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It is surprising how long the list is of no-cost ideas for helping the environment. There are actually more free options than those that cost money. With a little effort, and some re-training, it's easy to make a difference. Recycle Reduce your Garbage: Recycle paper, plastic and glass. Place an extra bag under the sink and make recycling part of your routine. Your garbage company may provide you with an outside recycling can as part of your basic plan. Or, take a trip to a local recycling center and save 1,000 lbs. of carbon dioxide each year. Donate your old electronics: As technology evolves, we're continuously replacing our gadgets before they are really old. Schools usually welcome computer donations and many civic organizations accept cell phones. Televisions can be donated to people who can't afford them. Electricity Turn it off: Look around your house. Do you have lights on that you don't need? Make it a ritual to do a light check several times a day. Soon, it will be a habit. Use less wattage: Don't use a high-wattage bulb when a smaller one provides the right Appliances/Electronics Flick the switch on the power strip: If you use powerstrips for your entertainment Fill the dishwasher to capacity: Only run your dishwasher with a full load. Save 100 lbs. of Keep the oven door closed: When you open the door it lets out the heat and uses more Put a lid on it: Cooking on the stove, use a lid because heat gets trapped in and it will Air dry your clothes: Obviously a solution for spring or summer. Hang your clothes to dry instead of popping them in the dryer. Save 700 lbs. of carbon dioxide and $75 per year Remove lint after each load of laundry: Lint on the filter reduces air flow and makes the dryer work harder, increasing the time it takes to dry clothing. Heating Adjust your thermostat: All it takes is two degrees. Move your heater thermostat down two degrees in winter and up two degrees in the summer. Save 2000 lbs of carbon dioxide and $98 per year. Check the setting on your water heater: Keep your water heater thermostat no higher than 120°F. Save 550 lbs. of carbon dioxide and $30 per year. Put on a sweater: Don't turn up the heat, put on more clothes and Save 1,000 lbs. of carbon dioxide and $250 per year. Water Turn off the water when you brush your teeth: You'll save a 1 gallon of water each time you brush. Spend less time in the Shower: 2/3's of all water heating costs come from showers.
Sometimes it's tough to make it short, but you can save up to 350 lbs. of carbon dioxide and $99 per
year. Vehicles Keep air in your tires : Make sure the tires on your car are sufficiently inflated for better gas mileage. Check them monthly. This can save 250 lbs. of carbon dioxide and $840 per year. Carpool when you can: This is nothing new but the reality is, carpooling with friends and co-workers saves fuel and, these days, money too. Save 790 lbs. of carbon dioxide and hundreds of dollars per year. Cut down on idle time: When you're stuck in traffic, it's unavoidable but turn off your engine when you can. Idling wastes money and gas and contributes to pollution and global warming. Miscellaneous Call catalog companies: Cancel store catalogs, like Pottery Barn, Smith and Hawkeen, before the holiday onslaught. Take the stairs- Skip the elevator and use your legs. Conserve energy and add a bit of cardio to your busy day. Unless otherwise noted, calculations are from www.stopglobalwarming.org |