ten ways to go green and save money!
This article is taken from this website. I would highly recommend that you go and visit the original page, as there are alot more interesting links which I did not include here.
How can we live lightly on the Earth and save money at the same time? Staff members at the Worldwatch Institute, a global environmental organization, share ideas on how to GO GREEN and SAVE GREEN at home and at work.
ONE - Save energy to save money
+ Set your thermostat a few degrees lower in the winter and a few degrees higher in the summer to save on heating and cooling costs.
+ Install compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) when your older incandescent bulbs burn out.
+ Unplug appliances when you're not using them. Or, use a "smart" power strip that senses when appliances are off and cuts "phantom" or "vampire" energy use.
+ Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible. As much as 85 percent of the energy used to machine-wash clothes goes to heating the water.
+ Use a drying rack or clothesline to save the energy otherwise used during machine drying. If you must use a dryer, consider adding dryer balls to cut drying time.
TWO - Save water to save money
+ Take shorter showers to reduce water use. This will lower your water and heating bills too.
+ Install a low-flow showerhead. They don't cost much, and the water and energy savings can quickly pay back your investment.
+ Make sure you have a faucet aerator on each faucet. These inexpensive appliances conserve heat and water, while keeping water pressure high.
+ Plant drought-tolerant native plants in your garden. Many plants need minimal watering. Find out which occur naturally in your area.
THREE - Less gas = more money (and better health!)
+ Walk or bike to work. This saves on gas and parking costs while improving your cardiovascular health and reducing your risk of obesity.
+ Consider telecommuting if you live far from your work. Or move closer. Even if this means paying more rent, it could save you money in the long term.
+ Lobby your local government to increase spending on sidewalks and bike lanes. With little cost, these improvements can pay huge dividends in bettering your health and reducing traffic.
FOUR - Eat smart
+ If you eat meat, add one meatless meal a week. Meat costs a lot at the store-and it's even more expensive when you consider the related environmental and health costs.
+ Buy locally raised, humane, and organic meat, eggs, and dairy whenever you can. Purchasing from local farmers keeps money in the local economy.
+ Watch videos about why local food and sustainable seafood are so great.
+ Whatever your diet, eat low on the food chain. This is especially true for seafood.
FIVE - Skip the bottled water
+ Use a water filter to purify tap water instead of buying bottled water. Not only is bottled water expensive, but it generates large amounts of container waste.
+ Bring a reusable water bottle, preferably aluminum rather than plastic, with you when traveling or at work.
+ Check out this short article for the latest on bottled water trends.
SIX - Think before you buy
+ Go online to find new or gently used secondhand products. Whether you've just moved or are looking to redecorate, consider a service like craigslist or FreeSharing to track down furniture, appliances, and other items cheaply or for free.
+ Check out garage sales, thrift stores, and consignment shops for clothing and other everyday items.
+ When making purchases, make sure you know what's "Good Stuff" and what isn't.
+ Watch a video about what happens when you buy things. Your purchases have a real impact, for better or worse.
SEVEN - Borrow instead of buying
+ Borrow from libraries instead of buying personal books and movies. This saves money, not to mention the ink and paper that goes into printing new books.
+ Share power tools and other appliances. Get to know your neighbors while cutting down on the number of things cluttering your closet or garage.
EIGHT - Buy smart
+ Buy in bulk. Purchasing food from bulk bins can save money and packaging.
+ Wear clothes that don't need to be dry-cleaned. This saves money and cuts down on toxic chemical use.
+ Invest in high-quality, long-lasting products. You might pay more now, but you'll be happy when you don't have to replace items as frequently (and this means less waste!).
NINE - Keep electronics out of the trash
+ Keep your cell phones, computers, and other electronics as long as possible.
+Donate or recycle them responsibly when the time comes. E-waste contains mercury and other toxics and is a growing environmental problem.
+ Recycle your cell phone.
+ Ask your local government to set up an electronics recycling and hazardous waste collection event.
TEN - Make your own cleaning supplies
+ The big secret: you can make very effective, non-toxic cleaning products whenever you need them. All you need are a few simple ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, lemon, and soap.
+ Making your own cleaning products saves money, time, and packaging-not to mention your indoor air quality.
ELVEN - Bonus Item!
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