5 Simple Tips for Going ‘Green’ Inside Your Home
1. Start Recycling
I would like to believe that everybody is recycling by now, but I know it’s not true. Recycling really is an easy thing to do. Save your plastic, aluminum and steel, and put it out by the curb in a separate container once a week or drop it off at the closest recycling facility. The long-term benefits of recycling should be all the motivation you need.
Every city has different regulations as to what they will pick up for recycling. Be sure to call and find out what exactly you’re allowed to recycle, in order to avoid any confusion.
If you have young children, you can make recycling a game and teach them the benefits of conserving. Don’t just limit your recycling to your home either. Buy recycled products. Look for the labels that will indicate a carton has been made from recycled materials. Buy your children recycled paper notepads for their schoolwork. Learn what the recycling symbols on plastic mean, and only buy products that can be recycled.
2. Use Environmentally Friendly Detergents
The laundry detergent you use is very important. As a matter of fact over 95% of all detergents contain toxic chemicals or by-products. Though the variety of toxic detergents — for dishes, clothes, etc — has always been many, with the green craze, we now have companies developing environmentally-safe, organic laundry detergent and organic dishwashing liquid. By using organic products, even if you are unable to capture the water out of your sinks or washing machine, the water that gets away will still do the least possible harm to the environment.
And while we’re on the subject of washing clothes, think about giving your clothes a cold wash. More often than not, your clothes will get nice and clean even if you don’t have the water heated.
3. Turn Off Electricity When Not In Use
I feel as if some of these tips are very redundant, and the fact that they still bear mentioning is frustrating. But in this day and age of computers and everything else electronic, maybe the information is still a bit vague.
Turn off your computer when you are not using it. Those fans that keep it from overheating take up a lot of energy.
Turn off the lights when you’re leaving a room. Do you really need a light on in your bedroom when you’re in the kitchen or living room?
Want to keep warm during winter? Put on socks or a sweater instead of turning up the heater.
When possible, avoid using the clothes dryer. Hang clothes up, either outside or inside, either way you won’t be using electricity to dry your clothes.
If you’re in the market for new appliances, make sure you get one with the Energy Star sticker on it. They’re more efficient, and they will last longer. Therefore, they stay out of landfills and save you from having to go buy another one in a few years.
4. Start Saving Water
One of the biggest things in Australia at the moment is the need to save water. They are going through a terrible period of drought, and are seeing dams and reservoirs drop in levels each summer. They are now saving water in whatever way possible. But regardless of where you are, saving water is a good way to play your part for the environment.
Saving water can be really easy as well. One of the easiest and cheapest ways involves lots of buckets. Buckets in the shower, buckets by the sink, buckets for shaving, buckets outside to catch rain. These buckets can then go to water the garden or fill up your toilet tank.
5. Use Energy Efficient Light
Many homes and offices have now made the switch to energy efficient CFL’s. While CFL’s are definitely more efficient and “greener” than the traditional incandescent light-bulb, I am still cautious of the use of fluorescent lighting.
Fluorescent lighting has been linked to a wide range of symptoms and illnesses. Researchers have found[1] that exposure to fluorescent lights at night can disrupt the body’s circadian rhythm and another found that fluorescent lighting can increase the likelihood of developing certain cancers [2]. This is especially troubling for anyone that have to work for extended periods every day under this type of lighting. Exposure to fluorescent lights has also been linked to an increase in stress hormones [3].
And while we’re on the subject of washing clothes, think about giving your clothes a cold wash. More often than not, your clothes will get nice and clean even if you don’t have the water heated.
3. Turn Off Electricity When Not In Use
I feel as if some of these tips are very redundant, and the fact that they still bear mentioning is frustrating. But in this day and age of computers and everything else electronic, maybe the information is still a bit vague.
Turn off your computer when you are not using it. Those fans that keep it from overheating take up a lot of energy.
Turn off the lights when you’re leaving a room. Do you really need a light on in your bedroom when you’re in the kitchen or living room?
Want to keep warm during winter? Put on socks or a sweater instead of turning up the heater.
When possible, avoid using the clothes dryer. Hang clothes up, either outside or inside, either way you won’t be using electricity to dry your clothes.
If you’re in the market for new appliances, make sure you get one with the Energy Star sticker on it. They’re more efficient, and they will last longer. Therefore, they stay out of landfills and save you from having to go buy another one in a few years.
4. Start Saving Water
One of the biggest things in Australia at the moment is the need to save water. They are going through a terrible period of drought, and are seeing dams and reservoirs drop in levels each summer. They are now saving water in whatever way possible. But regardless of where you are, saving water is a good way to play your part for the environment.
Saving water can be really easy as well. One of the easiest and cheapest ways involves lots of buckets. Buckets in the shower, buckets by the sink, buckets for shaving, buckets outside to catch rain. These buckets can then go to water the garden or fill up your toilet tank.
5. Use Energy Efficient Light
Many homes and offices have now made the switch to energy efficient CFL’s. While CFL’s are definitely more efficient and “greener” than the traditional incandescent light-bulb, I am still cautious of the use of fluorescent lighting.
Fluorescent lighting has been linked to a wide range of symptoms and illnesses. Researchers have found[1] that exposure to fluorescent lights at night can disrupt the body’s circadian rhythm and another found that fluorescent lighting can increase the likelihood of developing certain cancers [2]. This is especially troubling for anyone that have to work for extended periods every day under this type of lighting. Exposure to fluorescent lights has also been linked to an increase in stress hormones [3].
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