What are some small ways in which an individual can live a "green" life?

Question

What are some small ways in which an individual can live a "green" life?

Answer 1

Recycle.  It's no harder to throw plastic, paper, cardboard, etc... into a recycling bin than a garbage can.  It will reduce your garbage tremendously.  You can switch to eco-friendly light bulbs that last longer, use way less energy, and will reduce your monthly electric bill.  You can be more concious of how much water you use.  Do you really need to leave the water while your brushing your teeth?  Small things like that add up.  Set the thermostat a few degrees higher in the summer.  Even 75 degrees inside is fairly comfortable.  Stop running errands seperately.  Try to save up your errands to one day a week.  That's less gas you're buying, and gives you more time to do other things.

There are tons of ways to reduce our impact on the planet.  These are just some of what we do.

Answer 2

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 3

These websites can help get your ideas started. Once you learn the basics you'll see things in your own life that you can change.

Answer 4

here is a whole collection

http://byderule.multiply.com/journal/ite...

Answer 5

Carpool, bike, or walk. Slow down. Get rid of your TV. Never wash your jeans. Plant a garden. Support your local co-op. Don't use disposable containers. "Meatless Mondays". Buy a sweater and set your heat to 55. Drive 55.

Answer 6

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

~Of course, recycle everything you can!

~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 by 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.

~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 plastic, 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!

~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 7

- buy organic

- wash your clothes in cold water

- Carry canvas bags with you when shopping

- Use a stainless steel water bottle instead of buying plastic

-Replace your toxic cleaners with natural ones (ie greenworks)

- Use exterior shading/close your blinds/open windows instead of using your A/C

- Use chemical free sunscreen (Bert's Bees makes this)

- Find creative ways to reuse materials

- Use cloth napkins, consider cloth diapers

- Invest in a rain barrel to water your lawn

- Turn the water off when you brush your teeth

- Take a shorter shower

- Recycle

- Unplug appliances when not in use

- Turn the TV off for a day here and there

- Plant a tree

- Use energy efficient light bulbs and turn lights off whenever possible

Hope these help...