Going Green the Easy Way
Posted May 13, 2009, 2:03 pm in GB TopicsThere are so many reasons to go green -- it not only saves the world, it can save you some serious cash! And it's one of the most important issues for people as they get older, according to study after study.
But it can be overwhelming to get started, so we've put together these tips, along with our friends at Green Cities.
Change your light bulbs.
See? Cheap and easy. Compact fluorescent lights, or CFLs, can last up to 10 times as long as traditional bulbs, and only use a tiny bit of energy. Save energy, save money, save the world.
Recycle aluminum.For the same amount of energy that it takes to make one new can, workers can make 20 cans from recycled material. And the energy that's needed to run one aluminum refinery for just one day is about the same as the amount of energy needed to run a city the size of Tacoma, Washington. Recycling aluminum only takes 5 percent of the amount of energy. You do the math.
Shut things off.C'mon, we all do it -- walk out of a room and leave the lights on, or fall asleep with the TV blaring. Take an extra second to flip those devices off, and you're well on your way to making a difference. Want to take am even bigger step? Plug those devices into a power strip and shut the strip off when you don't need the electronics. You may not realize it, but when TVs, phones and more are turned off but still plugged in, they're draining power.
Build smart.When you're planning a renovation, do your homework. Almost 50 percent of energy loss for a building is through doors and windows. Buy energy-saving windows and doors, and keep the heat in. While you're shopping, remember to buy energy-efficient appliances like washing machines and dishwashers.
Nuke your nuggets.Using the microwave to heat up your food takes 65 percent less energy than an electrical oven, and 40 percent less than natural gas.
Bag your bad habits.People all across the world use as many as 1 million new plastic bags every minute -- every minute -- at a cost of 2.2 billion gallons of oil a year. Reduce, reuse, recycle, people.
Cover your tracks.When you buy the hottest songs from iTunes or other online stores, you not only get your cool tunes instantly, you help conserve the oil that's used in transporting CDs to and from the stores, plus the packaging that's used to market that CD.
Those are some relatively simple options. But there are some more exotic ways of conserving, too!Bring your own chopsticks.
China produces and gets rids of more than 45 billion pairs of disposable chopsticks every year! That takes 25 million trees, and you can help stop the madness by bringing your own chopsticks when you eat out.
Phone it in.For every 5 meetings that are held by video conference instead of flying cross-country, it's like taking a car completely off the road for an entire year.
Push the right buttons.A 2-button double flush toilet saves at least half the water per day, per household, than a regular toilet.
Bamboo stores more carbon dioxide and generates 35 percent more oxygen than an equivalent stand of trees. Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants on the planet, and is a great sustainable resource.
Still not convinced? Or maybe you just need proof that small changes make a big difference. Check out these links for inspiration.And to learn more about how cities all across America are going green, visit the Green Cities Web site.
© 2006-2012. Growing Bolder Media Group. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Posted 11:58am July 5th, 2009Very good tips and I'm happy to say I follow most of them.
About plastic bags - the clean ones products come in - I use them to slip my small crochet projects and yarn and needle in keeping it handy beside my chair..much easier to manage and saves the environment..and keeps it from getting lost..
ET