40 Ways To Go Green

Nowadays it is easier and cheaper to be environmentally friendly. Even making the smallest change in lifestyle can help save the environment. Take a look at these 40 ideas for going green, many that will cost you nothing or save you money!

1. Use a programmable thermostat. It will allow you to use less heat or cooling at times when you don’t need it, but still keep your home comfortable.
2. Save gasoline by walking, riding a bicycle, or carpooling whenever possible. Combine errands so that you spend less time driving.
3. Save water by turning off the faucet while you brush your teeth and taking shorter showers. Wait until the dishwasher has a full load before running it.
4. Look into alternate energy sources. Alternatives like solar, wind and geothermal power can save you money and help the environment.
5. Keep your car maintained and your tires properly inflated to save on gas. Lighten the load if your truck. Look for other ways to save fuel and choose an efficient new car. 7 buy local and organic
6. Use less packaging. Evaluate purchases and choose products with recyclable packaging and fewer waste products.
7. Cut down on bottled water purchases. Bottled water uses up resources and produces container waste. Install a water filter instead.
8. Use natural cleaning products. Try household staples like baking soda and vinegar for household cleaning.
9. Re-use food containers, especially ones that are made from non-recyclable materials. Clean them out and use them for storing small items like craft supplies, nails and screws, jewelry and small toys.
10. Let in sunlight to add heat to your home in the winter. Find window treatments that provide insulation and light filtration. Look for additional features when choosing window coverings, like products that are recyclable or organic.
11. Reduce "vampire power” – the power that some electronics use even when they are turned off. Unplug appliances and electronic devices, or use a power strip to power everything off.
12. Instead of buying new furniture, clothing, toys and other household items, consider buying used.
13. Swap items, freecycle them, or buy second hand online or at consignment and thrift shops.
14. Replace older plumbing fixtures with modern, efficient ones. Install low flow toilets and showerheads to save water.
15. Plant native and drought resistant plants in your garden and lawn. They will require less watering, and also won’t need chemical treatments or pesticides to survive.
16. Use paper bags instead of plastic. An even better alternative is to use a large, reusable canvas bag for shopping.
17. Look for recyclable roofing materials when it’s time to replace your roof. Old roof tiles are rarely recycled, and can emit toxic materials when heated by the sun.
18. Cut back on meat and eat more vegetarian meals. Growing produce requires less energy than raising and processing animals. Even one meatless day each week can save resources.
19. Teach children to go green. Have them help with recycling. Teach them to turn off lights and water. Find fun ways for them to learn about the environment.
20. Put a stop to junk mail. Contact the Direct Marketing Association to have your name removed from lists, and contact any catalog companies and request that they stop sending. When you do receive it, make sure it’s recycled.
21. Find eco friendly alternatives for laundry detergent. Most of these products are made from plants and free of chemicals and additives.
22. Find other ways to go green in the laundry room. Using only cold water can reduce utility bills. Dry clothes on a rack or a clothesline instead of the dryer.
23. Replace regular light bulbs with Compact fluorescent light bulbs. They last longer than standard bulbs and reduce electricity costs.
24. Choose energy efficient appliances. Look for Energy Star features. Check the products labeling to gauge its efficiency and electricity usage.
25. Cut back on newspaper and magazine subscriptions. While the paper is recyclable, it still takes energy and resources to produce it. Read news online or swap magazines with friends.
26. Make your entertainment greener. Download music. Compact discs produce both packaging and product waste. Download or rent movies instead of buying them.
27. For your next vehicle, look into a hybrid car. Not only do they save gas, purchasing one could give you a tax deduction.
28. Save paper when you fax. Use an internet based faxing system. If you do need to use a conventional fax machine, cut back on unnecessary items like cover pages and excess paper.
29. Recycle your printer cartridges and use recycled cartridges. Recycled cartridges use fewer resources and reduce waste. Cartridge recycling providers usually provide postage paid envelopes, so it’s easy to get started.
30. Use less paper. Read and review documents on your screen and only print if necessary. Communicate via email instead of letter or memo. Send e-cards instead of greeting cards.
31. When it’s time to purchase new computer equipment, be conservative. Don’t buy a lot of features you don’t need. Look for Energy Star monitors and other features that conserve power and energy.
32. Recycle old computers. Many companies will take back old computers, although you will be required to pay for shipping.
33. When its time to change jobs, look for an environmentally friendly company. Better yet, put your skills to work in a company that works to help the environment. Start efforts at your current place of employment to recycle and go green.
34. Save energy by purchasing a standard telephone instead of a cordless. Cordless phones need constant energy to charge and stay powered.
35. Choose green gifts. Look for a company that plants a tree in someone’s name. For cards and favors, consider plantable cards and favors for parties and events. They are made of seeds and biodegradable materials that will grow flowers when planted.
36. Avoid containers that can’t be recycled. Choose aluminum foil, cardboard, or recyclable plastics instead of Styrofoam or polystyrene containers.
37. Choose fresh vegetables and fish instead of canned varieties. Not only are the fresh varieties better for you, they take less energy and resources to package and recycle.
38. Start a compost bin. Throw in coffee grounds and other kitchen waste. It will reduce the amount of trash that goes to the curb.
39. Join a Community Supported Agriculture organization. If there isn’t one in your area, team up with neighbors to grow a shared garden.
40. Choose bar soap over liquid soap, which takes more packaging and gets used up more quickly. For an even greener alternative, look for locally produced organic and natural soap.