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40 Ways You Can Save the Environment
By Todd | September 26, 2007
The purpose of this article is to provide 40 simple ways you can conserve energy and reduce toxicity in your home and office. By implementing these practices you will be “doing your part” to save the environment.
At the end of the list, I have provided 13 GREAT websites that you can visit to buy products and get more information about making your life more “green”. Your actions DO make a difference:
1. Turn off unneeded lights even when leaving a room for a short time
2. Once your cell phone is charged, unplug it from the charger!
3. Set your refrigerator temperature at 36 to 38 and your freezer at 0 to 5
4. When using an oven, minimize door opening while it is in use; it reduces oven temperature by 25 to 30 every time you open the door
5. Unplug seldom used appliances
6. Purchase appliances and office equipment with the Energy Star Label; old refrigerators, for example, use significant more energy than newer models
7. Turn down or shut off your water heater when you will be away for extended periods
8. Use electric appliances only when you need them
9. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs to save money and energy.
10. Shut off electrical equipment in the evening when you leave work
11. Replace old windows with energy efficient ones
12. Use cold water instead of warm or hot water when possible
13. Buy green electricity - electricity produced by low - or even zero-pollution facilities
14. Eliminate mercury from your home by purchasing items without mercury, and dispose of items containing mercury at an appropriate drop-off facility when necessary (e.g. old thermometers)
15. Learn about alternatives to household cleaning items that do not use hazardous chemicals
16. Review labels of household cleaners you use. Consider alternatives like baking soda, scouring pads, water
17. Use traps instead of rat and mouse poisons and insect killers
18. Have your home tested for radon
19. Minimize pesticide use
20. Turn off computers and other appliances when not in use
21. Copy and print on both sides of paper
22. Reuse items like envelopes, folders and paper clips
23. Use e-mail instead of paper correspondence
24. Use recycled paper
25. Use discarded paper for scrap paper
26. Encourage your school and/or company to print documents with soy-based inks, which are less toxic
27. Telecommute!
28. Purchase radial tires and keep them properly inflated for your vehicle
29. Walk or ride your bike instead of driving, whenever possible
30. Join a carpool to get to work
31. Check and fix any water leaks
32. Install water-saving devices on your faucets and toilets
33. Don’t wash dishes with the water running continuously
34. Install a low-flow shower head
35. Replace old toilets with new ones that use a lot less water
36. Avoid products with several layers of packaging when only one is sufficient (about 33 of what we throw away is packaging)
37. Use reusable plates and utensils instead of disposable ones
38. Use reusable containers to store food instead of aluminum foil and wrap
39. Shop with a canvas bag instead of using paper and plastic bags
40. Buy rechargeable batteries for devices used frequently
Visit these fantastic websites for more information about what you can do to save the environment:
Fixing the Planet– Site for everything “green”
Alliance for Climate Protection– engaged in an unprecedented public education campaign on both the urgency and the solvability of the climate crisis
Gaiam– lifestyle company which sells wide variety of “green” products
Organic and Natural Experiences– travels the country educating the nation about the benefits of incorporating organic, natural, and eco-friendly products into your lifestyle, as well as introducing you to the leading cause companies in these segments
The Green Guide– consumers’ go-to source for eco-product reviews, environmental health information, and green living advice
Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability– a market segment focused on health and fitness, the environment, personal development, sustainable living, and social justice
World Changing– Great all-encompassing blog with information about the global sustainability movement
Environmental Health News– A clearinghouse of recent scientific studies health to environmental factors
Safer Products– helps you identify healthier products for your home
Environmental Working Group– provides up-to-date information on toxins and how best to avoid them
Less Lawn– tips and advise on growing low-maintenance lawns and creating sustainable landscapes
Seventh Generation– leading brand of non-toxic household products designed for people who want environmentally friendly cleaning products and chlorine
Local Cooling– fight global warming from your desktop! Cool application
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Topics: Productivity, Environment/Sustainability, Alternative and Holistic Healing, Health |
Number 9 and 14 are contradictory as the compact bulbs contain a small amount of mercury and need to be disposed of properly as such.
Posted by: asrai on September 26th, 2007 at 4:24 pmVERY good point Asrai; mercury in CFL’s is a concern. Some manufacturers such as Philips and GE make very low-mercury content CFLs. In 2007, Philips claimed its Master TL-D Alto range to have the lowest mercury content of any CFL on the market, at 2mg…so look out for high quality products!
Posted by: Todd on September 26th, 2007 at 5:02 pmWhat? No mention of the absolute best way to benefit the environment? Reducing or eliminating animal products from your diet, of course. The production of animals for our use causes tremendous damage to the environment, contributes more to global warming than the CO2 from automobiles, wastes precious resources, and on and on.
Of course there’s always the added benefits of improving your health and reducing the suffering of animals.
Posted by: Christine on September 26th, 2007 at 9:16 pmGREAT points Christine, thanks!
Posted by: Todd on September 27th, 2007 at 9:03 am[…] – The benefits of buying and consuming organic and locally grown foods – Why seeing holistic doctor, chiropractor or acupuncturist is beneficial – Why you should buy (and use) compact fluorescent light bulbs […]
Posted by: Why Starting a Blog Takes a LOT of Courage on October 12th, 2007 at 9:01 amnice points u guys
Posted by: peanut on November 22nd, 2007 at 12:54 pmThanks for sharing peanut, good to hear from you1
Posted by: Todd on November 23rd, 2007 at 5:36 pmthese are great helpful tips
Posted by: bob glivin on January 5th, 2008 at 9:58 amThanks Bob!!
Posted by: Todd on January 5th, 2008 at 1:31 pmTodd
THANKS FOR THE AWARNESS U HAVE CREATED.IT’S THE BEST WEBSITE.IT SHOULD BE TAKEN AS A SERIOUS ISSUE.THIS 40 WAYS WILL BE PUT ON OUR SCHOOL CLIPBOARD
Posted by: SHIRLEY on February 9th, 2008 at 7:01 amThanks so much Shirley….that is GREAT that this article was so impactful that you will use it for your school. This is the very point of the article (and the whole site for that matter: spreading awareness!
Great stuff, and thank you…
Posted by: Todd on February 10th, 2008 at 3:17 pmTodd