Do you want to go green, but don’t know how?
A lot of people like the idea of “going green” and helping to not only save the planet, but clean up their own environment at home. Green cleaning products, safer personal care products, and eco-friendly clothing are just some of the ways to improve your own space. It’s about making more environmentally friendly decisions in every day choices, like food and traveling. You can reduce your own environmental impact, a little at a time, and work toward sustainability and zero waste as a goal.
But how do you go about doing it without spending a fortune, upsetting your family, and making a bigger environmental impact than before you started? Let’s take a look at what you can do to make a difference, even a little at a time.
It’s About Making Daily Choices
As I mentioned in a previous article on organic baby products, a lot of people start going green when they have a baby. But you don’t need an excuse (or a baby) to start changing your habits and becoming environmentally responsible. You can become more eco-friendly no matter where you are in life, whether you’re starting junior high school, recently retired, or somewhere in between.
Going green is about making individual choices every day that can benefit the environment, both at home and globally. It may be easier to do if you’re single, but as a family, it’s a great way to work together on something that has an effect on everyone. What can you do differently today that can make an impact?
Three Levels Of Green
To make your eco-friendly transition easier, start small and work your way up. Some things will be easy, and a change of habit that will take some adjusting. Some things will be more difficult and cost more (i.e., solar panels to reduce electric bills.)
Level One: Light Green
Start simple with these easy ways to reduce your carbon footprint.
- Evaluate what you can do. If you’re single, give some thought to what you can do to start living greener. Families can sit down together and talk about what green means to each member, and what ways each person can do to start living greener. Make a list and get started.
- Turn off and unplug. Turn off lights that aren’t needed, and unplug things that aren’t regularly used. While you need your refrigerator, a toaster, blender, radio or other smaller electrical appliances can add to your utility bill just by being plugged in. If you don’t need it, unplug it.
- Conserve water. Turn off the water when you brush your teeth, and take shorter showers. If you have a dishwasher, you might be concerned about the amount of electricity it uses. But when you consider how much water hand-washing uses, an energy-efficient dishwasher may be the better choice.
- Bring food with you. Bringing your lunch and snacks to work, school or other ventures out. It will save you money on eating out, lessen waste and give you better control over what you’re eating.
- Plan your meals. Meal planning can help cut down on food waste, save money and avoid takeout when everyone is wondering what’s for dinner. Takeout costs more, and requires more energy to produce, as well as adds to garbage and landfill waste.
- Avoid bottled water. There are numerous water bottles that are made for traveling and can be refilled anytime. Buying bottled water is expensive, and much of it is simply filtered tap water. Plastic bottles may add chemicals to the water, and the discard simply adds to the problem of landfill waste and pollution. If you can recycle these plastics—along with aluminum and other recyclables—be consistent.
- Bring your coffee mug with you. Like visiting your favorite coffee shop? Bring your own thermal coffee cup or travel mug instead of taking the paper cup with you when possible. Your coffee will stay hot longer, it’s one less piece of trash for the landfill, and some places (like Starbucks) even offer a small discount when you bring your own. (Always make sure it’s clean first.)
- Borrow, don’t buy. Get familiar with your local library. Libraries now have (or have access to) digital media, DVDs and books that you don’t necessarily want to buy. They can also do an interlibrary loan on request to get you something they don’t have locally. Find out what they have to offer, and take advantage. Some libraries have free computer classes, lectures and other cultural events that are usually free. Many have branded items for sale inexpensively (bags, cups, pens) that support the library, so get a cup for your next coffee run. Check their website or Facebook page to find out what’s coming up, and what you can take advantage of, and give back to your library when you can.
- Re-Use, don’t discard. Learn to re-use items that you might normally throw away. Old t-shirts and other garments can be re-made into other useful products. Don’t know where to start? Check Pinterest for pins and boards dedicated to re-using and recycling.
- Bring cloth shopping bags. Kick the plastic bag habit. You can buy cloth shopping bags almost anywhere, including most grocery, discount and department stores. ChicoBags are perfect little shopping bags that are durable, washable, and compress down to a little pack.
- Recycle plastic shopping bags. Many grocery and big-box stores will take excess plastic shopping bags for recycling; just ask. You can also use them at home for storage, small bathroom trash bags, and scooping out the cat box. If you use them, of course, use them, but if not, start reducing the intake of plastic grocery bags and make sure they’re not heading for a landfill.
- Use non-disposable plates, bowls and cutlery. Paper plates and other disposables are convenient, but they can fill up a landfill quickly and may not biodegrade.
- Do eco-friendly laundry. Consider washing clothes in cold water, using less hot water, and switching to a more eco-friendly detergent that’s biodegradable, less toxic and free from synthetic colors and heavy fragrances.
Level Two: Medium Green
Once you’ve started, move up the ladder to these intermediate “green” changes you (and your family) can make.
- Buy greener products. Start looking for and buying “greener” brands of the products you buy. Cleaning solutions, laundry and dishwasher detergents, bathroom cleaners and other household products may be toxic to both your family and the environment. Investigate what’s available, check online reviews, and begin cycling out the less eco-friendly brands. You can also find recipes and instructions online to make DIY versions of some household products for less than you buy them.
- Replace your light bulbs. Start replacing your older bulbs with more energy-efficient CFL (compact fluourescent light) bulbs. Incandescent bulbs are becoming obsolete, and can generate heat. Most people are familiar with the “curly bulbs,” but CFLs now come in a wide range of styles. (Caution: because there is a small amount of mercury in these bulbs, they must be taken to a recycling center, and not thrown out with the regular trash.)
- Learn to sew. Not ornate ball gowns and wedding dresses, just the basics. Mending is easy, and you can save time and money keeping your clothes in good repair. Replace the buttons and zippers yourself, and repair frayed hems to make your clothes last a lot longer. (Sewing is also a good survival skill to have.)
- Make your own shopping bags. Permanent shopping bags are readily available everywhere, but you can also make your own. Look for patterns and instructions online (like Pinterest). Butterick Patterns has a wide variety of bag patterns. Their pattern #5338 has five different versions, including one for hot/cold items. Butterick’s See & Sew pattern #5635 is easier, and has two versions of shopping bags. Re-using some fabric discards? Butterick has a number of bag patterns available that are great for salvaged fabrics. Patterns are available nationwide in fabric stores and online at their website. Need a gift? Think about making shopping bags for your “green” friends, or to encourage your friends to go green.
- Use smaller appliances. Think 110 vs. 220. Cooking on the stove can take a lot of energy, but smaller appliances may be able to help. Toaster ovens, slow cookers and other small appliances are frequently used for a short period of time. They’ll use less energy than a stove/oven, and generate a lot less heat during the summer, and can cut down your utility costs.
- Eat locally. Food is usually imported from somewhere, but you may live near local farmers who have to compete with bigger grocery and discount stores. Visiting farmers markets—or farmers directly, if they’re available to do that—keeps money in the local economy and cuts down on fuel consumption. It also helps support smaller farmers (who may even be organic.)
- Start a garden. Do have a small plot of land to grow things? A patio? A windowsill? Growing your own food, even just a little, can give you an advantage. You’ll not only help the environment, you can eat a little more local a little more sustainable, and a little more organic. Plus you’ll have the pride that comes with having your own garden. Learn how to get started no matter where you live.
- Use public transit, carpooling or vanpooling. Do you commute a long distance to work every day? Consider finding a carpool to save money and gas. Public transit can also make your commute easier. Many public transit companies also run vanpools for less than it would cost you to drive and pay for parking, so check those out as well. You can use the time for reading, streaming music or podcasts or other tasks you’d normally have to sit for. (Embroidery, anyone?)
- Walk, bike or telecommute. If you can, and it’s practical, take advantage. Walking and biking are excellent exercises, and telecommuting will allow you to save on fuel and exercise at home.
- Consolidate your trips. If you’ve got some shopping and errands to do, try to make as few trips as possible, and plan before you go. Instead of making multiple “special trips,” save them for the one day you’re “going into town” or headed to the city center. You’ll save gas, time, and reduce pollution all at once.
Level Three: Dark Green
Ready for more advanced steps? These are a little more involved and expensive, but can help with energy conservation.
- Use energy efficient appliances. Update your outdated appliances with newer, more efficient Energy Star appliances. These are appliances that can, in the long run, save you money on your electric bill.
- Install solar panels and wind turbines. Done correctly, these can help generate electricity, save, and possibly earn a little money, depending on where you live. Solar panels can only do so much, but a solar/wind hybrid system can give you the best of both worlds. The Department of Energy has more info on their website, and tax credits may be available for installing a solar/wind system. They’re readily available at places like Amazon, but you should do research before buying a system.
- Update your HVAC system to a geothermal system. While it’s been around for more than 60 years, a geothermal system is an expensive and (and invasive) commitment. However, it’s the most eco-friendly type of HVAC system that uses a lot less electricity than a standard HVAC. The Department Of Energy has this page that explains more about geothermal systems, and they’re available from companies like Trane. However, you must do some reading and homework before you allow any digging on your land, since geothermal may not be ideal in your area.
Just Become A Little Eco-Conscious Every Day
Going green doesn’t have to be a huge, overwhelming project. It’s about changing your habits and learning new ones, and being consistent. Once you get started going green, it will be easier to keep going. You don’t have to do everything at once—just start, and continue updating to new, eco-friendly habits. Over time, they’ll pay off, and you’ll be proud to know you did your part.
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