What are some cheap ways to go green?
It seems like everything you can do to be a more environmentally-friendly person is expensive: organic food, special cosmetics, gasoline from corn that you have to fix your vehicle to even be able to use. I'm a teenager with no job (yet), and my mom is a teacher, which is obviously not a whole lot of money. I can unplug my computer when I'm not using it, turn off the lights when I leave a room, and take shorter showers. What else can I do to lessen my carbon footprint?
I have a HUUUUGE list for free available at www agua-luna com it's like 33 pages long & 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 & I’ll send you a free 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 & 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 OR The Amazon. Again see www agua-luna com for more info.
If you can’t join us here are some ways you can at least contribute from home..
Recycle paper, cardboard, newsprint & magazines.
Recycle aluminum cans.
Recycle all batteries.
Recycle & 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, & cell phones can be recycled too! Find out how & 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 & 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 & 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 & 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, & 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 & 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, & get a low-flow shower head. Takes a few minutes to install, & it’ll save gallons of water a day.
Lower your thermostats.
If you use heating, get by with less heat & wear warmer clothes. If you use air-conditioning, get by with less cooling & wear cooler clothes.
If it’s a nice sunny day, hanging clothes only takes a few minutes, & 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.
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 & on-site workshops, seminars & internships to help others help the environment.
Dan Martin
powered by Yahoo answers
June 21st, 2009 at 10:20 am
recycle news paper to make your own paper..use t-shirts to make little purses..
References :
June 21st, 2009 at 10:29 am
Donot waste water. While bathing/washing etc use water in such a way that it goes underground or go in the field where it can be used for irrigation.
References :
June 21st, 2009 at 10:30 am
I have a HUUUUGE list for free available at www agua-luna com it's like 33 pages long & 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 & I’ll send you a free 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 & 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 OR The Amazon. Again see www agua-luna com for more info.
If you can’t join us here are some ways you can at least contribute from home..
Recycle paper, cardboard, newsprint & magazines.
Recycle aluminum cans.
Recycle all batteries.
Recycle & 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, & cell phones can be recycled too! Find out how & 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 & 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 & 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 & 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, & 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 & 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, & get a low-flow shower head. Takes a few minutes to install, & it’ll save gallons of water a day.
Lower your thermostats.
If you use heating, get by with less heat & wear warmer clothes. If you use air-conditioning, get by with less cooling & wear cooler clothes.
If it’s a nice sunny day, hanging clothes only takes a few minutes, & 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.
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 & on-site workshops, seminars & internships to help others help the environment.
Dan Martin
References :
June 21st, 2009 at 10:43 am
Recycle cans, bottles, newspapers.
Water your lawn 3x a week instead of everyday
Use a dish washer DON'T hand-wash your dishes
References :
June 21st, 2009 at 10:53 am
Dan Martin had some great tips! Here's some more:
* Turn off lights and TV when leaving a room.
* Unplug TVs, DVD players, computer chargers, mp3 chargers, and phone chargers when not in use.
* Utilize natural light.
* Ride a bike, use public transportation, or car pool.
* Do errands in one trip, rather than in multiple trips.
* Properly inflate your tires. Be careful not to over-inflate them — the maximum PSI rating is for a vehicle carrying the maximum weight it should. You can go with a number more near the minimum PSI if you're not keeping heavy objects in your car.
* When driving, don't go too fast (the higher your speed, the worse your mileage) and try to drive smoothly — don't brake too much if possible.
* Encourage your friends to go green, too, by teaching them what we've taught you!
Also, look out for "organic" cosmetics. Some of them are outright liars! Here's a link with more info:
http://greenhome.huddler.com/forum/thread/121/my-list-of-fakers-and-not-fakers
References :
June 21st, 2009 at 11:50 am
Dear teenager,
You are already doing awesome in reducing your carbon footprint and it's good to know that you are on top of it.
Here are few simple ways that are environmentally friendly and economical.
*Close the tap water while you brush your teeth
*Recycle cans, glass and plastic, if curb-side recycling or plastic recycling facility is available
*Implement paper consumption control; avoid printing material unless you have to
*If you get paper junk mail, try to reach out to the source to stop the mailing
*Avoid using disposable plates, cups, forks and spoons whenever possible; instead go for glass ware
*Take your own bags to grocery store for bagging
*Avoid purchasing bottled water on a regular basis
*Turn the computer or TV off when not in use
*Unplug computer, cell phone charger (if you have one) when not in use
*Turn off the lights when not in use
*Buy energy efficient bulbs whenever possible
*Do your laundry when the load is full, if possible
*Air dry your laundry, if possible
*Do your weekly shopping in one trip
*Carpool if you are offered the opportunity or ride a bike, when possible
You could also go to http://greenhc.blogspot.com and take a look at a questionnaire and evaluate yourself
Keep it up!
Healthy Living
http://greenhc.blogspot.com
References :
June 21st, 2009 at 12:01 pm
One good way is on cleaning products. You can cut costs as well as eliminating harsh chemicals from your living space. Most cleaning projects can be easily done with baking soda, water, white vinegar to list a few. Check out my article <b>How to Make Your Own Green Cleaning Products</b><br>You can make your own green cleaners easily and for less money than commercial cleaners cost. For pennies on the dollar and a few minutes of your time you will be amazed at your results.<br><a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1190653/how_to_make_your_own_green_cleaning.html">http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1190653/how_to_make_your_own_green_cleaning.html</a>
References :
<b>How to Make Your Own Green Cleaning Products</b><br>You can make your own green cleaners easily and for less money than commercial cleaners cost. For pennies on the dollar and a few minutes of your time you will be amazed at your results.<br><a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1190653/how_to_make_your_own_green_cleaning.html">http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1190653/how_to_make_your_own_green_cleaning.html</a>
June 21st, 2009 at 12:26 pm
You can travel by foot or bicycle instead of by car whenever you find it possible I am not really sure whether organic food is really any freer from contaminants than is other foods. I personally suspect that I get a mild reaction from it. I once heard that people have to "get used to" organic coffee. However, I did not trust the character of the person who gave me the information as a voice of authority. Many cosmetics, whether "special" or not, are simply shortening mixed with a few other ingredients for aesthetic appeal. I heard it on television one time from a physician with some sort of expertise in the area. Do not worry about some matters.
I guess you should try to get your homework and reading done by daylight as much as possible. If you like to read in bed before you fall asleep you can use a low watt bulb for it. Fluorescent light bulbs burn less electricity than do regular light bulbs, and they tend to last longer.
It amazes me that houses are not better-constructed in the face of the elements. I live in Canada, where it gets really cold in the wintertime, and I find that houses are not adequately insulated. If builders would invest in extra layers of the right type of insulation, I think it would make an enormous difference. Also, houses should have a basement and sufficient attic space between the ceiling and the roof, because the air acts as an extra layer of insulation. To me, asbestos as insulation, especially between the walls, as opposed to styrofoam, would keep buildings much warmer in the winter. As well, it would keep out more heat in the summer, rducing the need for air conditioning. In climates where heavy stone and brick is available for building material, some of this need is reduced, because of the thickness of the material. People should spend more time down the basement in the summer rather than in a room with an air conditioner turned on. Air conditioners use a lot of electricity and fossil fuel as well as furnaces.
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June 21st, 2009 at 1:23 pm
In cold months I close the drain while showering holding all the hot water in the tub to warm the room. Letting the water cool in the tub releases all those BTUs into the house instead of heat energy down the drain.
References :
June 21st, 2009 at 1:40 pm
Turn off and unplug your air conditioner. AC is overrated and a waste of electricity. Do not use corn alcohol in your car though, as more energy from petroleum was used in creating it than is actually contained in the ethanol. Definitely unplug the computer when not in use, those things suck power like crazy even when powered off. Purchase food that is not only organic, but locally grown if there are stores or farmers markets where you live. Locally grown food requires less fuel to transport.
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June 21st, 2009 at 2:28 pm
You can walk or ride a bike to school.
And yes, while organic foods or environmentally friendly products are more expensive, the more people buy, the more the price will come down. Supply and demand. As more people buy organic food, the more the agricultural industry will support and grow organic food. Then, in turn the price will come down because there is more being produced.
References :
Horticulture student
June 24th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
Fantastic post! I will definitely check out the agua-luna website. On the ink cartridge topic, you can recycle the ink cartridges to Office Depot or Office Max, and they’ll actually give you a discount when you purchase new ink cartridges. You will be saving money, saving the earth, and lowering your carbon footprint. We just got a new boiler to lower our carbon footprint!
June 26th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Cheap way to go green? Solar attic fan, its a couple hundred bucks to begin with but considering how much it saves you from having to use your AC all the time it pay off pretty quick, plus there is the tax credit incentive at the end of the year, look into them they are great.