1) Bring your own shopping bags. Plastic bags contribute to pollution, harm wildlife, and are not biodegradable. Shoppers worldwide are using 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags per year. This translates to about 150 bags a year for every person on earth. Consider reusing paper bags or purchasing reusable bags. Two large canvas bags cost about $30 and should last about 10 years. http://www.treehugger.com
2) Use your dishwasher to conserve water. Using a fully-loaded dishwasher, without pre-rinsing, uses on average 35% less water than hand-washing all of those dishes. Choose a dishwasher that is the appropriate size for your needs and wait until it is full before running it. Try to find natural, biodegradable dishwashing liquid and skip the pre-rinse cycle. http://www.treehugger.com
3) Ditch the Paper Towels. Use micro-fiber cloth towels instead of paper towels for cleaning around the home. The tiny fibers in the cloth towels grip and hold on to dirt and bacteria, and they are machine-washable so you can use them over and over again. Microfiber towels are available for under $10. Also, try using cloth napkins or bandanas when entertaining rather than paper napkins. http://ecologue.com
4) Recycle your Socks. Because of the polyester content, socks take many years to break down when discarded. Here are some uses for old socks: cleaning rags, whiteboard erasers, tree stakes, shoe protectors when storing or traveling, put a pair over shoes to protect them when painting, dog toys, fill with sand or rice and sew the end to make a door snake to block drafts. Find more tips at http://www.greenlivingtips.com/articles/121/1/Recycling-socks.html
5) Clear the Air: Leave your shoes at the door. This cuts down on dust-bound pollutants. Help remove other pollutants from your indoor air with house plants. Many indoor plants absorb air pollutants through their leaves and roots and convert it to breathable air. Some good plant choices include: Gerbera Daisy, Chrysanthemum and Peace Lily. http://instoresnow.walmart.com/sustainability2-article_ektid47138.aspx
6) Use Energy-Efficient Cooking Practices. Using the microwave instead of the oven can reduce cooking energy by as much as 80%. When cooking on the stove try to match the size of the pot to the size of the burner. On an electric stove, using a 6 inch pot on an 8 inch burner wastes more than 40% of the burner’s heat. Using a pressure cooker can reduce cooking time by 70%. http://www.treehugger.com
7) Energy-Efficient Cooking- Part 2. Most newer ovens come up to temperature quickly enough you can skip preheating. For dishes that are flexible on cooking time you can turn the oven off a few minutes early and let the dishes finish the cooking using residual heat. Use close-fitting lids on your pots and pans to trap heat whenever possible- especially when bringing boiled water up to temperature. http://www.treehugger.com
8) Consider your Clothing. 10% of all agricultural chemicals and 25% of insecticides in the U.S. are used to grow cotton. It takes almost 1/3 of a pound of chemicals (pesticides and fertilizers) to grow enough cotton for just ONE T-shirt. Look for clothes made with organic cotton which is grown without harmful chemicals. http://ecologue.com/
9) Benefits of Bamboo. When possible choose bamboo products. Bamboo is one of the greenest materials around. It is not a tree but rather a fast-growing grass. The bamboo family of grasses range in size and color and can be used in numerous ways. Most bamboo is grown in China and very little pesticides are used. Since it is so fast growing, it is much easier to maintain healthy bamboo forests. http://ecologue.com/
10) Fuel Economy. Keeping up on your car’s maintenance, things like regular oil changes, air-filter changes, and spark plug replacements can increase your MPG up to 25%. The EPA estimates that average fuel economy for passenger cars in 2006 was 21 mpg. Switching from an average car to a 13 mpg SUV would use as much energy as leaving your refrigerator door open for six years. http://www.treehugger.com
11) Test your tires. Your car will get better gas mileage if your tires are properly inflated. Remember to check your tire pressure every-other time you fill your tank. If everyone in the US properly inflated their tires, we could save approximately 2 Billion gallons of gas each year. Carrying around extra weight in the form of junk in your trunk can also decrease your gas mileage. http://913thesummit.com/
12) Select Soy Candles. Traditional candles are paraffin-based which is made from non-renewable petroleum and releases soot into the air when burned. Soy candles are the greener choice- they are made from renewable materials, cleaner, and burn longer. http://ecologue.com Locally you can find Soy Candles at Copper-Moon Tan & Candles. You can even get a 10% discount with your Co-Op Connections Card.
13) A natural way to unclog your drain. Instead of pouring harsh chemicals down your drain to clear a clog try this natural solution:
14) Green your bling. Find out the origin of diamond jewelry. It is estimated that between 3 and 15% of rough diamond trade is from conflict, or “blood”, diamonds from war torn nations such as the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mining gems is very harmful for the environment. Consider purchasing lab created or repurposed gem stones set in recycled metals. Buy vintage jewelry or try taking used jewelry apart and making your own designs. http://planetgreen.discovery.com
15) Don’t be in the dark- Use low watt motion sensor lights in bathrooms and hallways so lights do not have to be turned on. This motion activated night light is available for $16.99 at www.espenergy.com
16) Stop junk mail. Junk mail contributes the carbon equivalent of 9 million cars or heating 13 million homes for the winter. The average adult receives 41 pounds of junk mail each year. What can you do about it? 1) Mark it return to sender, send it back. 2) Sign up with a free service, such as GreenDimes or 41Pounds.org, to help you reduce your junk mail. 3) Stop junk mail before it starts by not signing up for sweepstakes or store reward cards and being leery of product warranty cards that do not require a proof of purchase. For more information visit: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/08/stop-junk-mail-7-ways-reduce-opt-out.php
17) Buy in bulk: Cut down on packaging and transportation costs. Purchase large quantities of frequently used products: shampoo, laundry, soap, pet foods, cat litter, etc. When possible purchase concentrated products. A family of four can save $2,000 a year in the supermarket by choosing large sizes instead of individual serving sizes. Remember, 10 cents of every shopping dollar is used to pay for packaging. http://instoresnow.walmart.com/sustainability2-article_ektid47004.aspx
18) Crafty Recycling: Look around your house and you will be surprised what you might find. For example the metal binding off several old spiral notebooks can be formed into a decorative bowl. Old towels can be cut up and woven into bathroom rugs. Sticks from your yard can be woven into placemats. Before you throw something out try to think about what it could become. http://ecologue.com
19) New Idea in Carpeting: If you are replacing your carpet, consider modular carpet tiles. Several eco-friendly companies, like FLOR and Shaw Carpet, offer stylish carpet squares that use non-toxic dyes and are made from recycled materials. When you're done with them, you can ship them back to the manufacturer to recycle. Plus, the squares involve little labor; they are easy to lay down by yourself, and don't need support from toxic padding. www.flor.com
20) Green your refrigerator. Position the refrigerator away from heat sources such as a stove, dishwasher, or window. Leave space between the condenser coils and the wall or cabinet to allow air to circulate. Make sure the door seals are airtight. Think about what you want from the refrigerator before you open the door. When it is time to get a new fridge, consider recycling your old one. www.energystar.gov