20 easy ways to live green: small actions can create big change, especially when it comes to the environment; going green can be easier than you think. Here are 20 low-cost ways to lessen your impact on the planet, create a healthier home and even fatten your wallet.Use a reel lawn mower, Since reel mowers rely on you to be the engine, they are pollution-free (you don't add carbon to the atmosphere). Plus, your clothes might fit a little better! Landscape wisely. Choose native plants that are drought tolerant and resistant to summer heat. They will require less water, pesticides and fertilization. Tote your own grocery bags. Or don't ask for them if you only have a few items. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Plan ahead. If you must drive, try to combine all your errands into a single trip and consider a fuel-efficient vehicle. Fix that drip, A dripping faucet can waste up to 74 gallons a day, and a leaking toilet can waste up to 200 gallons a day. Fixing these problems will decrease household water consumption and your water bill. Get off junk mail lists. Register with the Direct Marketing Association's Mail Preference Service at Dmaconsumers.org and you'll see a significant reduction in mail after three months. Adjust fridge and freezer temps. Refrigerators eat up the most electricity in the household. Maximize efficiency by keeping the fridge at 37 degrees and the freezer at 0 degrees. Also remember to close them as soon as possible when opened. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Unplug things that glow. Anything that glows even after you turn it off continues to draw power that you pay for! Your TV, cell phone charger and printer are likely culprits. Try the Smart Strip power strip that senses when your appliances are asleep and electronically unplugs devices such as DVD players and printers until the controlling device wakes up. Check out Smarthomeusa.com. Look for the label, When it's time to replace a household appliance, choose a product with an Energy Star label. Not only will you save money, but you might be eligible for a tax credit when you purchase an Energy Star product. Find more information at Energystar.gov. Clean or replace your air-conditioning filter. A clogged filter has to work harder, which means higher power bills and the creation of more greenhouse emissions. Running clean, you could save up to $150 per year. You'll also enjoy the benefit of fewer allergy-causing particles in the air. Support local farmers. Typical grocery store produce travels nearly 1,500 miles before it ends up on your plate! All this traveling burns fossil furls, so buying from local farmers means you're not only getting the freshest food possible, you're saving energy. From May to October, visit the Farmers' Market in downtown Little Rock. Insulate your water heater, The newest electric water heaters have plenty of insulation. If you have one that was built before 2004, wrap it in an insulating blanket and save 10 percent annually on your water-heating bill. Adjust your thermostat. Moving your thermostat down just two degrees in the winter and two degrees in the summer could save 2,000 pounds of C02. Use washable plastic containers. Create less waste by packing food in washable plastic containers instead of baggies. Order in wisely. Can't face cooking tonight? Make sure nothing more than your food is delivered. When you call, request no napkins, plastic utensils, prepackaged condiments and anything else you have at home. Keep your appliances clean. Cleaning your refrigerator coils and heating vents regularly allows them to operate much more efficiently. When appliances aren't forced to work as hard, you reduce your electric bill while reducing energy. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Use sun power. Adjust your window blinds to reduce energy used for heating and cooling. In the summer, keep sunny-side blinds closed. In the winter, open up and let the sunshine in to help heat your home. Quench with respect. Eighty percent of the 25 billion single-serving plastic water bottles Americans use each year end up in landfills. Recycle your bottles--or, better yet, choose to reuse with a refillable bottle. Do full loads of laundry. Combining half loads, choosing short cycles, and using cold or warm rather than hot water in the clothes washer helps save water, power and money. Wash two fewer loads of clothes and one fewer load of dishes a week and save up to 4,500 gallons of water a year. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Put it in park. Save fuel by avoiding drive-through windows, especially if there are long lines. |
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