Easy Tips for "Going Green" at Home!

Being eco-wise is about celebrating the Earth by being good stewards of the land, sea, and air; and teaching those values to our children.

As you start to learn about this lifestyle, you can quickly become overwhelmed with the process of all the areas which need to be changed.  Thinking of these changes in terms of small goals will help make your adjustments much less of a shock.    Change is hard, so making small changes as you go, and educating yourself to "why", will help you stay focused on your goal of sustainability.  "Small steps breeds success"

Soon you'll find that you're saving money and taking active steps towards sustainability.   

Here are some small, easy, green-choices we can make in our homes. Choose three that you’re not already doing, and try to make them a habit this year. 

1.  Plant a small backyard garden.  *It’s good to remember where our food comes from, and it doesn’t have to be complicated.

2.  Switch your lightbulbs to energy efficient ones.

3.  Make a compost bin.

4.  When it’s time, replace appliances to energy efficient models.

5.  Stop using disposable bags, and replace with reusable ones.

6.  Stop buying plastic disposable bottles, and invest in a reuasable water bottle.

7.  Wash laundry in cold water instead of hot.  

8.  Turn off lights when you leave the room.

9.  Don’t turn on lights during daylight hours.  Instead, open your curtains and use natural light.

10.  Drive the speed limit, and combine as many errands as you can in one trip.

11.  Try to walk or ride a bike for errands two miles or closer where possible.

12.  Support your local economy and shop local!  Checkout your local farmer's markets and farms!

13.  Find or start a 'food swap' group in your area.  Share food and eliminate food waste.  Connect with neighbors and utilize the most out of your collective gardens.  *This gives you an excellent opportunity to make sure your neighbors are food secure, and provide any volunteer work that might be needed for your community. 

14.  Research local renewable energy from your utility company.

15.  Pay your bills online. Not only is it green, it’s convenient!

16.  Put a stop to unsolicited mail—sign up to opt out of pre-screened credit card offers.  While you’re at it, you can, go ahead and make sure you're on the "do-not-call-list" too!

17.  Reuse scrap paper for notes or art. 

18.  Conduct your own home energy audit to see where you can best make changes.

19.  Before buying anything new, first check your local Craigslist, or Community Groups for great deals.

20.  Support local restaurants that use food derived less than 100 miles away.   

21.  Fix leaky faucets.  Below are some water consumption stats.  **Costs will vary based upon your city and location.

22.  Make your own household cleaners.

23.  Line dry your laundry, weather permitting.  

24.  Lower the temperature on your water heater.  **The best temperature for your water heater is 120 Fahrenheit.  This temp. is comfortable and sanitary, and does not significantly increase energy costs

25.  Unplug unused chargers and appliances.

26.  Collect your rainwater, and use it to water your houseplants and garden.

27.  Switch to cloth diapers.

28.  Switch to Fair-Trade Coffee.

29.  Switch cloth towels out for paper towels.  Repurpose old towels and t-shirts and cut them into small cleaning cloths.

30.  Use cloth napkins instead of paper.

31.  Repurpose glass jars for storage.

32.  Donate old items to thrift shops.  Shop at thrift shops. You’ll be recycling perfectly usable items, you’ll be supporting your local economy, and you’ll be saving money.

If you have some tips you'd like to share...write to me!  I would love to hear from you! 

Click here to contact me direct.

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