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Going green is easier than you think. Use these simple tips to go green, one day at a time.
Get a Radon Test
Radioactive radon gas is a major threat to indoor air quality. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer behind smoking, and can accumulate in homes. Get a radon test, and if you need to do remediation.
Keep a Pitcher of Water in Your Fridge
Such a simple action as keeping a pitcher of water in your refrigerator has surprising benefits in terms of energy and water savings, as well as your health.
Say No to Paper or Plastic
You don't have to wait till grocery bags are banned. Say no to plastic or paper ones now. Instead, bring your own reusable shopping bags.
Pass on Chilean Sea Bass
It's critically overfished and possibly on the road to extinction. Enjoy alternatives.
Take the Train
Ever explore taking the train as an alternative method of getting where you are going? It is a simple way to reduce your carbon output.
Get Toasted
Toaster ovens use much less energy than conventional ovens, and they have more applications than you may have thought of.
Recycle Your Spent CFLs
CFLs, compact fluorescent lightbulbs, contain a small amount of toxic mercury. They must be properly handled and recycled when broken or done. Sylvania has an easy recycle pak, or take them to a hazardous waste collection facility.
Install a Low-Flow Showerhead
Water conservation is easy with a low-flow showerhead. You'll save water, and still maintain good shower pressure. Water is a precious resource, and much of the world is in drought.
Recycle Your Christmas Tree
Instead of sending your old fresh Christmas tree to a landfill after Christmas, drop it off for recycling into wood chips and compost.
Recycle Your Holiday Waste
Don't forget to recycle your wrapping paper and ribbons after Christmas holidays. Save paper and resources.
Try a Great "Green" Nail Polish
More natural alternatives to conventional nail polish are gorgeous and fun, as well as safer for you and the planet. Try corn-, soy- and water-based nail polishes, and avoid pthalates, formaldeheyde and other toxic chemicals.
Insulate Your Water Heater
Hot water accounts for 13% of a typical utility bill, so improving efficiency goes a long way. By insulating your water heater, you'll see a good boost in energy conservation and savings.
Last-Minute Green Gifts That Give Back
Need a green stocking stuffer or present for someone who's hard to shop for? Why not give a gift membership, donation or sponsorship of manatees or other wildlife?
Fix That Water Leak
Got a leaky faucet, sink, toilet or plumbing? Fix it, and cut down on waste of water, the precious resource.
Reupholster Your Way to Style
Instead of tossing out old and worn furniture, reupholster it to bring new life, and cut down on waste and further resource use.
Put a Cactus in Front of Your Computer
Some research suggests having cacti indoors makes for better health. Some researchers have suggested placing a cactus near a computer, to counter the harmful effects of electromagnetic fields.
Choose LED Holiday Lights
Save energy and money with LED holiday lights. This Christmas, get strands of light emitting diodes instead of incandescent bulbs.
Use Recycled Paper Gift Wrap
Cut down on paper waste and save resources by using recycled paper gift wrap. You can buy wrapping paper made of recycled paper or alternative fibers like hemp, use reusable bags, or decorate old magazine and newspaper from around the house.
Save Gas When You Drive
Because every gallon of gasoline burned produces 19 pounds of carbon dioxide, 25 pounds when you count the energy that went into making and distributing it, every gallon really does make a difference.
Offset Your Carbs
Okay, so you've figured out how to Calculate Your Carbon Footprint. And once you've reduced it as much as possible, you can ease your conscience by purchasing CO2 offsets.
Artificial Christmas Tree? Buy American
Deciding on a real or fake Christmas tree is difficult, especially when it comes to the environment. If you decide on an artificial Christmas tree, choose one made in America, which should have fewer toxins and require less shipping.
Use a Manual Can Opener
Old-fashioned can openers save energy and money, and newer models are ergonomic and easy to use.
Be a Post-Consumer Consumer
By thinking a little about the products you choose, you can promote recycling and make a big difference for the environment.
Tweak Your Settings Before Hitting Print
To save paper and ink, preview your documents before you print, make sure you have the correct number of copies and destination, and use such handy functions as print selection and print manager.
A Fan for All Seasons, Even Winter
Everyone knows ceiling fans are efficient ways to feel cool when its hot, but most new models can also be run in reverse, pushing warm air down from the ceiling to reduce heating needs when it's cold.
Bring Back the Draft Snake
During previous decades, draft snakes were regular accessories in many homes. They're an ultra-simple way to save money and energy.
Dodge the Drafts
Keep your heat inside this winter by finding and plugging up those leaks. Check for window drafts by carefully holding an incense stick up to each frame
Leaf It for Compost
Instead of bagging up all those pretty fall leaves and stacking them out at the curb, turn them into compost, and save energy and landfill space. Yard waste is the second-largest component of our trash stream (behind paper), according to the EPA.
Don't Blow It: Rake Instead
Although leaf blowers may seem cool and convenient, they are extremely polluting, and much less green than simply raking fall leaves the old-fashioned way. This autumn, rake your leaves.
Iron Less, but Stay Wrinkle Free
Follow a few simple steps to cut down on your ironing time, while still keeping clothes and other fabrics looking their best. Typical portable irons draw a whopping 1,000 to 1,800 watts, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Look for the WaterSense Label
The EPA's WaterSense label for fixtures, toilets and so on promotes water conservation because it denotes high water efficiency. Save water, and therefore money.
Say Nyet to Junk Mail
We use 100 million trees and 28 billion gallons of water to produce junk mail for just one year. Get off junk mail lists and save paper.
Avoid Antibacterial Products
Most of the plethora of consumer goods with antibacterial properties available these days are unnecessary, and may even contribute to antibiotic-resistant super germs.
Power Shower
Concerned about saving water? Start your day with a power shower.
Drive 55 (MPH)
On the highway, try not to exceed driving 55 mph, after which your car will burn gas much less efficiently. Your gas mileage and fuel economy will be better if you drive 55 miles per hour.
Hang Some Laundry Out to Dry
Why spend good money on artificial laundry products when you can have naturally fresh clothes and linens kissed by the breezes? And save energy and money.
Fill the Fridge
Help your refrigerator run most efficiently by keeping it full but not overstuffed. That's smart kitchen appliance energy conservation.
Print Both Sides Now
Sometimes, even the most ardent eco-activist can''t rely on digital-only documents and has to use the printer.
Inflate Your Car's Tires (and Your E-go)
It's really simple: Make sure your car tires are inflated to the proper pressure, or you will have decreased fuel economy. Boost that gas mileage.
Put On a Sweater
Save money on your utility bills, and reduce your carbon footprint, by turning down your thermostat during heating season. Put on a sweater instead.
Choose LCD Over CRT
Instead of a traditional cathode ray tube (CRT) computer monitor, get a greener, more eye-friendly liquid crystal display (lcds).
Walk Up Instead of Drive Thru
When you are picking up food, going to the bank or even filling a prescription, park your vehicle and walk inside instead of using the drive-through. It will cut down on unnecessary fuel use as well as carbon emissions.
Steam Instead of Dry Clean
Save money, fuel and chemicals by steaming clean your clothes at home. Steam cleaning is greener than taking your clothes to the dry cleaners.
Vote!
Vote, to make your voice heard on the environment, as well as other important issues, in the upcoming election.
Compost Your Pumpkins
Reduce garbage going to the landfill by composting your pumpkins after Halloween.
Enjoy a Safe, Green Halloween!
Celebrate a safe, green halloween, from recycled costumes to safe candy.
Get a Front-Loading Washing Machine
Front-loading washing machines use a third less energy, water and detergent than top-loading models. So upgrade today, and make sure you get one that is Energy Star certified.
Reuse Resealable Plastic Bags
By now you've probably heard how important it is to reduce the number of plastic bags that we all take home from stores, but it's also a good idea to keep gently used sandwich bags in service.
Use Voice Mail Instead of Answering Machines
Chances are you never thought about it, but opting for voice mail provides several green benefits over traditional answering machines. Voice mail is more energy efficient and produces less e-waste.
Green Mortgage — Found Money
The green mortgage was born in 1979 when President Jimmy Carter signed an executive order directing federally-sponsored secondary market institutions to offer consumers incentives for energy efficient homes.
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