16 Ways to Save the Earth:
Found this in my Glamour Magazine thought I would share:
#1) Tighten your car's gas cap
Uh, why? In the united states every year, 147 million gallons of gas evaporates due to loose, damaged, or missing caps. Seems easy like an easy fix people, I make sure my gas cap clicks three times. (thanks Honda for putting that right on the cap to remind me to do so)
#2) Switch to laundry detergent that's concentrated
Uh, why? A bigger package uses more plastic packaging, more oil to produce, and energy to transport. Its an easy switch, I think it works better than the regular ones anyhew.
#3) Turn off the light.
Uh, why? A single 60 watt bulb burning 12 hours a day for a year uses up to 6300 gallons of water (its used to help drive steam turbines in power plants) That's your recommended drinking water supply for 35 years. And switch to fluorescent bulbs "they last 10 times as long and can save two tons of coal a year per home." DONE and DONE!
#4) Put your computer on "sleep or standby"
Uh, why? Do this all year, according to the NRDC (whoever that is, lol) and you could cut your computer's power consumption by 98 percent when not in use and save $75 on your electric bill. DONE and DONE!
#5) Fill up the diswasher
Uh, why? Regularly running it half empty wastes twice the water.
#6) Skip the takeout (i know this is sometimes unavoidable, sometimes I just want to chill in sweatpants and not show my tired face in public)
One-to-go order often comes with more trash than food, plastic tableware, napkins and condiment packages, at least ask them to hold what you don't need. Start small if you're someone who brings home to-go food or orders in twice a week, maybe cut it down to once a week.
#7) Lower your water heater from 140F to 102F (this will be a tough one for me as I like to take showers in almost 3rd degree burn inducing, scalding hot water, but hey, we only have one earth)
Uh, why? It will save 6 to 10 percent on your energy costs, and trim emissions of heat trapping pollutants by as much as 10 percent (heading to the basement soon to see what we have ours set on)
#8) Go vegetarian for a day. (ok I'm not a vegetarian, nor do I plan on becoming one anytime soon, but I supposed I could do this, for a day, a measly day, sure)
Uh, why? Livestock production is responsible for 18 percent of the world's greenhouse gases.
#9) Test your toliet
Uh, why? Place a drop of food coloring in the tank and wait 15 minutes. If it shows up in the bowl, you have a leak--which can waste 200 gallons of water in a SINGLE DAY says the NDRC (flush after the test to prevent staining) Putting in a new toliet flapper is often the solution ($5) just google "how to replace a toliet flapper" and you're good to go
#10) Use 100 percent recycled paper
Uh, why? If every household in the US replaced one 250-count pack of virgin fiber napkins with 100 percent recycled ones, we'd save a million trees, says the NDRC (yeah but they're way more expensive says this poor working single lady, maybe I'll compromised at first and buy recycled toliet paper, every other time)
#11) Do a waterless car wash
Uh, why? Commercial car washes used about 40 gallons of water while home jobs used 110 gallons. DIY with a waterless product like Eco Touch (or just be like me and NEVER wash your car haha. It's silver and its awesome!)
#12) Invest in a lunch box
Uh, why? CUZ I SAID SO!
#13) Cut down on junk mail
Uh, why? Not only is it annoying but wasteful! Go to catalogchoice.org to cancel everything you don't want
#14) Use a power strip
Uh, why? For your home theater, its easier to turn them all off.
#15) Wash your clothes on "cold"
(I do this anyways, I'm a lazy sorter)
#16) Drive 10 mph slower. (Ha! Not gonna happen Glamour!)
Uh, why? Doing 55 mph instead of 65 mph can boost your fuel efficiency by 15 percent
No comments:
Post a Comment