When buying a new shower curtain, purchase a cotton one—it can be washed rather than thrown away.
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When it comes to keeping your plants and flowers healthy, a sprinkler system isn't necessary. Try a drip irrigation system instead. It’s about 90 percent efficient, compared to between 65 and 75 percent for sprinklers. That means that 90 percent of the water gets to where your plants can use it.
Next time you’re ready to dive into a new book, turn to the library rather than a bookstore. You’ll be conserving the paper and energy used to create a new book—plus you’ll save a little money in the process.
Have a few old towels lying around? Donate them to a local animal shelter. You’ll be giving a dog (or cat) a soft place to rest.
Cooking with vegetable broth or chicken stock makes for great tasting rice and pasta, but the leftover liquid also makes an ideal base for soups. So instead of simply pouring what’s left down the drain, use it as a shortcut to your next meal. If you’re not much of a chef, use the excess liquid to water your plants—it’s full of nutrients they’ll love.
When it comes to purchasing pots and pans for the kitchen, it’s best not to skimp on quality. Glass and ceramic cookware cost a little more, but they heat up faster and allow you to set the temperature about 25 degrees lower without adding additional cooking time. The reason? Glass and ceramic pots and pans conduct and retain heat better than their metal counterparts. That means you can cook food with less energy and for less money.
Switch off your stovetop or oven a few minutes before your food is completely cooked. The residual heat will continue cooking your food until it’s ready. It may not seem like you’re saving much, but the dollars add up.
This barbecue season, grill a few ears of corn on the cob the old-fashioned way—and skip the aluminum foil. Soak the corn under water for 15 minutes; then place it right on the grill. The excess moisture provides all the steam you need for cooking.
Take a cue from books, magazines and newspapers and configure your printer so it prints on both sides. And that extra page that ends up getting tossed every time you print an email? Turn it over and put it back in the printer. If your printer doesn’t allow you to print on both sides, use the back to jot down to-do lists or as a blank canvas for doodling.
Usually, we don't even think about it. As we brush our teeth, we let the water from the faucet run. But, did you know that this can waste up to four gallons of water a minute? Not to worry, this problem couldn't be easier to fix—simply turn off the faucet so that it doesn't run while you're brushing your teeth.
Whether it's running to the grocery store or picking up clothes from the dry cleaners, life is filled with errands. But, you can make less of an impact on the environment by consolidating your errands into one trip. You'll drive less and use less fuel.
Reuse packing peanuts in your container gardens. They're light and airy enough to allow for drainage—and mixing them in with potting soil reduces its weight and makes it much easier to move large potted plants. To find out where you can recycle your peanuts, call the Plastic Loose Fill Council's Peanut Hotline at 800-828-2214.
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When it comes to morning coffee at the office (or on the way to the office), stay away from that white paper cup. Bring your own mug, instead. Using a washable commuter mug for your morning coffee will eliminate many plastic or foam cups each year.
Next time you go grocery shopping, bring more than just your shopping list. Bring your own reusable bags, too. After all, paper and plastic bags just create more waste. Check with your local grocery store to see if they sell reusable bags. You can also find them for sale online.
You probably already know that recycling items like used cans and paper can reduce waste. But, it's also a good idea to be on the receiving end of recycling too. When purchasing for your home, look for items that use recycled materials. You'll be able to reduce the impact on the planet—and feel good doing it.
Often times, energy is sneaking away when you don't even realize it. Many gadgets, electronic devices and appliances draw power even when they're switched off or not in use—just by being plugged in. These items include chargers for cell phones, VCRs, televisions, stereos, computers, and kitchen appliances. As you make your way through your home, look for devices not currently in use and unplug them.
A programmable thermostat can make all the difference. Set it to reduce the temperature after you leave the house and have it increase the temperature 30 minutes before you arrive. After all, there's no need to heat your home when you're not there. It'll seem like your home is always warm, yet you'll be able to conserve quite a bit of energy.
Did you know that curtains can help keep your home warm during winter? They help block the cool air that can sneak in through your closed windows. They also help prevent heat from escaping through windows. So, as the temperature drops, keep your curtains closed whenever possible—you'll be able to conserve energy.
Can't decide what you want out of the fridge? Try not to think about it for too long. For each minute the refrigerator is open it can take three energy-intensive minutes to get it cooled back down. Can't find what you're looking for? Try to keep your refrigerator organized so that you can find things quickly. The longer you spend searching, the longer your refrigerator door remains open.
Don't toss those colorful candy wrappers! Use them to make a clutch and matching wallet—perfect for a little girl or even yourself. Collect candy wrappers and packaging from your favorite sweets. Carefully cut open the bags or unwrap the pieces of candy, so that you have the maximum surface area and the wrappers and packaging lie flat.
If you're like most of us, your closet is probably filled with old favorites you can't bear to throw away. So give them new life by stitching them into a quilt, a pillow, an apron or even a new piece of clothing. Get started by weeding through your old duds and snipping away usable pieces. You can use the scrap pieces as cleaning cloths.
Food-related junk pots allow the viewer to make a connection between the food and the earth it comes from. Try planting grapes in a wine carton. Wooden office drawers or pigeonhole shelves make a lovely showcase for displaying small plants. Leave some compartments empty to offset the design.
Did you know that there are now readily available flowers grown the old-fashioned way—with healthy soil and plenty of TLC? These flowers are as pretty and as fresh as the ones that you may be used to buying, and by choosing them you're helping to protect the planet while brightening up your home. Whenever possible, look in your local supermarket or florist for blooms that are VeriFlora®-certified. VeriFlora® is a program that certifies that flowers have been grown in an environmentally responsible way, while still providing the freshness and quality that you'd want to display.
Getting more mileage from a tank of gasoline helps not only our environment but also your wallet. To maximize your miles per gallon, start by clearing out any stuff in your trunk that can weigh down your car. Tires should be properly inflated and your air filter regularly cleaned. Keep your windows up when driving on the highway to avoid drag—if it's cool enough outside, use flow-through ventilation. Drive at a smooth, even speed and avoid sudden starts and stops. Don't let your car idle for more than a couple minutes because it takes less gas to restart your car than it does to let it idle. And do consider carpooling, where possible.
Whenever possible, wash clothes when you have a full load—you could save hundreds of gallons of water each month. When you do need to wash a smaller load, always match the water level to the size of the load. That way, you won't use more water than you need. You'll be washing your clothes without the waste.
Be sure to teach your children to turn faucets off tightly after each use. Even adults sometimes forget to turn faucets all the way (especially when in a rush). Just a small drip can cause many gallons to go to waste.