What lifestyle changes have you made to help the environment?

Question

I'm looking for ideas to go green :)

Answer 1

I bought 2 cars that run on natural gas (methane). It's super cheap to fill up ($10) and clean for the environment, too. Check my sources below and see if there are any filling stations in your area. These cars are great, so I say go for it and be super green!  

Answer 2

Started recycling at work. We go through so many plastic water bottles and soda cans, but no one wanted to recycle them. Now I collect at work and take them home and add them to my personal recycling can.

Bought reusable grocery bags. They were only 99cents (from 99cents store) and are SO much better than store plastic or paper. They hold 2-3 times and much and don't leave those strap marks on my arms when I carry groceries in.  

Answer 3

you know what changed me the most? and it's not really about doing these things at a snap.

it's when i realized i can make the difference. it's this state in my life when i decided to change my lifestyle for the environment. it's this certain push that lead me to every single thing these guys are talking about.

Go. gree.

Answer 4

Learn more about solar energy...

Answer 5

The biggest thing; I changed jobs to shorten my commute. Also: I do not drink any prepacaged, single-serve beverage, ever. I keep a "carless day" and "meatless Monday".  I don't wash jeans, I just hang them out in the sun. I turn my heat down to 55. I drive the speed limit, take the bus, or walk. I grow my own veggies.  

Answer 6

Joined a watershed association and started pitching in  to help solve the AMD problems in our local streams!  This is a simple thing to do and they need people with ideas and ambition to get projects going. It doesn't take a lot of time but we are making a real difference. We also: do road cleanups, recycle, watch our power usage and restrict showering time and laundry.  And hang the laundry when able. That's a simple one almost no one does anymore.  I've also found that most younger people do not sew or mend clothes.  They throw out clothes with tears or stains and buy new.  What a waste!  

Answer 7

I now use small towels instead of the big bath towels.  The reason ....it takes less energy to dry a small towel.  

Answer 8

Recycle, Rechargeable batteries, Change every light bulb in the house to a fluorescent.  

Answer 9

I spent £3m on a £5m turbine with my local government able to power a maximum of 1600 houses.

Hope this helps.

Answer 10

Here are some things that I do and some other ideas that you could try 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)

~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 11

Well i always try not to turn on my lights as much as i can.

and if i do i always turn them off when i am done.

also not using a hair-dryer.

i also bring my own bags to gorcery stores, if i can remember

and recycle of course.

Answer 12

I've reduced my electricity usage by at least 1/3 and I've installed solar panels to reduce at least another 1/3. I have dramatically reduced stanby electricity. I line dry my clothes. My thermostat is set at 80 and I use the morning cool air and fans to cool my house most of the day.

I have dramatically reduced my garbage, in part by recycling and eleminating disposable items. I'm also making better choices about packaging, I use reusable bags for everything, including produce and items from the bulk aisle.

I eat the majority of my food from local orgainc farms and ranches. I am growing a few items this year and am removing my water thirsty lawn to expand my veggie garden and plant a few more fruit trees.

I've had a Prius for 6 years and our other car is now a hybrid, we bike to work and other trips. We have made a commitment not to fly for vacation for the next 3 years.

I am involved with a couple organizations including 1sky.org and I am a volunteer at my cities Utility Exploration Center as well as working with my sons high school Earth Club. I also consider yahoo answers a green effort.

Answer 13

At the college I go to, I always recycle bottles of water I bring to school. At home, I recycle newspapers, bottles/ plastic, and toss the rest in the garbage.

Answer 14

i recycle d**n near everything

military showers

bike riding

public transportation

gardening

i use a cloth bag to carry my groceries home

Answer 15

Only one- I bought rechargable batteries last week.   Never driven very much, didn't even have electricity for years, don't have a TV now, always grow as much of my own food that I can...

Answer 16

Reducing and reusing are my top fave things to do before recycling.

-I try to avoid purchasing products that are over-packaged or have too much packaging, thus avoiding the amount of garbage produced.

-I buy a majority of my products from the bulk food store (Bulk Barn) including the soaps there (since the soap comes in NO packaging, and plus is made of all-natural products).

-Within my home, i insulated all around my windows and doors to reduce the heat (or cool air) lost to the outdoors.

-During summer months, i reduce the amount of energy i use by opening up all my windows and closing the blinds to reduce heating in rooms from sun. the air that blows through my house acts as natural cooling.

-My thermostat is constantly set to 28.5 C during summer and 24.5 C during winter.

-I reuse old clothing i have by making handbags, skirts, etc. or i add my own charm or design to clothes that still do fit and re-wear them instead of purchasing constantly.

-All of my lightbulbs are CFLs, my christmas lights are LEDs, and i have low-flow shower heads and aerators installed on all sinks and showers in my home.

-I bring reusable mugs to my coffee shop, and a reusable bag to every single store i go to (even the mall!)

-I have installed a programmable thermostat and have insulated my hot water pipes to keep the water from cooling down.

-I have been composting for over 2 years, and am growing green peppers in my small garden. I also get tomatoes, plums, pears, cucumbers, onions and eggs from my grandma, who owns a large property enough to grow chickens and a garden.

-I make my own cleaning products from vinegar, baking soda, etc. to reduce the amount of toxins emitted to the environment

-Carpooling with friends and family helps reduce the amount of fuel i use. My car is efficient on gas and was rated as one of the fuel-efficient cars.

-I try reducing waste when i go camping by bringing reusable cups, dishes, etc. and i recycle all my stuff throughout my visit.

-I have started my own environmental website on tips on green living (www.ecojudge.com).

-I am in an environmental program at a university, expected to graduate within a year

Answer 17

Turn off lights and other electrical devices when not in use. Take a bike where possible. Combine trips. Call in sick to work as often as I can get away with. But most importantly tinkling behind the barn.