In honor of Earth Day (April 22, 2013 but widely celebrated this coming weekend), here are 50 tips you can implement in your own home without having to make major adjustments to your lifestyle. And many times, going green will save you green too!
- Phantom electricity. This is not from an episode of Scooby Doo. It's the electricity used when all your appliances are plugged in but not actually turned on. Unplug any appliances that are only rarely used and your electric bill will show the difference!
- Kitchen towels. I use so many fewer paper towels now that I bought kitchen towels. It's amazing how much money I've saved and how few rolls I buy.
- Shower time. I'm not going to tell you not to bathe or to shut off the water when soaping up — that's not very realistic for most and I've tried it — you get cold pretty fast. So to help conserve water and energy, install a low-flow shower head. We were initially worried we would lose water pressure or take away our soothing alone time experience BUT we bought them. My husband installed them and they're fantastic. My pressure is just as good and I bought ones that you can bring the water down to a smaller amount so you don't get cold AND you can use less water when soaping up. It’s highly efficient, very affordable, and good for Mother Earth.
- No-VOC or low-VOC Paint. Painting is a quick and easy way to redecorate. When you start selecting colors, try to find low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) or no-VOC paint. Avoid most latex and oil-based paints to eliminate toxins released into the air. For the past few years, we have have only used NO VOC paint. It's great because we can paint, there's no smell, and the kids didn't have to spend the night out because of bad fumes. It's a win-win. It is more costly but it was worth it. Toxins are not only released when it's wet but your walls will continuously emit toxins if you don't use no- or low-VOC paint.
- Water pitcher. Next to my kitchen sink is a pitcher. Instead of wasting water (water my kids didn't drink or extra water I have in my measuring cup or pot that I didn't use), I put it in my pitcher and when it's full, I use it to water my plants.
- Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or soaping up your hands. It's just wasting water and after a while I promise you, you will do it automatically.
- Take your shoes off at the front door. Not tracking in dirt and debris will reduce indoor toxins and helps to keep your floors clean (bonus!).
- Make your own ice pops. My kids love ice pops so I use my own juice (orange, lemonade, and pomegranate). This way I know what's in the ice pops they're eating and it's reusable (no extra packaging from store-bought and no sticks to throw out).
- Turn off the darn lights. Seriously, why have lights on during the day?
- Keep heating/air conditioning contained to the spaces you use every day. If you have guest or storage rooms, close off the vents to help reduce costs and increase efficiency.
- If you have a choice between using sprinklers or a kiddie pool, go for the kiddie pool. You use less water and when the kids are done, you can water your plants/grass/garden. But if you do have an "assigned" day to water and the sprinklers are running, send the kids out in their suits! Two birds, one stone.
- Instead of recycling items, try to reuse them. My husband stores all his loose nails in the garage in coffee cans. Empty toilet paper rolls and cereal boxes are great for crafting. Clean butter tubs are just right for storing all kinds of items, from paper clips to hair ribbons.
- Programmable thermostat ... enough said.
- Reuse packaging. If you don't reuse packing peanuts, bubble wrap, or the boxes your packages come in then take them to a packaging store. They will be thrilled to re-use these supplies!
- Recycle hangers. Bring your extra hangers to a dry cleaner. I've never had a dry cleaner turn me down. Better yet, save them to use at a consignment sale ... your outgrown items become new to someone else and you earn money!
- Recycle home materials. When renovating your home, instead of throwing out your existing materials, donate them to Habitat for Humanity ReStore resale outlets. You save space in the landfill, collect a charitable tax credit for the donation, and help a good cause.
- Buy earth-friendly cloths. I bought Skoy cloths and LOVE THEM. I use them instead of sponges in the kitchen. They are eco-friendly, easy to use, and VERY easy to clean. I just throw them in the washing machine and they are built to last. I'm still using them over a year later and they look new.
- Donate or sell. Have stuff you no longer use/need/want? Ebay, Craigslist, consignment sale, or donate it. No need to throw it out when someone else can enjoy it.
- Buy a battery tester. When you have a component that's not working and there are multiple batteries, how do you know which one is bad? Use a battery tester! This way you don't get rid of perfectly good batteries. Batteries are NOT safe for landfills ... you can recycle them at a variety of stores, include Best Buy, Home Depot, and Whole Foods.
- Recycle items for art supplies. Donate empty paper towel rolls, toilet paper rolls, shoe boxes, and the like to schools or to the Children's Museum of Denver for projects. My preschool LOVED me as I supplied them with these much needed items which they reuse to make crafts. Ask your child's teacher; most of them are thrilled to take supplies and you keep it out of the landfill.
- Pay bills online. Pay bills online and you can get your bills electronically rather than wasting paper. Plus you save money on envelopes and stamps.
- Use a SMART controller. A SMART controller automatically adjusts your sprinkler system run time and/or schedule to react to changing weather conditions. No need to run the sprinklers during a rainstorm, right?
- Recycle vases from florists. My husband loves to buy me flowers but I already have a ton of vases. So when I have extra (the ones I get with the flowers) I take them back to the florist. Cleans out my closet of vases I don't use anyway and they LOVE to get them back and use again.
- Cleaning supplies. Use green, non-toxic cleaning supplies. They're not only good for you, but can also save you money. Go one step greener and make your own.
- Print on both sides of the paper. I keep a stack of already used paper by my printer and when I need to print something just for me, I slip in the old sheet and print on the blank side.
- Air dry your clothes when possible. I have a line hanging in my basement. It uses less energy and I stopped shrinking my husband's clothes. You can always toss your clothes into the dryer for a few minutes to "fluff" them.
- Buy local. Reduce your carbon footprint! Buy your fruits and veggies from local growers when possible. Less chemicals because the food doesn't have to travel and it's even getting easier to do in late spring and summer with all the Farmers' Markets going on.
- Reusable lunch bags. I'm always shocked to see brown paper bags used as snack/lunch bags. There are a ton of reusable, cute, BPA-free, ECONOMICAL snack/lunch bags.
- Cold water wash. Wash your clothes in cold water. Your clothes will be just as clean when washed in cold water.
- Local library. Borrow from your local library instead of buying new books and movies.
- Use fewer products. I'm a girl so I get it. But do we really need ten products to start our day? Simplify your life, save some money, and reduce the total number of products you use daily. I've gotten my make-up down to eye liner, mascara, tinted mosturizer, and blush. If it's a special day I'll add eye shadow. Less products = less chemicals. And I make sure the products I do use are as non-toxic as possible.
- Make your own wrapping paper. Wrap presents with the comics section of the Sunday newspaper (I grew up using this to cover textbooks) or children's artwork (my girls LOVE this because it makes the gift more special). Or you can use a cloth item such as a scarf, attractive dish towel, or bandana so even the wrapping can be part of the gift.
- Go solar: I know, it's a big step but a great one if you plan to be in your home for a long time. We went solar and we LOVE it.
- Turn outside lights off. If you like having lights on at night, put them on a timer or install motion-detecting lights.
- Recycle holiday/birthday cards. Take this year's holiday/birthday cards and recycle them into gift tags. Use the front picture of the card, write a message on the blank side, and attach it to the gift with string.
- Choose less packaging. Given a choice between two products, always choose the one with less packaging.
- Reuse bottle caps. Yes, really. You can reuse a plastic bottle cap to seal bags.
- Make your own laundry detergent. Click HERE for a recipe on how to save money and the Earth by making your own detergent.
- Turn the heat off your dishwasher. Let your dishes air dry instead. You can open the door a little to speed up the drying process.
- Buy clothes you can wash and not dry clean. It's frightening how many chemicals and toxins are used in dry cleaning your clothes. Now, before I buy clothes I check if I can wash them at home. Saves me a ton of money and it's just plain easier.
- Meatless Mondays. You can reduce your carbon footprint AND save money by serving one meatless meal a week. Do it more than once a week ... BONUS!
- Recycle old sneakers: You can take all your old sneakers to the Nike store (I take mine to the one at the Outlets at Castle Rock). They recycle the bottoms for use in track surfaces, interlocking tiles, and even playgrounds.
- Pick a cone over a cup: I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! This one is my favorite green tip. When buying ice cream at the ice cream store, pick the cone. You eat it so there's nothing to throw away.
- Reusable utensils. My daughter needs a fork or spoon sometimes in her lunch bag but I hate plastic. It's terrible for the environment, a big waste of money, and usually not sturdy. I send her in with reusable utensils. They make great bamboo ones and I found a stainless steel set I love. Just make sure you tell the kids not to throw them out and bring them home instead.
- Clean your driveway with a broom. Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway/sidewalk. You'll save money on your water bill and it's good exercise too.
- Recyclebank.com. I joined this free website and I get lots of green information. You can earn points and get rewards too.
- Pull weeds. Many people use pesticides to kill weeds but that can pollute our planet. The best and cheapest solution is to pull them yourself. It's easier after a rainstorm as the roots are easier to pull from the wet soil.
- Hide Your Paper Towels. Move them somewhere less accessible. If they are not readily available, you'll use less.
- Walk to/from school or carpool. You'll either get exercise or get a break from going to/from school every day.
- Celebrate Earth Day. If nothing else, do just one thing on April 22 that's good for the environment
