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You Can Be Green Too!
Being green doesn't have to completely change your life. It requires that you slow down for a minute and examine your normal habits. You'll find there are lots of ways that you can change your behavior that can make a difference.
Here are just a few ideas:
- Recycle
This should be a no-brainer if you are looking for ways to be greener. Remember, aluminum and paper aren't the only things that can be recycled. Make sure you check with your school/city for what they can and cannot accept. If yours doesn't offer recycling, it takes a bit more effort to haul your stuff to a drop-off center, but you can still recycle.
- BYOB (Bring Your Own Bag)
When you grocery shop, grab a handful of the plastic bags you have at home already. Reusing them is an easy and cost free way to do something, plus they can be balled up to be small so your can bring several with you. When you're all done with your plastic bags, or if you have too many, don't throw them in the trash. Instead, look near the entrance of your local grocery store. Most have receptacles to recycle used plastic bags. If you want to ditch the plastic all together, you can get reusable cloth bags to carry your stuff home.
- Every Last Drop Counts
Water is essential to life, and no matter where you live there are a few simple things you can do to conserve it. The quick and easy way is to shut off the water while you're brushing your teeth, keep your showers short and don't let the water run to long to get "hot". Also run water-using devices like dishwashers and washing machines only when they are full. Speaking of washers, use only cold water to conserve more energy. Other water-saving ideas may take a little time or money, but are easy to do. Placing a solid object, like a brick or a bottle filled with water, in the tank of your toilet reduces the amount of water your toilet uses when flushing and refilling. Dripping faucets and running toilets also waste a lot of water over time. Fixing a dripping faucet or running toilet is much simpler than it sounds, and if you need advice, you can always go to your local hardware store for info.
The Power of the Dark Side
Saving energy can be as easy as turning off a light. Make a conscious effort to turn off lights that you aren't using. You can also bring that philosophy to your computer.
Sleep mode is good for saving energy. Change the setting on your computer to default to sleep mode after a short time interval of inactivity (say 5 minutes). If you computer currently doesn’t automatically go into sleep mode, check your computer's settings to turn it on. If you are leaving your computer for extended periods of time, turn both the CPU and the monitor off.
While you are computing, download one of CEA's energy-saving desktops. Because your monitor uses more energy to display a white pixel that a dark/black one, you can save energy even while you're computer is in use.
A Light-Changing Experience
Replace your incandescent lights with energy-efficient compact florescent light bulbs (CFLs). They use 1/3 of the energy and last up to 10 years! Once again, you'll save money and energy all at once. If you do switch to CFLs, make sure you dispose of them properly. They shouldn't just go into the trash. Check out earth911.org to find out where you can take them. We've also found a really cool & entertaining site where you can educate yourself about CFL & LED lights at UnscrewAmerica.org.
Get Charged Up
You probably have at least a few little electronic gadgets in your life. Whether it is your cell phone, iPod, laptop, digital camera or other portable device, at some point you have to plug it in to recharge the batteries. But did you know that chargers and other equipment left on standby create phantom loads that waste megawatts every year. By unplugging your chargers and powering down anything you're not using that has a little green or red light on it, you'll save money and keep CO2 out of the atmosphere.
Batteries Included
Improperly disposed batteries are terrible for the environment. Use rechargeable instead of one-time-use batteries for heavy use devices to avoid tossing loads of heavy metals which include nickel cadmium, alkaline, mercury, nickel metal hydride and lead acid into a landfill. For devices that don't get a lot of use, it may be best to still use regular batteries, but in both cases, don't trash your batteries when they are all used up. Lots of retailers are now participating in battery recycling programs. Check out Circuit City, Radio Shack, Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Staples, and more all may take your used batteries for recycling. Use the finder to check in your area for places you can drop off your used batteries.
- Park It.
If you use a car on campus, try finding alternative means of getting to where you're going. Riding the bus is a great alternative - so is biking or walking - which are heart healthy too! If you have to drive, share a ride with others whenever possible. Keeping your car in good health and your tires properly inflated will also save you on gas! Another idea is to avoid long drive through lines at the bank and fast food joint. Why not park it and walk up to the counter. Chances are, you’ll get out faster anyway, and avoid having your car idle for 5 or more minutes while wasting your gas and polluting the air.
- Dump the Disposables
It seems that there is a disposable product for just about every aspect of life. While some, like toilet paper, are essential, a lot could be avoided. Cleaning & household products tend to be most are avoidable and wasteful. Sure, they offer convenience, but by cutting back on products like paper towels and napkins, plastic silverware and plates, and disposable dusters and other chemically laden wipes, you will not only be doing your part to save the environment, you'll save a ton of money. Want to save even more - mix your own cleaning products with ingredients like baking soda, soap and vinegar. Click here to get the recipes.
- Get more information on green-living and environmental issues.
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