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This thread will be an ongoing thread where we all can join in by replying with our tips and suggestions for 366 ways to be green(er). We will strive to make this list 366 "useful" ways to be green. I think in time we should have a pretty complete list.
As you reply with suggestions below I will edit the original thread with your entry and credit will be listed at the bottom of this thread for all accepted suggestions.
I'll start with the first one, green is users for comments:
- Visit & participate in the AltEnergyShift.com forums.
- Recycle (additional specific recycle tips needed)
- Buy and use recycled products.
- Install CFL's or LEDs.
- Power strip all electrical equipment (except frig) and use the off switch when away or bedtime.
- Garden (additional specific gardening tips needed).
- Wash in cold, hang dry (summer) drying rack (winter)-also adds humidity to the air.
- Clean with baking soda and vinegar; steam cleaners. Eliminate chemical cleaners.
- Insulate, Insulate. Insulate.
- Check all rooms for nooks/crannies-drafts. Heat loss-a/c can be high through small holes.
- Check pipes coming in, window frames, doors, electrical plugs on outside walls. Plug kits are available or just use leftover pieces of insulation.
- Turn down thermostat in winter, add a sweater or robe.
- Turn up thermostat in summer, use fans to help circulate the air.
- Shade the air condition unit. Works harder in full sun.
- Plant trees.
- Eliminate grass.(No water wasted/no mowing with gas mowers.) Plant native plants in your area that are drought tolerant.
- Use compost.
- Install a counter-top water filter. Better than using bottled water. Even if you recycle the plastic bottles, you're still using more oil/gas for those bottles.
- Reusable bags for shopping.
- If the label on your food has more than 3 ingredients, the rest is chemicals and fillers.
- Buy local.
- Buy farmers market.
- Keep your car tuned up, tires checked for pressure. Less mpg with low tires.
- Low flow toilet/shower. Or put a full liter plastic bottle in toilet. Less water to flush.
- Buy organics.
- Have the kids unplug cell phones/games-etc. after they're charged up and unplug chargers.
- Switch to wind up or battery clocks vs. electric clocks.
- If you have remote controls for ceiling fans or sky lights, install power strip bars on those too.
- Save a small bundle of old newspapers for window cleaning. Streak free, and better than wasting paper towels.
- Use thin cotton towels (organic if possible) for cleaning chores, and the same for drying towels vs. paper towels. If they're thin, they dry out between uses, so no fear of bacteria between uses.
- Tablespoon or two of used coffee on house plants periodically; gives them a small boost, helps loosen compacted soil when it's mixed in.
- Urge your apartment owners to install l.e.d.'s or cfl's in common areas.
- Take the stairs in apartments, exercise and save electricity.
- Use environmentally friendly litters for you kitties.
- Cut back or eliminate meat/pork/chicken can products for your cats/dogs.
- Walk or bike whenever possible vs. jumping in the car.
- Consider natural products first; twines, rope, ribbons vs. man made versions
- Grow houseplants that are known to clean indoor air
- Grow an organic indoor herb garden
- Install weatherstripping around drafty doors and windows
- Reuse rain water just like for cleaning the garage, washing door mats, flushing the toilet and watering the plants.
- Buy and use glass wares rather than plastic wares that are disposable.
- Hand wash clothes
- Start or join a seed saving program for flowers that are local to your area.
- Plant flowers or bushes that attract bees and butterflies.
- Install a bat house.
- Bury iron scrap around trees instead of using man made fertilizers.
- Use reel push mowers or electric trimmers instead of gas powered lawn mowers.
- Leave your car behind at home & use public transport as much as possible
- If not feasible to use public transport, car pool
- Conduct energy audit of all public water supply systems & implement energy efficiency measures
- Mandate rain water harvesting in all buildings, especially large public & commercial buidlings
- Use less water while during personal hygiene.
- Organize a neighborhood car pool day for shopping/going to the farmers market. Saves gas, and let's you chat up with friends.
- If you have an elderly or disabled neighbor or a veteran that needs your help with picking up some items, volunteer to add the items. "Many hands make light work."
- Donate clothes/household items to shelter stores that help woman and their kids get back on their
feet from an abusive situation. Or just a regular second hand store. - Eliminate your lawn. Stop slaving over a hot lawn mower every weekend, gas/oil-emissions.
Plant a zero-scape yard or plants native to your area/ground-covers.
Heat resistant plants won't need as much water either. - Collect rainwater (probably already mentioned) but use that rainwater to water the ground-covers or native plants once you've gotten rid of the grass.
- Spring cleaning
- Leave the car behind is not only a great principle to living green because it helps reducing pollution, but also contributes to health.
- Going through the public transport let you exercise your muscles, and even best if you can substitute transportation by walking whenever possible.
- Use vinagar as a weed killer instead of pesticides. You can also use vinagar to clean windows and in the laundry to help remove stubborn odors.
- Final rinse-laundry. Removes soap buildup/residues.
- Final rinse-for your hair while showering. Removes soaps/shampoos buildup. Shower glass doors. Or shower curtain; launder with no soap-just vinegar to remove buildup.
- Coffee maker clean-up. Run a full pot of vinegar through. Rinse. Save vinegar for another use later.
- Ladies personal care products. Don't waste money or your health on man-made chemical personal cleaners. Add 2-3 tablespoons of vinegar to hot tea and honey. Will help restore your levels/balance in your GI tract.
- Use you dishwasher instead of hand washing your dishes.
- Only use the washing machine if you have a full load of laundry.
- Open up the windows during the summer instead of using the air conditioner.
- Car pool instead of driving.
- Be sure to recycle all of your paper instead of throwing your paper in the garbage, this includes school papers and mail.
- Learning to make our own sustainable products is a good way to make the shift because it's the only way to ensure your products meet your green living expectations.
- Buy second hand clothes.
Edited by Shortpoet-GTD, 19 May 2013 - 04:45 AM.
updated
Any more?
