Are you perplexed by the new green movement? Perhaps you genuinely care about the earth, but you fail to see how using biodegradable laundry detergent will change the world in any meaningful way. If someone told you how important your small changes were, and why you should care, you would be all in. Read on, because below are simple ideas that will vastly improve our earth and make your personal shade of green a little, well, greener.
While most people that care about the environment want to take action, they simply do not know where to begin. These simple steps take little effort and can make a measurable impact on our environment.
Conserve Water
Here is an easy one. Turn off the faucet while you brush your teeth. Most of us turn the water on, run our brush under the water for a moment, then brush away for a minute or two, all the while water is running down the drain. By turning off the water you will save an average of 8 gallons of water per day!
Go Old School
Maybe our parents had it right. Use cloth napkins and real plates instead of paper. This saves a tree, and it may even encourage your family to linger around the table a bit longer.
Our grandparents hung laundry out to dry in the fresh air and sunshine. While this is a nice idea, it isn't very practical in terms of simplifying our daily life. We can, however, look at how we use the clothes dryer. This appliance uses more energy than any other appliance in the house except the refrigerator. Use the moisture sensor feature if you have it, which only dries clothes until they are just dry.
Go for the Light
This is a fun one because for little effort, you can feel pretty darned good about yourself in terms of saving energy. As your light bulbs burn out, replace them with compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL). Energy saving bulbs use 75% less energy than regular bulbs and can last up to ten times longer.
Ban the Bag
I find it distracting, and mildly annoying really, to be asked every time I am in the store, "paper or plastic?" Pausing while I weigh my options, I ponder over what is more useful to me versus what is politically correct. "Plastic" I say with feigned confidence. I keep my gaze straight ahead to deflect any judgmental eyebrow raising that may be done by my peers in line. Actually, the answer should always be paper, or even better, bring your own bag (BYOB).
It is estimated that one trillion plastic bags are used every year worldwide. These bags don't completely breakdown when discarded. Rather, they become tiny particles that remain in our soil and eventually make it into the food chain.
Be a Turn Off
There used to be a school of thought that it was actually more energy efficient to leave a computer on 24/7. This is clearly not the case as 75% of the power consumed by home electronics takes place while they are turned off but still in standby mode. An easy solution to this is using a power strip for your electronics. When you are done in your office for instance, one flick of the switch turns off everything.
A lot of people resist going green because they feel it is too much work, or will take too much time out of their already packed schedules. However, little changes here and there actually do add up to measurable energy savings. These simple tips can get you started in moving in a decidedly green direction.
The construction industry has been leading the way in eco-friendly initiatives over the years, and has really been able to make a significant impact on the carbon footprint of the average home. While the materials may cost more than traditional building materials, they will reduce the impact on the environment and reduce the carbon footprint of your home. A great place to make a significant impact is in the kitchen. With the amount of materials and electricity used in the average kitchen, a few changes can make a significant impact. Here are 6 ideas on how to use Eco-Friendly products in your kitchen remodel.
Use recycled or fast-renewing flooring materials- cook and bamboo are two great options when it comes to fast renewing materials with a low impact on the environment. Other options included recycled materials just as rubber tiles, and even glass or ceramic tiles that have been recycled.
Use low- or no-VOC paints. Green paints are becoming easier to find, although they will cost a little more. These paints are better for a home's indoor air quality. It eliminates the fumes associated with traditional paints, and still provides an attractive finish to any room of the house.
Add more green insulation. If you're doing a renovation, it may be time to add more insulation to capture the energy efficiency benefits. This is a great place to use recycled materials to help prevent heat loss and cold air from getting in. There are a wide variety of recycled insulation materials on the market, so consult a professional to find what would work best for you.
Appliances must be Energy Star. Energy Star appliances consume 10-50% less energy than standard models, so if you're adding new appliances, make sure you get the most efficient ones available. It will not only make an impact on the environment, but it will also help reduce your monthly energy bill.
Use green cabinets and fixtures. Eco-friendly cabinets can be expensive, since there are not a lot of manufacturers on the market as of yet (but that is rapidly changing). While there are a lot of manufacturers claiming to be green manufacturers, it is important to check where the product is coming from, where the materials are sourced, and all of the steps in-between.
Use energy efficient lighting. It's easy to swap out incandescents with CFLs, but if you're doing a major remodel, consider going with light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Some LEDs are super easy to install, such as the CREE LR6, and have a warm light tone. Do the research.
While we talked about the kitchen in this article, many of these ideas and materials can be applied to the rest of your house as well. So the next time you are getting ready for a renovation project, consider the green alternatives for your home, and help save the environment.
Both Gen Wright & Jason Delmar are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Gen Wright has sinced written about articles on various topics from Terrier Dogs, Acne Treatment and Lose Weight. Environment Point provides knowledge to help people make a difference when fighting for important to them. Live a greener lifestyle, read up. Gen Wright's top article generates over 1220000 views. to your Favourites.
Jason Delmar has sinced written about articles on various topics from Bathroom Vanity, Kitchen Renovation Ideas and Kitchen Home Improvement. I have been remodeling house for 15 years, and I have the secret to getting high quality at an affordable price. Interested in finding out my secret. Jason Delmar's top article generates over 49500 views. to your Favourites.