What are ways to "Go Green"???

Question

I have 4 younger brothers, and my mom. My dad died 3 years ago, and did at-home scientific studies about saving energy etc etc. I really want to "go green" in honor of him, but my family is SO busy, I do ballet, music, sports, dot dot dot. What are some easy ways to do this?

Answer 1

Good for you.  I did find one website that helped me:

http://www.ways2gogreen.com

Answer 2

http://www.consumersenergy.com/apps/pdf/...

Simple ways to save on your utility bills.

Answer 3

Since I've been making greener choices my life has become easier. Remember the basics - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

This site has several great articles. "Live" is probably going to have the most for you - particularly the articles under Simplify. http://www.eartheasy.com/homepage.htm

Answer 4

here is a really good website:

http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Vine...

Answer 5

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 6

This is simple....

Here is a list.........

-If something isn't in use unplug it (tvs, radios, toasters.....)

Because even off electronics waste energy

-Get rid of computer screensavers

Because they use more energy than needed and on newer computers they have no use...

-Recycle paper

There are usually recycling bins behind most schools

-Recycle anything that can be recycled...

you can find centers @ www.yellowbook.com

(schedule a time when you can take everything you have to recycle in one trip)

-Take shorter showers...go from 30 min to 10-15min

(no tub baths....too much wasted water)

-During the day lower the air conditioner and instead close the blinds to keep your home cool

-Carpool

-Turn off unneccesary lights

-Turn off water while brushing your teeth

-Towel dry hair rather than blow dry

-Don't trash old clothes but rather give them to someone who needs them

-Mail in empty ink cartrdges to participating companies such as T-Mobile or the ASPCA (SEE their websites for more info and mailing envelope

-Reuse something old that would normally get thrown away in a new way ( coffee cans decorated with paper make great pencil/pen holders) or ( old watering can can be used as a flower pot)

-Be smart......dont waste energy under any circumstances

think before you use it....

PS. Hope I helped you go green!!!

PPS. Take your carbon footprint @ http://www.nature.org/initiatives/climat...

Answer 7

Great question...and some great answers.  

Answer 8

Good for you for going green! My family shop with this great online shopping club that manufactures (sp?) really great earth friendly products. You get them delivered straight to your door too! I'm sure it would really cut down on the amount of time your Mum has to spend out shopping at the supermarket. We have been with them for a while now and I have to say I am really impressed with everything we have recieved. Also all their packaging is totally recyclable :) Message me if you want to know more, and I can let you know where you and your family can find out all the info

Blessings!!

Answer 9

There are many things that you can do to go 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

That is all I can think of, but you can also get some tips at www.gogreen.com  Good luck  :)