·
Save energy to save money.
·
Install compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs)
when your older incandescent bulbs burn out.
·
Set your thermostat a few degrees lower in the
winter and a few degrees higher in the summer to save on heating and cooling
costs.
·
Unplug appliances when you're not using them.
Or, use a "smart" power strip that senses when appliances are off and
cuts "phantom" or "vampire" energy use.
·
Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible.
As much as 85 percent of the energy used to machine-wash clothes goes to
heating the water.
·
Use a drying rack or clothesline to save the
energy otherwise used during machine drying.
·
Save water to save money.
·
Take shorter showers to reduce water use. This
will lower your water and heating bills too.
·
Install a low-flow showerhead. They don't cost
much, and the water and energy savings can quickly pay back your investment.
·
Make sure you have a faucet aerator on each
faucet. These inexpensive appliances conserve heat and water, while keeping
water pressure high.
·
Plant drought-tolerant native plants in your
garden. Many plants need minimal watering. Find out which occur naturally in
your area.
·
Less gas = more money (and better health!).
·
Walk
or bike to
work. This saves on gas and parking costs while improving your cardiovascular
health and reducing your risk of obesity.
·
Consider telecommuting if you live far from
your work. Or move closer. Even if this means paying more rent, it could save
you money in the long term.
·
Lobby
your local government to increase spending on sidewalks and bike
lanes. With little cost, these improvements can pay huge dividends in bettering
your health and reducing traffic.
·
Skip the bottled water.
·
Use a water filter to purify tap water instead
of buying bottled
water.
Not only is bottled water expensive, but it generates large amounts of container waste.
·
Bring a reusable water bottle, preferably
aluminum rather than plastic, with you when traveling or at work.
·
Check out this short article for the latest on
bottled water trends.
·
Think before you buy.
·
Go online to find new or gently used
secondhand products. Whether you've just moved or are looking to redecorate,
consider a service like to track down furniture, appliances, and other
items cheaply or for free.
·
Check out garage sales, thrift stores, and
consignment shops for clothing and other everyday items.
·
Watch a video about what happens when you buy thing. Your purchases have a real impact, for
better or worse.
·
Borrow instead of buying.
·
B.
This saves money, not to mention the ink and paper that goes into printing new
books.
·
Share power tools and other appliances. Get to
know your neighbors while cutting down on the number of things cluttering your
closet or garage.
·
Buy smart.
·
Buy in bulk. Purchasing food from bulk bins
can save money and packaging.
·
Wear clothes that don't need to be
dry-cleaned. This saves money and cuts down on toxic chemical use.
·
Invest in high-quality, long-lasting products.
You might pay more now, but you'll be happy when you don't have to replace
items as frequently (and this means less waste!).
·
Keep electronics out of the trash.
·
Keep your cell phones, computers, and other electronics as long as possible.
·
Donate or recycle them responsibly when the
time comes. E-waste contains mercury and other toxics and is a growing
environmental problem.
·
Recycle your cell phone.
·
Ask your local government to set up an electronics recycling and hazardous waste collection event.
·
Make your own cleaning supplies.
·
The big secret: you can make very effective,
non-toxic cleaning products whenever you need them. All you need are a few
simple ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, lemon, and soap.
·
Making your own cleaning products saves money,
time, and packaging-not to mention your indoor air quality.
0 comments:
Post a Comment