10 Eco Friendly Tips You Can’t Afford to Miss While Saving the Environment
Here are 10 Eco Friendly Tips you can’t afford to miss while saving the environment. However, we couldn’t stop adding to the list. It is your interest you can help save environment. Remember these tips are going to make you feel better about your life. No doubt you have heard them before, but give a serious thought to it. Living green affects your whole psyche. You’ll save money with some of these green tips, and your family’s physical and emotional health will also improve. When you apply these easy eco-friendly tips, you’ll see the psychologcial benefits of living green.
1. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Compost
Reusing packaging material saves more energy than recycling. By avoiding extra packaging, you are helping saving both energy and landfill space. Yard and kitchen waste (leaves/grass/vegetable scraps) are 30% of trash. Also be sure to re-use plastic bags, or better yet… refuse plastic bags when you really don’t need them.
2. Wash dishes by hand in a basin, and then use the dish water for outdoor gardens.
3. Don’t use pesticides/herbicides on your lawn
Along with nitrogen fertilizer runoff, these are major water pollutants.
4. Keep your cat indoors
Did you know domestic cats kill over one billion small birds and animals every year? (1 outdoor cat averages 40 kills per year). They upset natural predator/prey balances and eliminate ground nesting birds.
5. Plant a tree with a child
Take a walk in the woods, or plant trees which store CO2. Teaching our children the true value to love and care for the planet is the most important thing we can do to insure the future of humankind.
6. Lower your thermostat in the winter. Raise it in the summer
Wearing a sweater in the winter and short sleeves in the summer saves energy and reduces pollution. Buy all employees a “green team” sweatshirt that they can leave in their offices or cubicles to wear when feeling cold.
7. Dispose of old paint, chemicals, and oil properly
Don’t put batteries, antifreeze, paint, motor oil, or chemicals in the trash. Use proper toxics disposal sites. Never buy more than you need.
8. Consider the environmental costs of major decisions and purchases.
When relocating or changing jobs try to live close to work. Compare efficiency when purchasing new cars or appliances. Buy fewer things. Choose products with lower energy inputs.
9. Conserve water
Never water your lawn at midday. Don’t let faucets run. Take low flow short showers. Run the dishwasher only when it is full. Let grass grow longer. Plant native or drought-tolerant garden plants.
10. Bike, use public transit, carpool to work, drive slower, keep your tires inflated
One-third of all traffic is commuters. Use alternative transportation when possible. When you are driving, go slower with proper tire inflation. It saves both fuel and tires, and lowers emissions. It also saves lives.