. 🙂