Did you read how our family is celebrating Earth Day 2007 today? It may not seem like much (I’ll be the first to admit, I am no “green” machine), but I believe simple steps are important ones.
If you’re looking to take some serious measures to “green” up your home I would recommend clicking here. However, if you are simply looking for a few ways to help protect our planet on a daily basis you may consider these ideas:
· Sign up for Greendimes. Greendimes is an organization that works to cut down on junk mail. (Did you know it takes an estimated 100 million trees and 20 billion gallons of water each year to produce junk mail?) For roughly a dime a day, Greendimes will intercept 70 to 90 percent of the junk mail you’re now getting. The organization also plants a tree a month for every member.
· Turn down your water heater to 120 degrees.
· During the summer months use your ceiling fan instead of turning on the air conditioner. Also during the summer months, turn your thermostat to 78 degrees.
· Replace traditional light bulbs with compact florescent light bulbs (CFL). A CFL is 70 to 75 percent more efficient than other bulbs. They cost a bit more up front, but you will save money on your electricity bill over time. What’s more, CFL bulbs can last up to 10 years.
· Recycle. And, I’m not just talking about newspapers. Our city mandates that we also recycle cardboard and mixed paper. You should also be recycling glass items, aluminum cans, tin pans, foil, and plastic. Things that cannot be recycled include: light bulbs, ceramics, Styrofoam (especially those Styrofoam peanuts used for packing), some yogurt containers, aerosol cans, soiled boxes and anything covered in wax paper.
A note about Styrofoam: In an effort to help save the environment The Weather Channel recently announced it was banning the use of Styrofoam cups at its offices in Atlanta. Instead, the company issued reusable mugs to each of its employees. Also, if you really want to ban Styrofoam from your life, consider bringing your own reusable containers to restaurants when ordering take out… or if you think your meal will yield leftovers.
· Shop with canvas bags. Eliminate the need of having your groceries packed in plastic bags by shopping with your own reusable canvas bags. Did you know that more than 380 million plastic bags are thrown away in the United States every year, and those plastic bags can take up to 1,000 years to biodegrade in landfills? As for paper bags…well, they are better than plastic ones, but not by much. Paper bags eventually biodegrade. However, an estimated 14 million trees a year have to be cut down to make 10 billion paper bags.
What other ideas do you implement in your household to help protect the planet?
Related Articles:
Going Green-Part 1: What is A Green Home?
Going Green Part 2—“Green” Paint
Remodeling With A Hint Of “Green”