April 25, 2011

We've been very busy talking about Easter projects and goodies these past few weeks, but I didn't want this day to go by without mentioning it.

This past Friday, April 22nd was the 41st anniversary of the first Earth Day. Earth Day is a day that was founded and is intended to raise awareness for our Earth's natural environment and promote green living.

As the population increases at a mind-boggling rate, more and more people are becoming increasingly aware and concerned about the threat to our world's natural resources.

Both BigSis and I have committed to making 2011 the year that we make going green a part of our daily lives. It doesn't take a lot of effort, but simple things we do every day can make a huge impact!

Did you know that you can run a TV for six hours on the amount of electricity that is saved by recycling one aluminum can? And by recycling one glass bottle, you save enough electricity to power a 100-watt bulb for four hours.

I've put together a list of 25 very simple things you can do right now to help reduce your environmental impact, save money, and live a happier, healthier life.

Recycle.

• Bring your own reusable bags when you go shopping.
• R, R, and R. Reduce consumption, reuse whatever possible, and re-purpose old items.
• Know what can and can't be recycled in your area.
• Use a reusable stainless steel water bottle instead of buying plastic bottles.
  
• Buy recycled products.
• Before you throw something out, research online to find out if it's recyclable. Items such as yoga mats and old gym shoes are now being recycled to make new products.
• DON'T throw batteries or electronics into your trash.
  
• Recycle your cell phones and computer equipment.
  
• Give your gadgets a new life and fight e-waste by trading on Ebay Instant Sale.

Save energy.

• Turn off all lights when not in use. (This is my biggest pet peeve and my hubby hears about it every time I walk in a room where he's left the lights on.)
• Change all light bulbs to compact fluorescent lamps, CFLs.
• Unplug all electronics when not in use.
• Lower your thermostat in the winter and raise it in the summer.
• When time to replace an appliance, choose one with an Energy Star Approval.
• Wash as many clothes as possible in cold water.
• Hang clothes on a rack or clothesline whenever possible instead of using the dryer.

Save water.

• Switch to a low-flow shower head.
• Repair leaky faucets.
• Turn the water off when you brush your teeth.
• Wash only full loads of laundry.
• Take shorter showers. (This will lower your water bill and energy bill.)
• Plant drought-tolerant, native plants in your garden.

Save a tree.

• Convert to online statements and payments for as many bills as possible. To organize, just set up email folders for payment statements and confirmations.
• Instead of tossing tons of paper, tissue, and gift bags each year, get creative and try packaging gifts in reusable items like tea towels, scarves, or bandanas.
• Instead of buying boxed or bagged items, switch to glass storage containers and buy staples such as cereal, nuts, lentils, and rice in the bulk section of your store.

I hope this gives you some ideas of simple things that you can start doing today in and around your own home. Most of these can be done on a daily basis without too much trouble and when you GO GREEN, you SAVE GREEN!

~LilSis