Going Green Tips
Living green is a way that some people have found to help save planet Earth from a fast approaching disaster. Being eco-friendly is a way of life that many people have chosen to live because it helps slow down the process of destroying the earth. It means buying "green products" that are environmentally friendly, along with other endeavors that will help save our environment.
RegreenEarth provide some green tips to make our green Earth more greener.
Give Up Plastic (and Paper) Bags:
Do you opt for paper or plastic when at the grocery store? Neither is a good choice. Twelve million barrels of oil were used to make the 88.5 billion plastic bags and it takes four times more energy to make paper bags.
The best choice is reusable shopping bags made of cotton, nylon or durable, mesh-like plastic. Put a few reusable shopping bags in your car so you have them handy on your next shopping trip.
Stop Buying Bottled Water
Did you know that it takes 26 bottles of water to produce the plastic container for a one liter bottle of water, and that doing so pollutes 25 liters of groundwater?
Stop buying bottled water. Use reusable water bottles instead made from materials like stainless steel or aluminum that are not likely to degrade over time.
Give Up Hot Water (At Least In the Clothes Washer)
About 90 percent of the energy is used to heat the water, and most clothes will come clean in cold water. So switch your washing machine's temperature setting. For heavily soiled clothing, change it from hot to warm, but otherwise try to wash and rinse most of your clothing in cold water.
Give Up the Clothes Dryer
The second biggest household energy user, after the refrigerator, is the clothes dryer. Over drying your clothes can end up costing you money as well. Hanging clothing outside in the sun and air to dry is the most energy-efficient method.
Check for Leaks in Your Toilet
A leaking toilet can waste anywhere between 30 and 500 gallons of water every day, so any leak should be repaired.
Go Public
Use public transportation, such as subways, buses, and light-rail networks where it's available.
Use Less Paper
Stop your junk mail! Who needs it? Unless you collect car-insurance offers and pre-approved credit cards, get your family's names off of junk-mail lists.
Run a Fully Loaded Dishwasher
If you have dishwasher, use it. Running a fully loaded dishwasher can use a third less water than washing the dishes by hand, saving up to 10 to 20 gallons of water a day.
Create An Eco-Friendly Shopping List
You're going to buy them anyway, so make sure the green option is on your list.
Lower the Temp in Your Fridge
Gets your fridge running in tip-top shape. First, set the refrigerator thermostat to maintain a temperature between 38 and 42 degrees (F). This temperature will protect your food from spoiling while saving electricity. Twice a year, clean the condenser coil at the back of your fridge. Condenser coils tend to get dusty, making them less efficient.
Give the Gift of Green
Plant a tree for a friend to offset carbon emissions. Be Green also offers the Gift of Green.
Raise Your Lighting Average
There are probably 30 light fixtures in your house. If you've installed CFLs in three of them, then you're 10 percent of the way toward total eco-friendly lighting.
Pull The Plug
Plugged-in appliances use energy even when they're not on. Simply unplugging your cell phone, iPod, Xbox 360, etc. can save more than 1,000 lbs. of carbon dioxide.
Eat Organic
Eat local, fresh, and organic. By eating local and organic foods, you can often reduce the emissions associated with transporting foods as well as the chemicals involved in producing the food in the first place.