No matter who you are or where you come from each and every one of us can do something more for the environment. In elementary school we were taught the mantra: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Gandhi said, “If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him… We need not wait to see what others do.” So let’s do it!!
Turn off lights that aren’t being used. Try doing a candlelit dinner!
Turn off electronics when not in use or when done for the day. Give that work computer a break!
Keep the air cleaner by carpooling, using public transportation, riding a bike, or even good old-fashioned walking.
Print only if it is really needed, and when you do double side it!
Try to use e-mail for all mail communication. Tired of getting junk mail? Sign up with dmachoice.org to take your address off of direct marketing lists.
Change the margin in your document to .75 from 1.25 inches. This will increase the paper usage by 5%!
Use your gadgets (phone, computer, tablet, etc) for taking notes instead of paper.
Swap your shower head. If the one you currently have fills a one-gallon bucket in less than 20 seconds or drips (wasting up to 90 gallons daily), consider an upgrade. An EPA WaterSense–labeled model could save more than 2,300 gallons annually and conserve enough electricity to power your television for a year!
While you’re at it… Take shorter showers! Shaving just one minute off your typical time will save 2.5 gallons of water. Need help? Try the Water Pebble ($10, uncommongoods.com). Placed in your drain, it records your first shower as a benchmark and then takes a few seconds off each subsequent shower, by flashing green, yellow, and red lights to help you pace yourself.
Be careful about what you put down the drain! For a clogged drain pour equal parts of baking soda, white vinegar, and hot water down the drain. Let it sit for 30 minutes. Viola… clogs begone!!!
Wrap packages in the brown paper bags that you’ve saved. Doll them up with ribbon! Bonus if you use sustainable ribbons (gives your gifts a chic eco look)!
Instead of buying and re-buying bottled water reuse the bottle that you already have!
Want a new wardrobe? Check out local resale shops. Some resale shops only accept very gently worn garments and accessories (usually you can’t even tell they’re been worn). While you’re heading that way take your old dudes there for cash to go towards your new wardrobe!
Keep those plastic containers that you get from the deli to store other leftovers or to tote your lunch!
Use refillable pens, pencils and tape dispensers. According to the Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance, Americans throw out 1.6 billion single-use pens each year…. Yikes!
Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator. Gives you cold water without having to run the faucet. Bonus: put fresh lemons in it for a fun citrusy twist on plain tap water!
This one’s pretty simple. Most neighborhoods have recycling pickup. If yours doesn’t check with local refuge pickup to see what your recycling options are. For recycling guidelines specific to your area, visit earth911.com.
Bring in an old iPod to an Apple store and get 10 percent off a new one. Your out-of-date iPod will be broken down and properly disposed of.
Nike’s Reuse-a-Shoe program (nikereuseashoe.com) accepts old sneakers (any brand) and recycles them into courts for various sports so kids have a place to play.
