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Easy ways to Go Green!

Posted by Jeanie
Tuesday 30 December, 2008

Want to know some simple ways to make a change in our environment? If you are not sure where to start, here are some easy and free ways to get started:

  • Take shorter showers.
  • Carpool to work.
  • Turn off the lights when you leave the room.
  • Have a swap party with your friends. Bring all the clothes you are tired of, home decor, jewelry, books, kitchen items, music, movies, etc and swap out your items for items your friends may have that you like.
  • Unplug idle appliances and electronic devices. Just because that cellphone charger doesn't have a phone attached to it, doesn't mean it's not drawing energy.
  • Monitor your thermostat. Small changes make a big difference over time.
  • Walk or ride a bike for nearby errands.
  • Skip the memo pads and write everything on a dry-erase board -- that way, the whole family stays informed.
  • Combine shopping/errands and do them in a single trip -instead of 2 or more trips. Contributed by Clive.
  • Wash all laundry in cold water. Contributed by Debbie.
  • Don't run the water when you brush your teeth. Contributed by Lori.
  • Use the Sunday comics to wrap presents for the kids in your life. Contributed by Janice.
  • Reuse your water bottle instead of buying new. Contributed by Linda.
  • Teach your children about the environment and show them how they can help. Contributed by Rachel. 
  • Recycle your paper, glass, cans, etc. at home and at work. Contributed by Stephanie.
  • When you pack your lunch, reuse your plastic storage containers instead of using plastic storage bags. Contributed by Erin.
  • Eliminate your junk mail. GreenDimes can help you do this. Contributed by Greggory.
  • Set a bucket or barrel (any kind of container) outside to collect rain water. Use this water for your household/patio plants. Contributed by Edward. 
  • Charge your cell phone in the car whenever possible. Contributed by Sophia.
  • Turn the thermostat down on your hot water heater. Most are set at 140 degrees. Turn it down to 120 degrees and reduce your heating costs by 6-10%. Contributed by Trevor. 
  • If you have something you are going to throw out, donate it to your local shelter instead. This can include clothes, furniture, kitchen items, pet items, toys, etc. Help someone else in need instead of filling up our landfill. Contributed by Maria. 
Here are some tips that cost very little:
  • Reuse your own shopping bags. Say no to plastic and reuse your own tote/shopping bags over and over again. Plastic bags can take 100 years to degrade.
  • Plant a tree.
  • Reuse old furniture. Instead of buying new, repurpose it by refinishing or new upholstery.
  • Shop local for your food.
  • Buy products over the internet instead of using gas to do your shopping.
  • Buy green cleaning products. You won't believe how  much better your home will smell,  and you will no longer breathe in fumes from hazardous  toxins in  regular  cleaners.
  • Buy recycled paper products like paper towels, toilet paper, napkins, copy paper, etc. and help save our trees.
  • Buy products in bulk to save on excess packaging.
  • Change your light bulbs to compact fluorescents or LED. Contributed by Kristy.
  • Use cloth napkins instead of paper napkins. Contributed by Stephanie.
  • Make your own baby food instead of buying it. Contributed by Brianna.
  • Go paperless - read your newspaper and magazine subscriptions online. Contributed by Brian.
  • Make sure your loads are full when you use your dishwasher and wash machine.  Contributed by John. 
  • Use low flow faucets in your bathroom. Contributed by William.
  • Buy products that uses recycled materials whenever possible. Contributed by Seth.
  • If you need a new furnace or kitchen appliance, buy energy star. Contributed by Caesar.
  • Use rechargeable batteries. Contributed by Shevia.
  • Insulate your water heater with an insulating jacket for the cost of $15 and save even more on your heating bill. Contributed by Kin.
We have started a list, but would like help from you. Do you have an idea for being green? If so, email us at info@4rfuture.com with your tip, and we will include it here on the list. We encourage all our shoppers/customers to send us their tips and let us post them.  Let's share our ideas and let others reap the benefits too.

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