How can i save the planet without spending too much?

Question

i want to do more to save the planet. my family already re-cycles but my parents wont spend much money. any other cheap ways to save energy?

Answer 1

conserve water, ride your bike, don't ask for rides all over.  Give up using as much electricity as you can (blow drying hair, computer (hah) TV radio etc., grow a garden, mow the lawn manually not with an elec or gas mower.  Don't use paper dishes or cups, don't use plastics (i know you recycle, but you cannot recycle plastic 100% so use tin or glass).

Answer 2

Take your own canvas bags to the grocery store and reject the paper and plastic (www.reusablebags.com)

Switch to lemon juice, baking soda and vinegar instead of chemical cleaners - major savings in cost!

Stop buying paper towels and use cleaning cloths that you throw in with your laundry.

Hang your clothes to dry instead of using the dryer

Do a home energy audit - put collections of electrical devices on surge supressors and turn them off when not in use.  unplug anything that's not being used (coffee maker, hair dryer, cell phone charger) they are always drawing power that you pay for.  www.energystar.org

The cool part - every one of these things will save you money in the long run....how cool is that.

Answer 3

Planet is big. You must spend lots to save it. I don’t have that much money so I will continue to pollute I guess.

To get more money for my pollution (breathing, pooping, etc.) I will recycle some aluminum, plastic, glass, and paper, and get some money. Hey wait a second I am getting more money from polluting the planet then saving it!

I also could buy a small 4 cylinder cheaper car that take less gas, but still pollute. Not that stupid expensive hybrid. I will waist lots of money on that one and battery will have to be changed in the next 6-8 years and that will cost several grand.

That just few ways to go green gas for cheap.

Answer 4

who cares about saving the planet, we'll be dead by time its gone :P

Answer 5

I leave my windows open with my air conditioning set as low as it will go. This will help stop global warming. If everyone did this we could get the earth to cool 1 degree.

Answer 6

I have found that going green usually saves you money. I have made just a few changes and my utility bill was $70 lower this May and June compared to last year. There is a great show on Planet Green called Wasted. They go into a families home and show them how they are wasting energy and other resources then show them how to be more eco friendly and then pay them the projected savings. If you don't get the channel see if a friend or family member has Direct tv and can record a couple episodes for you.

Going green is easy, there are so many great resources about the subject. My personal favorite is "The Green Book" which has parts of its book online as well at www.readthegreenbook.com.

As I have been striving to "Go Green" I realize it is like stepping back in time without getting rid of my modern conveniences. I'm doing many things I learned as a child, like line drying my clothes, sweeping instead of vacuuming, opening the windows in the morning to catch the cool breeze, only buying what I need instead of everything that looks cool, growing some of my own food, and canning what I can't eat now.

To me "going Green" is a frame of mind. Do what fits your lifestyle and do the easy things first, it is a process and like dieting if you go to radical to soon, you are more likely to go back to bad habits. I also believe there are good, better, best choices in most things. If you aren't ready to start a home garden, then try finding a farmers market, until you locate one look for produce grown as close to home as possible and go organic when available.

Many people think "going green" is expensive, I disagree. Some changes may take an initial investment, but they usually have a short payoff time. Things like weatherstiping and insulation cost, but the energy savings will add up quickly. You may need to purchase reusable bags, but most stores give you a 5 or 10 cent credit, so you are paid back within a few months.

My top tips are make your home more energy efficient, that also means using natural light, cooling and heating.

Reduce your packaging, if you eat more fresh food you will generally reduce packaging, it's the same thing they tell dieters, shop the perimiter, that is where all the meat, dairy and produce are located. Only buy what you will use, many Americans throw away a lot of unused food. Buy in bulk, that doesn't just mean large packages, but that area with the bins that you buy only what you plan on using.

Replace disposable items with durable items, if you eat outside often and use disposable paper or plastic plates, it is a wise investment to purchase a set of reusable plastic plates. Replace disposable razors, diapers and cleaning products like swiffer. Avoid bottled water, get a home filter like Pur or Brita.

Recycle, www.earth911.org will help you locate the nearest recycle center. I try to only purchase plastics that are #1 or #2, they are more easily recycled. I also buy recycled products when available, that includes paper towels, napkings, toilet paper, tissue, school/office supplies and clothing.

Detox your cleaning, vinegar and baking soda clean almost anything, they can even losen a hair clog. Seventh Generation and Method are a couple mainstream brands that are very earth friendly.

Just start small and build from there, don't get overwhelmed.

Answer 7

since you're probably the same as me and don't want to read an entire essay like the people who have answered before me, here are some simple starter tips on how to help the environment:

+buy "green" products. food[organic], clothes, cleaning supplies, these all should carry some green products.

+ride your bike! pollution from motor vehicles is such a huge thing nowadays. plus its great exercise.

don't leave appliances on all day. example: if your cell phone only needs one hour of charging, don't leave it plugged in for 3. and try not to leave fans or the sprinklers going on for too long either.

+cut your showers a little shorter.

+donate to a cause that supports the environment.

good luck!

Answer 8

Simple way that will also save you money is to turn off the A/C and open to window on a breezy day to let in cool air and natural light. Another thing you can do is just unplug you electronics when they are not in use.

Answer 9

You can limit your impact by not consuming as much.  This means buying fewer things.  This also saves you money.  Not using as much energy in your home means less you have to pay in utilities, and less fossil fuels used up b/c of you.  Buy 2nd hand if you can - buying new products requires lots of materials to be harvested and used, buying used products will typically save you a lot of money and not use up more raw materials.  Craigslist is good for this.  Find local farmer's markets to buy fresh produce in the summer - less travel required for the food, and chances are it will taste SO much better than the typical c**p sold in most grocery stores.  Those are some big things that save money and the earth at the same time, try these!

Answer 10

Simplest way to save the planet is to spend less money and invest the money you save in carbon offsets.

www.terrapass.com

Answer 11

Stop eating meat.  Meat production is very harmful to the environment, and vegetarian foods are much cheaper

Ride a bike instead of driving.  Bikes are alot cheaper than cars, and don't need gas.

Plant some vegetables.  Growing your own food is almost free, and very good for the environment.

Answer 12

Limit your energy consumption. You can actually save money in the process. Drive less, don't leave the computer on, turn the water off, don't buy an s.u.v.