Go Green This Earth Day, Part II

Posted by Joyce Benson   4 Comments

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Happy Earth Day!  Why not do something nice for the planet and for your family?  Here are some easy things anyone can do today and every day (and they won’t cost you a dime!):

• Pick up litter when you see it.  It is especially important to pick up plastic litter (bags, bottles, caps, etc.) as they tend to get blown around and end up in our waterways where they harm aquatic life and release toxins that make their way into our foodchain.  Recycle plastic bottle caps through Aveda’s cap recycling program.
• Reduce the amount of stuff you buy.  Check the closet and the refrigerator before you go shopping so as to buy only what you need.  Reduce the amount of trash you throw away by starting a compost pile for food scraps and yard waste.  Use less paper at work, home or school.
• Re-use what still has some life left in it, as an alternative to disposal.  Perhaps a minor repair or refinishing is all it needs to be useful once again.  Also, re-use your grocery bags, or better yet, bring along a re-usable tote for your goodies.  Break out those re-usable, washable fabric napkins and dish towels instead of using disposable napkins and paper towels.
• Recycle plastic, paper, metal, and anything else that can be recycled instead of throwing away these things.  Check with your local municipality to properly recycle household hazardous waste and electronics.
• Donate unwanted household items to your local thrift shop, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, or architectural salvage facility.
• Ride your bike or walk to your destination if possible, or carpool or take mass-transit.  If you do drive, be sure your tires are properly inflated for better gas mileage.
• Plant a tree.  You can receive 10 free trees to plant yourself, or have 10 trees planted for you in our nation’s forests, when you donate $10 to the National Arbor Day Foundation.
• Stop the junk mail!
• Turn off the lights, computer, and television when not needed.
• Clean with home-made natural products.  See my earlier posts here and here.
• Open the windows for some fresh air if the weather is pleasant.  You’ll save money and reduce pollution when you turn off the mechanical heating/cooling system.  If you do have to use the mechanical system, keep your heat at or below 68 degrees, and your a/c at or above 78 degrees, and don’t forget to lower it when you go to bed or are away from home.  Programmable thermostats make this task easy and energy efficient.
• Don’t use pesticides and weed killers on your lawn.   These chemicals have detrimental effects on our children, water supplies, wildlife, and the soil in which our food is grown.
• Take a hike!  Enjoy the great green outdoors, by taking a walk or going on a picnic with your family and/or friends.

Tag(s): Earth Day, For Kids, Going Green, Money Saving

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