- Change to Fluorescent Bulbs - If every house in the United States changed all of the light bulbs in their house, that would be equivalent to taking one million cars off the streets.
- Don't Rinse - Skip rinsing your plates before putting them into the dishwasher. In average you will save 15 gallons of water per load. Plus, you will save time.
- Hang Outside to Dry - Get a cloths line or rack to dry your cloths. Your cloths will last longer and you will save money
- Turn off computers at night - don't just put them to sleep. You will save an average of 4 cents a day which ads up to $14.60 a year.
- Use Both Sides of Paper - if you have a printer with a double sided print option use it. You will save half of the amount of paper you would have normally used.
- Get rid of baths - Don't take baths, take showers. You will in average save about half the amount of water that you would if you were taking a bath.
- Don't get bottled water - Instead of bottled water get a reusable container to carry water. Also you can get a filter to make your home tap taste more like bottled water. It is definitely more cost efficient.
- Turn the water off when you brush - Your parents have said this before, now I say it. You will save 4 gallons of water doing this alone.
- Shorten your shower - Every minute you cut from your shower is roughly 5 gallons of water. The less time your shower takes, the lower your impact on the environment.
- Recycle Glass - If you do not recycle this, it will take a million years to decompose.
- Don't Pre-Heat the Oven - unless needed, just turn the oven on after you put the dish in it. Also, to see if it's finished just look through the glass instead of opening it.
- Use Warm or Cold Setting on Washer - instead of the hot cycle use the warm or cold setting. This will save a lot of energy a year.
- Turn Down your Thermostat - Every degree lower in the winter or higher in the summer you put it is a 10% decrease on your energy bill.
- Turn off your lights - An easy one. Turn off your lights when you are not using them. The benefits are obvious.
- Get rid of junk mail - There are many services that can help you get rid of junk mail. That will lead to a lot less trees being cut down to take up room in your mailbox.
- Use Matches instead of lighters - Lighters are usually considered disposable so they will most likely end up in land fills. You can use the cardboard matches which are much more eco-friendly because they are made of recycled material.
- Don't get a paper phone book - Instead of getting a paper phone book. Use a online directory instead.
- Give things away - Take things that you are not going to wear or use and give it to a charity or someone who will use it.
- Go to a car wash - Going to a car wash is a lot more water efficient then washing your car at home.
- Stop paper bank statements - Why waste paper getting your bank statement mailed to you when you can just check it out online.
- Buy Rechargeable Batteries - Even though it will take a good investment to buy these you will find yourself gaining it back in no time.
- Pay your Bills Online - If every house in the US did this then we would save 18 million trees every year.
- Get a reusable bag - You can't recycle plastic bags, instead get yourself a reusable bag so that you won't have to worry about carrying your necessities.
- Do Errands in Bulk - Make a list of the things you have to do, and see if you can fit a couple of those things together in one ride.
- Inflate your Tires - If your tires are inflated at all times your car will run more miles on less gas.
- Wrap Presents Creatively - Without going out to get wrapping paper you can use newspaper, an old map, or anything else. It would look a whole lot more creative.
- Plant a Tree - It's good for the air, can keep you cool, and can increase your property value.
- Buy Local Produce - Consider how much energy it takes for produce from china or any other country to come here. If you have the option to buy local, do it.
- Walk or Ride Your Bike When you can - If you have to go somewhere close consider riding your bike or walking there instead of your car. It's better on the environment and healthier.
nov 23 2009 ∞
mar 28 2010 +