Tips To A Greener Lifestyle
In order to live greener, you must make an effort to be environmentally responsible every day. The changes you make do not have to occur all in one day. As each day passes, you can gradually make small efforts to change your lifestyle. Even the simplest of actions that you take to protect the environment will have a positive impact on the natural world. Listed below are 12 tips on how to live a greener lifestyle.
Tips To A Greener Lifestyle
1. Reduce landfill waste by avoiding the use of Styrofoam containers, plastic and paper bags. When dining out at a restaurant, take along single serving Tupperware containers for leftovers. Carry along reusable canvas tote bags to the grocery store when shopping for groceries.
2. If you must drive your car daily for commuting back and forth to work, keep the vehicle in good running condition to save on fuel mileage. Check the tire pressure frequently, replace the air and oil filters regularly and obey the speed limit while driving to save on the cost of gas.
3. Computers, printers, televisions and radios continue to use electricity even when they are sitting idle. Save energy costs by turning off and unplugging all electronic devices when they are not in use.
4. Lower your electrical bill by replacing the incandescent light bulbs throughout your home with compact fluorescent light bulbs. Fluorescent lighting uses around 75 percent less energy and lasts up to 10 times longer then regular light bulbs.
5. Consider switching to green power, which is renewable energy that is generated by solar and wind power.
6. Reduce the cost of your electrical bill by washing your laundry in cold water. Line dry the clothes to help protect the environment and save on energy cost. An added advantage to line drying is less shrinkage of the clothing, which often occurs from the intense heat generated by dryers.
7. Buy local grown produce instead of foods that are shipped to the supermarket by boat, plane, train or truck. These modes of transportation are all known to emit greenhouse gases, which is harmful to the environment.
8. Purchase snack foods such as cookies and crackers in full size boxes instead of individual packages to prevent more waste from going into the landfill.
9. Reduce energy and water consumption by running only full loads in your major appliances, such as the dishwasher or washing machine. If you are looking to replace a broken appliance, buy an energy efficient model with the label Energy Star on it.
10. Protect the environment by replacing the bottled water you normally drink with water that you have filtered yourself and poured into reusable bottles.
11. Reduce the energy usage of your air conditioning unit in the summer by planting trees around your home that will provide cool shade on hot sunny days.
12. Building and shipping new furniture to warehouses requires both materials and energy. If possible, check the ads in your local newspaper and online for acceptable deals on used furniture.