Living Green Can Save You More Green
Posted: Thursday, May 07, 2009
by Tracey Watson
The Dalai Lama put it best when he said, "We have a responsibility to look after our planet. It is our only home." It's not too late to do something about the world we live in. Is it really possible for the average person to make a noticeable difference? The answer is a resounding YES! Here are some easy tips for helping the world we live in:
Reuse clothing - go vintage. There are many high-quality vintage or second-hand fashions where you can purchase new (to you) clothes at bargain prices. This will help not only avoid waste, but also some of the inhumane working conditions in the foreign garment industry.
Paper or plastic? Neither! If you really want to go green, get reusable bags to use for all of your shopping needs. Many are made of biodegradable jute or other recycled products. These bags are fabulous for multiple uses - going to the farmer's market, the gym, or running around the mall.
Send E-cards! Save paper and the landfill. There are great sites available with cards for EVERY occasion.
Sun Kissed Laundry - whenever possible, let the sun dry your clothes. During the winter, place a bar over the washer/dryer to hang clothes (on a hanger). It is easy to do, and saves so much electricity.
Seal cracks around doors and windows so you don't lose your heating and cooling out the cracks.
Change out all of your light bulbs to the energy efficient type. Though it is slightly more expensive initially, it will save you money in the long run because of the energy savings, and they last a lot longer.
Stop junk mail (www.dmachoice.org). This (and other websites like it) work by having your name removed from many marketing agencies. It doesn't stop ALL junk, but reduces it greatly.
While you are at it, start receiving your bills online. It is extremely convenient, and saves so much paper.
When you leave the house, turn off the lights. When you go to bed at night, turn off all of the lights. If you are someone with kids, or like some light, use a low-watt night light only.
Don't leave all your rechargers, computers, and television on every night or while you are away. It is amazing how much electricity is wasted leaving these on.
Don't throw away old books; donate them to libraries or school programs.
When printing, use both sides of a piece of paper in order to conserve. Keep a scrap paper pile for misprinted or unnecessary documents for scrap paper. Try to reuse envelopes as many times as possible.
Paper or plastic? Neither! If you really want to go green, get reusable bags to use for all of your shopping needs. Many are made of biodegradable jute or other recycled products. These bags are fabulous for multiple uses - going to the farmer's market, the gym, or running around the mall.
Send E-cards! Save paper and the landfill. There are great sites available with cards for EVERY occasion.
Sun Kissed Laundry - whenever possible, let the sun dry your clothes. During the winter, place a bar over the washer/dryer to hang clothes (on a hanger). It is easy to do, and saves so much electricity.
Seal cracks around doors and windows so you don't lose your heating and cooling out the cracks.
Change out all of your light bulbs to the energy efficient type. Though it is slightly more expensive initially, it will save you money in the long run because of the energy savings, and they last a lot longer.
Stop junk mail (www.dmachoice.org). This (and other websites like it) work by having your name removed from many marketing agencies. It doesn't stop ALL junk, but reduces it greatly.
While you are at it, start receiving your bills online. It is extremely convenient, and saves so much paper.
When you leave the house, turn off the lights. When you go to bed at night, turn off all of the lights. If you are someone with kids, or like some light, use a low-watt night light only.
Don't leave all your rechargers, computers, and television on every night or while you are away. It is amazing how much electricity is wasted leaving these on.
Don't throw away old books; donate them to libraries or school programs.
When printing, use both sides of a piece of paper in order to conserve. Keep a scrap paper pile for misprinted or unnecessary documents for scrap paper. Try to reuse envelopes as many times as possible.
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For more information on all aspects of living green and saving money, go to: http://www.SuperLivingGreen.com
Tracey is a Nurse and an entrepreneur with varied interests; health, wellness, fitness, travel, decorating, and dance. Check out her website at http://www.SuperLivingGreen.com |
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Top-level comments on this article: (10 total)Great tips, some i already use, like lightbulbs, online bills etc, but there is always more you can do to be more enviromentally friendly. Great article.Hi Samuel! I know that I don't do enough, but I certainly try.... thanks for your comment. Have a great weekend. Tracey : )
How timely! Great ideas, reminders and resources. Good article, Tracey!Hi! Thanks for reading and commenting. Have a great weekend and Go Green! Tracey : )
Great tips, Tracey. I especially like the one about using both sides of a paper. It is amazing to see how much paper, with just a few things on it is tossed without a second thought.Hi Lorrie! Sometimes, all it takes is just a moment to think about something and how to conserve paper or waste. There are other times I just realize I don't need to print things out at all.... Thanks for commenting. Have a great weekend. Tracey : )
Great tips on saving money and going green! Thank youHi Jami! I think if people just try little, bite sized things, it can make a big impact. Thanks for commenting. Have a great day.... Tracey : )
Great article. Well done.The planet is big and hence needs a big effort to save- one that includes everyone. Including Clarkson.Hi Connor! Yes, a big planet, many people.... if most people try to do even little things it would make a HUGE difference. And of course if some people do bigger things, better yet. Thanks for writing. Have a nice weekend! Tracey : )
This is good, simple advise that anyone can follow. I especially like the one about used books. In fact, in the 1980's my wife and I started a used book store. It was a great business. Not only were we being 'green', we were making a living out of it.Hi David! Simple things are usually the easiest to remember and often the most effective. I LOVE used book stores, as does my daughter. What fun that must have been to have one. Thanks so much for commenting. Have a great weekend. Tracey : )
Tracy, this is one wonderful piece of article. It is very informative and full of tips and guides. I think I have done most of what you suggested, so I am in the right track.Go green! Live green!Best regards,NenitaHi Nenita! Well, I am so happy you are doing your part, and see how easy these things are? Keep up the good work. Have a fabulous weekend.... Tracey : )
Great title!Thanks Steve! Have a nice weekend. Tracey : )
Tracey,Great write! Some very helpful information you have in this write, thanks for sharing it with us.Hi Ronyae! Thanks for your comment, I am glad you enjoyed the article. I hope you have a fabulous weekend......... Tracey : )I'm going to try, Tracey! And you do the same (smile).
Some good tips here. Just remember, though: it isn't 'our' planet. We just happen to be using it. As with a campsite, we should leave it as we found it.Hi Michael! Right you are! I do stand corrected...... we sometimes feel entitled to take over things that aren't ours. We need to take care of it even more when it is not! Have a nice day and weekend. Tracey : )
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