How do I start "going green?"

Question

There is so much talk about going green lately, and while I know what it means I'm wondering how I can start going green myself. I'd like to minimize the footprint I'll be leaving on the earth but I don't know where to start.

Tips or ideas?

Answer 1

Start by using less. Drive less, turn off the lights, turn down the thermostat in the winter and up in the summer and things like that.

Then you can start using smarter. Use products that contain less or no harmful substances, are made from recycled materials and use less energy.

Taking small steps like that really add up. You don't necessarily have to put up wind turbines and solar panels to go green, just use less and use smarter.

Answer 2

Buy a scooter, stop wasting water, and use less air conditioning

Answer 3

use the energy saving lightbulbs

take showers instead of baths

don't use air condition un,less u need, so turn the air condition down

turn off lights wen u dont neeed, don't leave water running, the basics

eat organic foods

walk where u can, minimize car use, use public transportation

the gas thing is number one to me, i think.

Answer 4

heres some easy ways:

recycle

turn down air conditioning

insulate your house

walk or ride a bike instead of driving.

buy a small car.

dont use styrofoam

buy reuseable grocery tote bags.

Answer 5

There are many way to start going green. The best are also profitable. Check this link for many ideas on how to:

http://www.zimbio.com/Cool+Green+Busines...

Answer 6

First off, I'd like to say good for you! Everyone really should be doing what you're trying to do! =)

Alright, so if you're just starting out, start with some small things. Get reusable bags for your groceries, buy organic food (when you can), don't drive if you don't have to, recycle, etc.

Also, I don't know if you're aware of this but the CFL lightbulbs, while reducing your energy bill by a LOT, also have been known to cause medical conditions. I actually know someone who put one in over the desk where she does her homework every night and has started having seizures since then. So, if I were you, I would wait before I jumped on the lightbulb bandwagon.

Hope this helps!!

Answer 7

Well to start, you can recycle, or buy things that don't effect the ozone layer. Another thing is to try not to use so much electricity, and to not use so much hairspray and cosmetics!

Answer 8

there are lots of ways, but here are the ones i can think of: buy cloth reusable shopping bags instead of plastic, try to take the bus/walk/ride bike instead of driving, turn off things that need electiricity when you're not using them, recycle, buy energy-saving light bulbs, open windows intsead of using air conditioning, plant a tree, here are some websites that can give you information/help you get started

http://www.epa.gov/

http://www.ewg.org/solutions?gclid=CK3i7...

http://www.treehugger.com/gogreen.php

Answer 9

cleaning after yourself when you c**p on your pants everyday and recycling it

Answer 10

best thing and easiest way to start is to start recycling. really find out how to recycle your trash.  plastic, can, bottles, boxes, lids, cartons.  get info and try it for a month.  you will see your trash go down and your recycling bin get fuller.  

Answer 11

You could consider using less fossil fuels. Or reducing your energy consumption.

One way is to produce your own electricity via wind power ie build a windmill, or solar power by installing solar panels. It's not that expensive if you buy a guide and do it yourself.

The best guide I've seen cost $49. The total installation is less than $200. After that, your electricity bill is history and the benefit to the environment is far more than energy saving light bulbs. Of course if you live in an apartment it might be difficult.

Answer 12

Buy cloth bags for a $1 at your grocery store and stop using plastic.

Don't leave the water running while you brush your teeth.

Carpool, walk or bike to get places

When running the wash machine, use the least amount of water necessary for your clothes

Line dry your clothes on sunny or warm days instead of using a clothers dryer.

Turn the temp on your air conditioner up during the summer so it won't kick on so much.  Turn the temp down on your heat for the same reason.

Answer 13

by doing the simple things such as buying a few reusable shopping bags, get a back of eco bulbs, start recycling paper plastics and aluminum, and buy fresh local produce which require less packaging, if any at all reducing dependence on plastics and very important get a water filter and a good reusable water bottle, like sigg, buy recycled toilet paper and paper products etc.  this is the cheap easy way, you wll get more ideas and cheap products to start living green from Total Eco Store http://www.totalecostore.com,  I go there to buy all my everyday green products, cleaning dteregents etc.  Good luck and Congrats on your decision

Answer 14

There are many things you can do to live green and some are very inexpensive too!

~Of course, recycle everything you can! (Ex: cans, bottles, plastics, paper, ect.)

~Buy energy saving light bulbs

~Buy things like clothes, paper, ect that are made from recycled materials

~Use reusable batteries or recycle dead batteries properly

~Use reusable shopping bags

~If you have plastic shopping bags, use them instead of just tossing them. They can be used to pick up dog poo, line small trash cans, ect.

~Try not to use paper napkins or paper towel as much as possible. Instead use cloth napkins that can be washed.

~Try to use fewer paper plates and more washable ones.

~Take shorter showers

~Turn off lights whenever possible

~Try to buy more organic foods and local foods (for example, at a farmer's market)

~Use regular silverware, not plastic

~Use eco friendly products in replace of regular dish washing liquids, house cleaners, ect. (Greenworks)

~Use cold water to wash clothes (Tide Cold water works great)

~On a nice day, turn off the air/heat and open some windows. You save of the cost, get a nice fresh breeze, and help the environment.

~Plant trees around your house to shade and save on using more air conditioning

~Buy one stainless steel, reusable, water bottle instead of using regular plastic ones and then getting rid of them. This one you can clean and use over and over again!

~Change the setting on your sprinklers to use less water

~Buy eco friendly fertilizers (I think they have them at Home Depot)

~If painting, they have eco friendly paint at Home Depot

~Buy or lease a hybrid if possible

~Walk or ride a bike wherever possible

~Carpool if possible

These are just a few ideas I can think of, but you can also go to www.gogreen.com for some more tips. Good luck :)

Answer 15

first of all, you shouldn't go green just because everyone else is and everyone is talking about it. do it because you really have a passion for it and its something that you care about.  

Answer 16

recycling. turning off tv and light when not used.don't burn trash outside.take buses to places or carpool. buy reusable shopping bags.

    there's tons of things you can do!

Answer 17

http://helpthisworldgogreen.com

has amazing tips on how to start going green and you can also buy things to help the earth !

Answer 18

http://library.thinkquest.org/11353/gath...

thanks for caring about the environment :]

Answer 19

There are a lot of good ideas here.  I use cloth napkins and kitchen towels. They are easy to wash and reuse. Just toss them in the washer with the bath towel. I haven't bought paper towels or napkins in months. So besides being green, it saves me money.  

Answer 20

Some small steps you can take towards going green are:

- unplug your power cords when you are not using them

- turn off your water when you're brushing your teeth

- wear organic cotton

- recycle plastic bags

- use reusable bags when you go shopping

- use organic products (shampoo, soap, toothpaste, etc.)

- only run your dishwasher when it is completely full

- wash your clothes in cold water

Answer 21

Eat spinach. Or collard greens

Answer 22

eat nothing but green leafy vegetables, then you will surely be 'going green'

Answer 23

well you can start bye buying thinkgs around the house that are green like light bulbs and other things

Answer 24

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.