Some good tipsfor green living???

Question

i own two cars.i am an indian.well i hust wanna contribute my part towards the greener enviornment.

Answer 1

I have a HUUUUGE list available at www agua-luna com it's like 33 pages long and would just spam this whole answer. But here's a few cut from the list below. if you'd like the entire list feel free to visit www agua-luna com or email me through the site directly and I’ll send you a copy.

Also Agua-Luna com now offers Carbon Offsetting Credits, since our Team of Volunteers is already accomplishing several carbon eliminating projects, we’re now converting the carbon offsets to you. Visit www agua-luna com for a FREE carbon calculator to calculate your carbon footprint for free and more info on carbon credits.

You could also Volunteer with us, planting a tree or working on a Sustainable Renewable Energy Building Project in Mexico with us. Again see www agua-luna com for more info.

I also do some free consulting, there's more info on the site about that too. Here’s some more ways to help the environment…

Recycle paper, cardboard, newsprint and magazines.

Recycle aluminum cans.

Recycle all batteries.

Recycle and reuse. Roughly 50% of the average person's trash can be recycled. Don't forget that hazardous waste like batteries, your printer's ink cartridges, and cell phones can be recycled too! Find out how and where to recycle in your area. Always buy recycled paper. Just 1 ton of recycled paper saves 17 trees.

Just because your community doesn't pick up all recyclables on the curb, it doesn't mean there are not viable alternatives nearby. Check with dry cleaners, supermarkets, manufacturers, your local public works department and civic organizations to find out where recycled goods can be dropped off, at a location near you.

Did you know that just in 1995 alone, recycled toner cartridges kept over 21,000 tons of trash out of landfills? Believe it or not, now you can recycle your printer's toner cartridges! Every year, Americans throw out enough printer cartridges to stretch from Los Angeles to New York City and back again. Toner cartridges can be recycled, having just as good a performance as an unrecycled cartridge. To recycle your toner cartridges, find a local business that does printer cartridge recycling, or contact the manufacturer of your current toner cartridge and ask about a cartridge recycling program.

Not only should you recycle, but buy products that are recycled. By purchasing these products, you are helping to conserve natural resources, and to protect the environment.

Wash clothes in cold water.

Hot water is unnecessary for most clothes. When needed, use warm water.

Fill your toilet tank.

Put a plastic bottle or two, filled with water and rocks, in your tank to reduce the amount of water used in each flush.

Clean your filters.

Clean the filters of your air-conditioners once a month to improve energy efficiency. While you’re at it, change your car’s filters as recommended in your manual.

Get a low-flow shower head.

Stop at the hardware store on your way home, and get a low-flow shower head. Takes a few minutes to install, and it’ll save gallons of water a day.

Lower your thermostats.

If you use heating, get by with less heat and wear warmer clothes. If you use air-conditioning, get by with less cooling and wear cooler clothes.

If it’s a nice sunny day, hanging clothes only takes a few minutes, and you’re using solar power instead of electricity to do the job. It also makes your clothes last longer.

Turn down your water heater.

Most people have their water heater’s thermostat turned up too high, wasting energy. Turn it down to 130 degrees, saving energy but still hot enough to kill bacteria.

Use CFC light bulbs.

If your light bulb burns out, replace it with a Compact Flourescent bulb (those spiral-looking ones). They’re more expensive, but if you just replace them one at a time, it doesn’t cost much, and the energy savings is great. And as they last longer, over the long run, you’ll save money.

Wash and dry only full loads of laundry and dishes.

Follow your community's water use restrictions or guidelines.

Install a low-flow shower head.

If you are not looking to change your car just yet there are a number of ways you can be more environmentally friendly and help you save money by conserving fuel.

Lighten your car to reduce weight by not carrying unnecessary items.

Cut your speed and stick to the speed limits

Drive smoothly avoiding heavy accelerating and braking.

When stationary for a long time, switch off the engine.

Closing windows will make the car more efficient by being more aerodynamic.  Remove roof bars when not is use also helps.

Make sure your tyres are properly inflated as under inflated tyres cause more resistance.

Where possible, walk, cycle or even use public transport.  

If possible lift share to reduce the number of cars on the road.

Try mass transit.

Millions of people use it, and it saves tons of fuel. If you don’t already, give it a try.

Unload your car.

Remove excess weight from your car (such as stuff that might be in the trunk) to reduce the amount of fuel you use.

Walk instead of drive.

You don’t have to do this all the time, but walking the short trip to a store, or to lunch from work, or some other short trip like that, can reduce the amount of fuel you use over the long term, and you shed some fat at the same time. Or at least burn off that morning donut.

Buy a smaller car.

You won’t be able to do this today, probably, but the next time you’re in the market for an automobile, get a smaller and energy-efficient car rather than a big, lumbering one. It’s one of the best things you can do to reduce your fuel consumption.

Inflate your tires.

Many people don’t realize that their tires are under-inflated. Check the recommended pressure for your tires, and fill them up to that pressure. It only takes a few minutes, but it will save you on fuel consumption (a little) and more importantly, make your tires last longer and reduce the rubber that’s worn off your tires.

Get creative with gift-giving. The gift of time, services, or environmentally positive gifts may be more appreciated than disposable goods that are not to the taste or needs of the recipient.

Look into those lifestyle changes you’ve been putting off

Work from home more. Many organisations, when prodded a little, will accept flexible work arrangements where there is no impact to the work that needs to get done.

Use your oven less.

The oven not only uses a lot of energy, it heats up your kitchen, requiring more cooling. Instead, use toaster ovens, crockpots, microwaves, and electric grills when you can. And when you do use your oven, open it less - you lose 25% of the heat every time you open the oven door.

Mend your stuff.

Try not to throw stuff away and buy new stuff if the old stuff can be fixed. Torn clothing? Takes a few minutes to sew up.

Install a water filter.

If you buy a lot of bottled water, use your tap instead. Some places need a filter to make tap water taste drinkable, but they don’t cost much and they can save money, water, and plastic bottles over time.

Unplug appliances.

If you don’t use an appliance several times a day, it’s better to unplug it, as they often use energy even when turned off

Use rechargeable batteries.

Instead of throwing your batteries away all the time, reuse rechargeable batteries. Costs a little more, but cheaper in the long run.

When you’re looking to buy appliances, be sure to research the most energy-efficient ones. They may cost a little more, but they’ll more than make up for that in the long run with lower energy bills.

Buy a smaller home.

The next time you’re home-shopping, instead of buying the McMansion, look for a smaller home that’s big enough to meet your needs comfortably. Reducing the amount of stuff you own is a good way to need less house. It’s cheaper, and requires less energy to heat and cool. And easier to clean at the same time.

Look for energy efficiency.

Use acryllic paint.

Compost.

It’s not hard to set one up (look it up online), and you can save a lot of waste from the landfill and help your garden at the same time

Water grass early in the morning.

Reduces the amount of water you need to keep your grass looking fabulous.

Plant shade trees near your house.

It’ll take awhile before they can make a difference, but shade trees greatly reduce the need to cool a home.

Coat your roof.

This’ll take up an afternoon, but you only have to do it once every few years. And it’ll save you a lot of money and energy in heating and cooling over the long-term, more than making up for the cost of paint.

Avoid fast food.

Instead, eat at home or at a sit-down restaurant. Fast food restaurants are one of the worst polluters of the environment, both in the massive amounts of beef they must raise, in the wasted packaging, and in the energy they use in so many ways. And they’re tremendously unhealthy.

Buy a manual reel mower or electric mower.

If you’re looking for a new lawn mower, and you have a small yard, consider getting a manual one. They’re much advanced from the reel mowers of our grandparents’ generation, much quieter, cheaper, and they save on fuel and pollution. Electric mowers are also quieter and use much less energy.

Clean up.

Hope this helped, feel free to contact me personally if you have any questions if you’d like assistance in making your first self sufficient steps, I’m willing to walk you step by step threw the process. I’ve written several how-to DIY guides available at  www agua-luna com on the subject. I also offer online and on-site workshops, seminars and internships to help others help the environment.

Dan Martin

Alterative Energy / Sustainable Consultant, Living 100% on Alternative & Author of How One Simple Yet Incredibly Powerful Resource Is Transforming The Lives of Regular People From All Over The World... In

Answer 2

First: Reduce

The critical first step of waste prevention has been overshadowed by a focus on recycling. Please help to promote a greater awareness of the importance of the "Reduce" part of the Reduce-Reuse-Recycle mantra.

Simplify: Simplify your life as much as possible. Only keep belongings that you use/enjoy on a regular basis. By making the effort to reduce what you own, you will naturally purchase less/create less waste in the future. For information on voluntary simplicity, check out Voluntary Simplicity Web Resources. Learn more through books on voluntary simplicity.

Reduce Purchases: In general, think before you buy any product - do you really need it? How did the production of this product impact the environment and what further impacts will there be with the disposal of the product (and associated packaging materials)? When you are thinking about buying something, try the 30-Day Rule -- wait 30 days after the first time you decide you want a product to really make your decision. This will eliminate impulse buying.

Tree-Free Home: As much as possible, create a tree-free home:

replace paper napkins with cloth napkins

replace paper towels with a special set of cloth towels/napkins - store the used ones in a small container in your kitchen and just wash and reuse

purchase bleach-free, toilet paper that is made from the highest post-consumer waste content you can find (80% minimum)

if you print documents, print on once-used paper and/or bleach-free, recycled paper with the highest post-consumer waste content available (or hemp/alternative-source paper, if you can afford it)

create and use note pads from once-used paper

leave messages for family members/roommates on a reusable message board

make your own cards/letters from once-used products or handmade paper

if you will be doing construction on your house, search out alternatives to using newly cut wood (no endorsement of any company intended):

straw bale

bamboo -- two sites to check out: Plyboo and Teragren

true (natural) linoleum

previously used wood -- one site to check out: Vintage Timber Works

cob -- three sites to check out: Cob, Cob Cottage, and EcoBusiness-Cob Building Resources

composite decking -- The Latest Trend in Decking

Bulk Purchases: Avoid products that are packaged for single use (i.e., drinks, school lunches, candy, cat and dog food, salad mixings, etc.). Instead, buy in bulk and transfer the products to your own reusable containers. Many health food stores have bulk bins where they sell everything from grains to cereal to cleaning products. For additional ideas, read the Precycling information page.

Avoid Trash: Avoid creating trash wherever possible: when ordering food, avoid receiving any unnecessary plastic utensils, straws, etc. (ask in advance), buy ice cream in a cone instead of a cup, don't accept "free" promotional products, buy products with the least amount of packaging, etc. Every little bit of trash avoided does make a difference!

Shopping Bags: While shopping, if you only buy a few products skip the shopping bag. For larger purchases, bring your own. Learn about the dangers of plastic bags and what countries around world are doing about it ("The Dangers of Plastic Bags" slideshow from Teacher Vishal Mody).

Junk Mail: For ideas on how to reduce junk mail, access:

Reduce Personal and Business Junk Mail

Do-it-yourself: Stop junk mail, email and phone calls

How to Get Rid of Junk Mail, Spam, and Telemarketers

Junkbusters

Opt-Out

Green Hotels: When staying at a hotel, motel, or bed and breakfast let the management know that you like to support businesses that adopt environmentally responsible practices (including reducing waste). Print out and drop off the Sustainable Solutions for Green Hotels environmental tips list. To locate environmentally friendly hotels, search on the Internet under "ecotourism" and/or visit Green Hotels Association.

Waste-Free Lunches: Pack a Waste-Free Lunch whenever possible.

Mug-to-Go: Carry a mug with you wherever you go for take out beverages.

Protect Children: New American Dream offers tips for protecting your children from intrusive and harmful advertising that promotes mindless consumption.

Zero Waste: Zero Waste America and Zero Waste Alliance provide information on becoming a "Zero Waste" activist. "Waste is a resource in disguise." (quote from Zero Alliance)

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Second: Reuse

The media has done a wonderful job of selling us on the attractiveness and benefits of buying "new", "improved", "special", etc. products. However, we already collectively own so much that we could all survive for quite a while on the existing products - if we just reused them a few times!

Garage Sales: Shop at and hold garage sales - this is a great way to reuse products.

Reusables: Switch from disposable to reusable products: food and beverage containers, cups, plates, writing pens, razors, diapers, towels, shopping bags, etc.

Donations: Donate your old:

household items - clothes, furniture, dishes, books, sports equipment, magazines, appliances, electronics, business attire, wedding attire, etc. (to charity)

computer equipment

building material (to companies who specialize in selling used material)

cell phones and ink cartridges (to Cure Recycling - profits from reuse of items support the CURE Childhood Cancer organization. Free postage. Another place to donate cell phones is Collective Good)

eyeglasses (to Lions Club, For-Eyes, Pearle, or Lenscrafters)

extra hangers (to your local dry cleaners)

art materials (to a school or cultural organization)

unwanted boxed/bagged/canned food (to homeless shelters, food banks, or soup kitchens)

etc.

Buy/Sell Used Items: Buy and sell your items on sites such as:

Ebay

Barter Bee.

Craiglist provides a great free way to buy/sell/give away used items in your local community (select your community from listings on the right)

Recycler's World facilitates buying and selling used products (for home and work)

Local second hand stores

Freecycle: The Freecycle Network provides an online community tool for giving and receiving free stuff.

Throwplace: Throwplace.com lets you list items online that you would like to give to nonprofit organizations, businesses, or individuals.

Community Swap: Organize a community swap program (i.e., designate a place where people can leave unwanted items for others to use).

Packing Peanuts: Arrange to drop off at a local packing, shipping or moving store.

Wash and Reuse Plastic Bags: With either a wooden bag dryer or in the washing machine.

Buy Durables: Buy products that will last and take care of them.

Teach Thrift: Teach your children the value of being thrifty (the wise economy in the management of money and other resources; frugality).

Frugal Printing: Use both sides of each piece of paper -- for note taking or printing documents from your computer (at home or work). Create note pads by stapling together once-used paper.

Kitchen Reuseables: Instead of buying these items new, save and reuse all: paper bags, rubber bands, twisties, boxes, and packaging material. Reuse your plastic bags with a handy bag dryer.

Library: Pick up books from your local library or used book store. The library is also many times a great place for finding magazines, CDs, books-on-tape, and videos.

Share with Neighbors: Join in with neighbors to purchase infrequently used products such as lawn mowers, ladders, etc.

Refurbished Computers: Buy refurbished computers for less

Rechargeable Batteries: Purchase rechargeable batteries and a battery recharger (some battery rechargers will also recharge regular alkaline batteries). Solar powered battery recharchers are available online.

College Reuse: Dump and Run is a nonprofit organization that organizes the collection of college students' castoff items in the spring, so they can be sold to incoming students in the fall. The proceeds are then donated to nonprofits.

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Third: Recycle

Recycle Bins: Create designated holding "bins" for each type of recycled product and place in convenient locations in your home/garage

Recycling Fact Sheet: Create a local recycling fact sheet for yourself and interested neighbors. The local Yellow Pages, Internet Consumer Recycling Guide and Recycling Resources are great resources. Find out where you can recycle:

glass

paper products

plastic grocery bags (better yet - use cloth bags)

plastic - including 1 - 7 identification codes

aluminum

cardboard

tin cans

scrap metal

motor oil (one quart of oil can kill fish in thousands of gallons of water)

ink cartridges

household appliances such as refrigerators

computer equipment and other electronic devices

aseptic packaging (square boxes used for liquids)

styrofoam

tires

athletic shoes (contact a local sporting goods or athletic shoe store - some donate used shoes, others recycle them)

etc.

Recycled Content: Ask your local retailers to stock more products made from recycled materials and buy products made from the highest recycled content whenever possible.

Green Paper: In general, try to buy products/containers made from recycled material as often as possible to support the recycled product market. When purchasing paper products (toilet paper, etc,), look for paper that has been recycled using a minimum of 50% post-consumer waste. Also, purchase from companies that do not use chlorine to bleach their paper products (which creates dioxin waste).

Natural Fertilizer: Leave grass clippings on the lawn as fertilizer.

Composting: Start a compost pile with yard trimmings and food scraps. Learn more at Wikipedia's Compost page.

Pack-it-Out: If you are traveling and no recycle bins are available, pack your recyclables home with you whenever possible

Answer 3

Do your cars run on gasoline or natural gas (methane)? If they run on methane, you're way ahead of most people. Those cars are much better for the environment, and it costs a lot less to fill them up. I have 2 of them, and they're great to have. Look up if there are filling stations in your area, and if there are, definitely get one or two. I'll give you some links to learn more. Good luck!

Answer 4

If you own a home, start with an energy audit. Many utilities offer these for free. They will tell you the specific areas of your home that are wasting or ineffeciently consuming non-renewable resources.

This will then tell you where you should start and should also tell you the actions of the greatest benefit to you.

In Canada, there is the Federal government program (matched by many, not all, Provinces) called ecoENERGY Retrofit program where homeowners can receive up to $5,000 (matched again by many Provinces) for specific energy conservation activities and investments. The second link below shows the report from this program that a home owner received with pictures of the charts, etc.

Now, you don't have to wait for all this (but you must take the initiative of course). All of the ideas mentioned above are great ones, many costing very, very little money and very, very easy for anyone to do.

You can also go for something different but very useful. If you have south, east or west facing windows in your home consider installing what are called solar shades or solar blinds that fit on the outside, yes the outside, of windows. They reduce most of the sun's harmful UV rays from ever entering the home and thus reduces the excessive heat buildup. There are a variety of manufacturers some whose product you can install yourself and others that will make it for you and install them for you (but of course they cost more).

Consider planting shade trees on the south and west side of your properties that will provide shade in the summer to help reduce the sun from overheating that side of the house and again help to reduce the amount of time your air conditioner runs.

I hope this helps,

Dan

Answer 5

plant a giant garden, and go buy some livestock and chickens

Answer 6

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

well, you can start by turning off all the lights/water when you're not using them. i saved easily $100 on my electrical bill just by lights when i leave a room. also, there are special light bulbs you can buy at home depot, lowes, etc. that use less energy than normal bulbs (while giving the same amount of light). when you do laundry, don't start a cycle until the washing machine is completely full. for other great tips, just google search 'how to save energy,' and loads of sites will pop up. good luck, and thanks for doing your part!

Answer 8

Generally, green living means consuming less energy and protecting and building the natural environment.

Consuming less energy could mean driving less -maybe using some public transport if there is any available to you -or at least keeping your cars in optimum condition (tuned up, tires inflated correctly) so that they are getting the best fuel efficiency. When you're ready to get a new car, consider a hybrid or at least a fuel-efficient option. Home insulation is another way to radically reduce energy consumption.Also check the age and condition of your water heater. If it's time to replace, look for green options.

Eating less meat consumes less energy. I believe I read somewhere that one pound of beef takes something like 10 pounds of grain to raise. You don't have to go Vegan. Reducing portions or going meatless a couple of days a week is still a contribution. Set yourself a goal you can attain. Plus you'll save money and be healthier so that's 3 for 3.

You don't have to strap yourself to a cedar in an old growth forest to keep back the loggers. Plant at least one tree and nurture it. Also, if you plant a fruit tree, in a couple of years you get fruit! Apricots are nice.

You need to do what works for you. Good luck!