There’s quite a spectrum when it come to green living. Whether you’re a treehugging, protest-marching, tofu-frying greenie or simply trying to figure out where to start on your path to sustainability, it’s always helpful to take a moment to review the basics of going green. Here are 10 simple steps to get you on your way to a more environmentally conscious lifestyle – or to remind yourself of habits that need a little more commitment.
Recycle aluminum and tin cans, paper products, plastics and glass. Compost organic matter. Safely dispose of toxic chemicals.
Unplug electronics when you’re not using them. Ever hear of vampire power? No, it’s not the latest horror movie. It refers to all the electricity appliances waste in standby mode.
During the day, pull back your shades and let natural light guide the way. As long as the sun is shining, there’s no need to rely on electricity.
Use cold water to wash all your laundry.
Switch to compact fluorescent lights or light emitting diode bulbs. Incandescent lights use four times more energy than CFL’s and ten times that of LED’s. Plus, incandescent bulbs last a mere 1,500 hours, as opposed to 10,000 and 60,000 hours for CFL’s and LED’s.
Cut down on gas by gradually accelerating and regulating tire pressure.
Break your bottled water habit. Instead, buy a filter for your faucet and use a reusable thermos.
Invest in a reusable shopping tote. They’re inexpensive and go a long way by reducing the excessive amount of plastic and paper bags wasted with every trip to the grocery store.
Upgrade to paperless banking.
Eliminate disposables by replacing paper napkins with cloth napkins, paper towels with rags, counter wipes with sponges, etc.
Stay tuned for my next installment of tips – and feel free to suggest your own!
Image: Tiago Ribeiro