Going Green To save our planet?

Question

What ways have you decided to go green and help save

our planet.? I have tried the new light bulbs and they really do make a big difference, I recycle every chance that I get.

If there are other ideas out there, I would like to hear them.

Answer 1

There are so many ways you can 'green up'.  A lot depends on whether you are living with parent or away from home, for example.  

Recycling everything you can is one way, though some people argue that the amount of energy it takes to recycle an item outweighs its benefits.

Walking/cycling instead of driving - but then you could be inhaling the fumes from all the cars.  

Switching things off when they're not in use.  So many people leave the computer on for an hour or more between uses.  If you're going out, switch it off.  Even if you're only going to be away from it for a few minutes, turning just the monitor off will help.

I think the best thing I have done for the environment/my family/myself is taking on an allotment.  I only took it on a few months ago, so haven't had a harvest yet, but the fresh air and exercise are doing us the world of good, and growing your own is better than buying from a shop for many reasons.  

Composting is a fantastic way to recycle garbage and reduce land fill.  I have had compost bins in my garden for about 5 years and empty every year.  I have only emptied one so far this winter but the compost I got out of it filled 2 large (reused) compost bags, giving me about 200 litres of good, organic compost in total.   So I don't have to drive to a shop to buy it, where they will have had it delivered by a lorry, plus I know that no chemicals have been used.

Answer 2

Try shutting off the t.v. , computer ,lights ,coffee makers  , anything u plug in to a outlet needs to to be stopped when not in use. And try carpooling, riding a bike, walking to get to places because a the gas will pollute the earth.Also try buying Hybrid cars or small cars.

P.S. NO 1 should buy HUMMERS they POLLUTE SO MUCH

Answer 3

How, exactly, is buying new light bulbs helping?  The new CFL have mercury in them.  Don't break one in your house.  Just ask the Environmental Protection Agency...

Here are U.S. EPA’s guidelines for cleaning up a broken CFL:

Open a window and leave the room (restrict access) for at least 15 minutes. If you have fans, place the fans in the windows and blow the air out of the room. Note: If the room has no windows, open all doors to the room and windows outside the room and use fans to move the air out of the room and to the open windows.

Remove all materials you can without using a vacuum cleaner.

Wear disposable rubber gloves, if available (do not use your bare hands).

Carefully scoop up the fragments and powder with stiff paper or cardboard.

Wipe the area clean with a damp paper towel or disposable wet wipe.

Sticky tape (such as duct tape) can be used to pick up small pieces and powder.

Place all cleanup materials in a plastic bag and seal it, and then place in a second sealed plastic bag.



If no other disposal or recycling options are available, private residents may dispose of the CFL in residential garbage. Be sure to seal the CFL in two plastic bags and put into the outside trash.

Wash your hands after disposing of the bags.

The first time you vacuum the area where the bulb was broken, remove the vacuum bag once done cleaning the area (or empty and wipe the canister) and put the bag and/or vacuum debris, as well as the cleaning materials, in two sealed plastic bags in the outdoor trash or protected outdoor location for normal disposal.

Answer 4

i use public transport

Answer 5

I watch Oprah today and she talked about a power strip where if you turn off the switch it will turn all of the power off saving you 40% on energy bill. Also, get a home electrical audit where your electrical company will send somebody to audit your home and see what you can change or install.  Or go to my website www.shaklee.net/goldentree my ID is ZV00815 to get green products and because of the packaging involved they plant trees. Or plant a tree for a dollar at american forest.org