Green Living: Simple Things You Can Do Today

You don't have to be an environmental guru to savelasting/low energy ones.
the earth. Here are some very easy things you can-Don't stand with the refrigerator or freezer open
do right now to help save the earth:while you decide what you want.
Save Water. Water is a precious resource that we all-Unplug unused appliances.
waste every day. Conserve water easily by:Go Green. Going green doesn't have to change you're
-Put a brick in a plastic bag and place it in the back oflife. There are things you can do right now to live in a
you toilet. You'll save up to one gallon of water withmore earth-friendly fashion:
every flush.-Plant a tree. It's a great way to save the earth's
-Fix leaky faucets and pipes right away. In theoxygen.
meantime, save the drips in a pan and use it to-Use homemade or all-natural cleaning products.
water your plants, wash the dog or even cook-Buy recycled products.
supper. After all, it's clean water.-Use both sides of a sheet of paper before
-Only wash full loads of laundry.discarding.
-Install low-flow faucet aerators on all your faucets.-Reuse envelopes and junk mail for writing notes and
They'll save you 50% (or 3-5 gallons of water akeeping lists.
minute), and the flow will seem stronger.Ditch the Disposables. It takes more than 100 years
-Collect rainwater in barrels or tubs and use it tofor a plastic sandwich bag to biodegrade in a landfill.
water your household plants or dry lawn areas. It'llPack sandwiches and snacks in reusable containers,
use a lot less water than the sprinkler.or rinse and reuse the disposable ones. Using
Conserve Electricity. Cut down on wasteful electricalpermanent containers will not only save the
use by:environment, it'll save you time and money.
-Turn off lights and appliances when leaving a room.Here are a few other things to try:
-Turn off your computer monitor before bed. A-Replace plastic utensils, paper plates and Styrofoam
monitor left on all night uses enough electricity tocups with permanent ones.
print 5,300 copies.Recycle mayonnaise jars, margarine tubs and other
-Look for the Energy Star rating when buying newfood containers to store leftovers and other supplies.
appliances.-Use washable cloth kitchen towels instead paper
-Wrap your water heater set your water heater attowels.
130 degrees.Use Rechargeable Batteries.
-Wash clothes in cold water as whenever possible.They may cost a little more, but replacing your
-If possible hang clothes outside to dry once indisposable batteries with rechargeable ones will save
awhile.you 10 to 20 times their original cost in the long run.
-Turn down your heat by 1 degree for every hourWant to prolong the life of your batteries? Use a
you'll be away from home.plug or adapter for radios and other small appliances.
-Replace traditional light bulbs with newer longer