In honor of Earth Day, I thought I’d give you some of my favorite green tips.
Germans love recycling and are generally very environmentally-conscious. My husband has recently accused me of becoming more German than the Germans in this regard, but I find that there are so many green things you can do that are easy and also save money, so why not? It’s win-win for everyone.
I know not everyone is ready to switch to a reusable menstrual cup or invest a lot in new technology, but if everyone made one or two simple, little changes, it would make a significant difference in the world. Here are some of my favorite, easy to do, money-saving, eco-friendly tips:
- Switch to Compact Fluorescent Bulbs. This is probably one of the tips people know best. The bulbs are getting much better at starting up quickly and providing warm light as well. Over the life of the CFL, you could save up to $80.
- Switch to Rechargeable Batteries. They’ll save you money in the long run and using rechargeables means less toxic chemicals going in to the environment through the production and disposal of regular batteries.
- Limit Stand-By Mode. If they aren’t going to be used for a while, turn off your electronic devices instead of leaving them in stand-by mode. Get a power strip/surge protector for your portable device rechargers, work area or entertainment center that you can easily switch on and off. When you’re done using the devices, switch off the power strip.
- Dispose of Toxic Products Properly. Take batteries, compact fluorescent bulbs, motor oil, old electronics, paints, and other toxic materials to your local recycling center rather than throwing them in the trash. They can leach toxic chemicals into the groundwater if they are disposed of in landfills.
- Place Appliances Smartly. If you can, try to put your fridge in the coolest spot in your kitchen. Definitely try to avoid having it next to a sunny window. The warmer the surrounding temperature, the harder it needs to work and the more electricity it uses. The same goes if you have an air conditioning unit. If it’s a window unit, try to put it in a north facing window. If you’ve got central air, try to place your unit on the north side of your house, if that’s not possible, plant some bushes or trees strategically to shade your air conditioning unit.
- Use Appliances Smartly. Make sure to not overstuff your refrigerator, there should be room for air flow around products. Wait till you have a full load to run your clothes washer or dishwasher. Wrap an insulated blanket around your water heater.
- Hang Clothes to Dry. I know this takes a little more planning, but once you get in the habit of hanging clothes to dry, it will seem easy. Check the weather reports and try to save your laundry for a warm, sunny day. I can get 4 loads dried on a warm day. I’ve got two drying racks, put out two loads of clothes first thing in the morning, by early-afternoon they are dry and I can put out another two loads that are then dry by evening. Most new washers have a timer setting, you can set it before going to bed so that it finishes when you’re getting up. Hang up a load before heading off to work and it’ll be done when you’re home. Save the dryer for long rainy spells or harder to hang dry items like bedsheets and towels.
- Switch to Environmentally-Friendly Cleaning Products. You don’t actually need two dozen products to clean your home (and you don’t need to buy expensive eco-friendly cleaners either), vinegar is dirt cheap and a very useful multi-purpose cleaner. It’s better for you and anyone else living in your home too. Residue from bleach and other harsh toxic cleansers sticks around to get on the paws and fur of your four legged friends and the hands and feet of your children. Residue on counters can find it’s way into food and be ingested. Check out this article on making a non-toxic cleaning kit.
- Grow Native Plants. If you have a garden, stock it with plants that are native to your area. You will spend less on upkeep because they are perfectly suited to the environment you live in. They’re also better for the local wildlife. Another way it will save you money, your locally stocked garden will likely attract plenty of natural pest control!
- Plant Smartly. Strategically locate deciduous trees in your garden, when possible, so they shade your home from afternoon sun in the summer, but in the winter when they are leafless, the afternoon sun will warm your home. This will save you heating and cooling costs, and make your home more comfortable.
- Grow Your Favorite Foods. Even if you only have a windowsill, you can grow a pot of something you love to eat. It will be fresh, delicious, and you know how it’s been grown. Most everyone knows locally grown foods are best for the environment and it doesn’t get more local than this.
- Go Vegetarian. You don’t have to switch over entirely, but try substituting a vegetarian dish for a meat dish once or twice a week. If you’re vegetarian, try going vegan once a week. For meat eaters who don’t think they can manage without, or folks who think vegetarian cooking is expensive, there are plenty of very delicious, very filling recipes using beans or lentils that are also very cheap to make. Mushroom based dishes can also ease a meat eaters way into vegetarian cuisine.
- Use Recycled Products. The best stuff to use is 100% post consumer recycled content. That means they’re entirely composed of recycled goods that were used by consumers. Recycled products have increased substantially in quality, try out a pack of toilet paper from recycled products. It’s not that bad really, and if you need to, keep a pack of Charmin around for emergencies when you need a softer alternative.
- Give up Disposables. Stop using plastic utensils and paper plates and napkins. Cloth napkins are really nice and it’s not that difficult to throw them in the washer. Choose a color that won’t show stains and you won’t need to replace the napkins often. Clean with washable microfiber cloths instead of paper towels. Use dish towels. If you’re a frequent party-giver, consider buying cheap dish and glassware for using at parties instead of disposable products. We’ve got a big stack of Ikea dishes and saved the silverware we both had in college to use during parties. It’s much nicer for guests too, they don’t need to worry about trying to eat off a paper plate that might collapse under the weight of the food. At the end of the night, just throw it all in the dishwasher and store until your next party. Melamine dishware is also a good alternative for parties, as it’s unbreakable and you can find it in really cute colors and patterns. Addicted to Starbucks? Buy a travel mug and have them fill it instead of using paper cups.
- Filter Naturally. Instead of buying expensive, energy-consuming air filtration systems, use mother nature. Many easy to care for houseplants, like English ivy, rubber plants, and peace lilies, do a very good job at filtering toxins from the air. Check out this list of Best Air-Filtering House Plants According to NASA.
Are you trying to live greener? What are some of your favorite tips?
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
#3: I saved a surprising amount of money when I got a power strip for my Internet router and cordless phone charger. 1W of standby might cost €1 or more a year, so 50W of devices that are only on half the time or less is an easy 25 euro…
Found this nice link about (US) energy costs! http://www.greenlifestyleconsulting.com/2010/04/what-impact-does-1-watt-have.html
.-= Dave´s last blog ..Carving up the Glacier =-.
I’m going to do the Melamine dish thing. Paper plates never work well anyway! Also plan to buy some melamine glasses. Good suggestion!
I used regular diapers for my kids. No dryer back then, so I either hung outside or in the basement.
I’m lucky to live in a town that only has recycling refuse. It means a once a week stop at about a dozen areas at the center, but I feel better about it.
.-= Maribeth´s last blog ..Planting Time =-.
Dude.
I can’t un-read that.
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The one way that I’ve been thinking of to be “green” is to simply minimize buying/consumption of everything to the extent possible. Do you really need it? In many cases, we buy more, use more, travel more, etc. than we need to and we could do it more efficicently and/or get by on less. I am not trying to sound radical and I live a nice life (not depriving myself), but I’ve talked myself out of trips, purchases, etc. This is difficult in a culture of consumerism…..but one truly green thing is to just minimize purchasing in addition to consumption. Everything we touch / buy / wear / etc. has taken energy to produce, ship, etc.
As for the vaginal cup — not a chance!! LOL
Menstrual cup…I don’t know…I guess I would invest the money if it was somewhat cheaper…and for the Peace Lily, it is poisenous tho, for pregnant woman, kids and animals, so that’s not for everyone’s household.
I’m so glad that you did this post! =)
Hi Christina!
Really awesome post. You reminded me that I need to get some house plants and now, because of your post, we’re breathing cleaner, plant filtered air. Thank you!
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