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For way too long we've used up the earth's resources without really considering the consequences. Do your part to create a green environment and help to reverse the effects
of pollution and waste.Lighting Tips
- Buy compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). CFLs last ten times longer and
use 2/3 of the energy of a standard bulb. Replacing all of your light bulbs at one time would be an expensive endeavor that few of us could afford. Therefore, each time you make a purchase through Green Earth Items, include in that purchase a package of CFLs.
Water Saving Tips
Do laundry in larger loads and use as little water as necessary for each load. Line dry clothes when the weather is pretty! You'll save on the electricity from the clothes dryer and also help keep your air conditioning from working over time to combat the heat of the dryer! And, line drying saves on the wear on your clothes and linens plus gives them a wonderful fresh smell!
Fix that leaky faucet or toilet.
Turn the water off while brushing your teeth.
- Using a dishwasher actually uses about 35% less water than washing dishes by hand. And, if you skip the drying cycle and let the dishes air dry you'll use about 15% less electricity.
But, always make sure that the dishwasher has a full load before running it. Although a dishwasher saves on water, running several half loads per day will end up wasting more than it saves.
- If you have a lot of plants indoors or out, catch some rain water whenever possible. Not only will you save a little more on water, you're plants will love it!
- You can also save up to 30% a month on your water bill just by installing the spray aerators. All you do is unscrew the old one and attach the new one, it will create a shower like spray in your sinks!
- Adjusting the ballcock on your toilet will make a difference to. You can
usually just twist them a little so that the tank won't have to get as full before the water shuts off. Another trick is to fill some plastic pop bottles with water and just sit them inside the toilet tank.
- The popularity of bottled water is another huge problem. Not only are people paying four and five times the price for bottled water as opposed to tap water, plastic bottles are not bio degradable.
money and give you great tasting water. Neither types of filters are
hard to install and depending on how much bottled water you buy,
the filter may pay for itself within the first month or so.
- Limit your bubble baths! Filling the tub takes a lot more water than running
the shower long enough to bathe. You can also purchase
a water saving shower head to save even more!
- Buy water-efficient fixtures and products. The WaterSense label helps shoppers identify water efficient products and programs.
Gas Saving Tips
Walk or ride a bicycle whenever possible.
Buy fuel efficient cars.
Maintain your car and be sure your tires are not under inflated which causes increased fuel usage.
Drive slower and don't accelerate or brake too hard.
If you will need to idle your car for more than one minute, turn it off.
During hot weather, don't top off your gas tank. Even a small gas spill adds to air pollution and wastes fuel.
Other Tips to Save Planet Earth
Do not throw batteries into the trash. Batteries contain mercury which is harmful to our planet. Save used batteries and take to a recycling center once a year. Use rechargeable batteries instead.
Avoid products that are used once and thrown away.
Avoid Styrofoam products or products packaged with Styrofoam. Buy products that use less packaging.
Recycle paper and use recycled paper.
Use cloth shopping bags.
Compost.
Plant a tree.
Recycle glass, plastic and cans.
Use latex paint instead of oil based paints which are toxic and require special hazardous waste handling.
Allow grass clippings to stay on the lawn, instead of bagging them. The cut grass will decompose and return to the soil naturally.
Turn off lights and other electrical items such as TV's, stereos and radios when not in use.
Do things manually instead of electrically, such as opening a can.
Turn down the air conditioner and turn on a fan.
Turn down the heat and put
on a sweater. Use a programmable thermostat so you can turn
down the air conditioning or heat at times no one is home or
at night when everyone is sleeping.
- Insulate your home.
- Turn down the thermostat on your water heater and use less hot water. Turn the water heater even lower or off during weekend absences or when away on vacation.
- Use a water heater blanket to add more insulation to your water heater.
- Clean air filters so your furnace and other appliances work efficiently.
- Set your refrigerator temperature to about 40 degrees and your freezer between 0 and 5 degrees. Anything colder wastes energy and does nothing to help preserve your food.
