Many people just want to know what they can do to live green. And when it comes down to it, what people do every day is what makes a cumulative difference. Here are fifteen easy-to-implement tips on green living for every day.
1. When you wash dishes, don't leave the water running while you scrub the dishes. Put dirty dishes into a sink or dishpan full of soapy water, s crub them, then dip them into a sink or tub of rinse water. If you are concerned about germs, boil a couple of cups of water in the microwave and pour the hot water over the rinsed dishes to sterilize them (the hot dishes will dry faster too).
2. Don't flush the toilet after every visit. Liquid waste does not have to be flushed away each time. Every flush uses about 1.6 gallons of water. So each time you refrain from flushing, you're saving 1.6 gallons. That can add up over the course of the month.
3. Turn lights off when you leave a room.
4. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) instead of incandescent bulbs. These really do cut down on your energy use. Don't forget outdoor lighting. Use energy-efficient floodlights if you have them, and use solar lights for your steps and driveway.
5. Eat local food whenever you can. Local food means the food travels fewer miles to get to your plate or store. Fewer miles mean fewer emissions and less fossil fuel.
6. Organic food is preferable to conventionally-grown food. Organic food is grown in a sustainable manner, making it a much greener choice.
7. Support local businesses. Once again, imported items use a lot of fuel. Try to buy whatever you can from local producers, craftspeople, and so forth.
8. Streamline your recycling. Most of us recycle, but you may not be recycling everything you could be. Effective recycling goes beyond just glass, plastic, paper and metal. For example, don't toss out old electronics. See if they can be donated, refurbished, or recycled. Old appliances can be donated to a second-hand store.
9. Use rechargeable batteries instead of disposable ones.
10. Augment your household heat with space heaters and other energy-efficient heating.
11. Install a programmable thermostat. It is much more precise regarding temperature setting, and you don't have to worry about forgetting to turn the heating down when you leave the house or go to bed.
12. Install curtains and blinds that you can open to let the sunshine in on cold, sunny days. Then close them at night to keep cold air out.
13. Insulate your home and use weather stripping on your doors and windows.
14. Carpool or take public transport to work or school whenever you can. You can even carpool with your neighbors or family for errand running.
15. Use fans and open windows instead of air conditioning.