Six days until Earth Day! Here are some of your ways of celebrating:
Support:
Charity Miles (charitymiles.org): Okay, so this one is pretty exciting. Hannah writes: "So I just downloaded this app called Charity Miles to my phone (
http://www.charitymiles.org/ Android and iPhone) that gives you the option of doing green things while also increasing your life expectancy and while possibly being green by commuting in a non-gasoline or electricity sort of way. If you use the app to track when you walk, bike, or run, it will donate a certain amount of money (depending on the type of exercise) to the charity you choose. There are a ton of different ones; the ones that most closely relate to the environment and the earth are the Nature Conservancy, Nothing but Nets, and the ASPCA. One thing to remember - you need to set the app to track you when you start your exercise - you can't just sit on the exercise bike at the gym and then try to enter in that you just rode 11 miles. I tried that and wasn't able to do it. But if you tell it you've started and then click back when you're done, it will allow you to make your calorie burning count, so long as you share what you did with friends on Facebook or Twitter." I love this idea! I have very few apps on my phone, because I am an 80-year-old technophobe at heart, but I'll definitely get this one.
Toilet Dams: Flushing toilets use up far more water than is actually needed to do the job. However, toilet dams can save up to a gallon of water per flush. There seem to be many models, but check out the one at
usalandlord.com/toiletdam.html. They have a bunch of other conservation products listed in the sidebar. Cheap and efficient - definitely a great find! I had never heard of these before, but I'm glad I have now.
Green Edge Supply (greenedgesupply.com): Another home improvement/development site! All of these great projects make me wish I were a homeowner, which is such a grown up desire that it weirds me out. Elizabeth says: "They also issue a 'green living' blog with simple tips (turn video game consoles off)! There are some useful things for the home-building-illiterate like me: ideal temperature for setting your refrigerator and good stuff like that."
Everyday Living: Use cold water: So much of our everyday energy usage is linked to hot water. Therefore, cutting your hot water consumption is one of the number one things you can do as an average citizen to shrink your carbon footprint. We highlighted Seventh Generation laundry detergent several weeks ago, and there are many other brands, like Tide Cold Water, that are specifically designed to be highly efficient in cold washes. Most clothes absolutely don't need to be washed in hot or even warm water. Another way to cut hot water usage is to take shorter showers, which I'm working on - I know that's a hard one! But even a few minutes off of your time can make a world of difference.
Keep toilet flappers current: Since water and toilets seem to be a theme this week, make sure you don't have a running toilet! If you hear it start to flush itself, you might need a new flapper. They're sold everywhere, including Home Depot, and are quite cheap (under $10).
Last toilet entry, I swear - Use most efficient toilet: If you have multiple bathrooms, one of your toilets may use less water than the other. Check out the tank size for a good indicator. Also, newer toilets are typically more efficient than older ones.
Make your fruit last longer: Grocery stores often seem to package food in quantities greater than one person can eat before it goes bad. Here's a way to make your produce last longer, which will cut both food and packaging waste (since you'll have to buy it less often). This tip had to do with strawberries, but I'm assuming it works for other fruit, as well. Add one tablespoon of white vinegar to a bowl of water, submerge fruit for about a minute, and then dry thoroughly. The vinegar kills bacteria, which stops mold from growing. (After the last few weeks, white vinegar is clearly a green household must-have!)
Buy as little packaging as possible: Contrary to many companies' belief, every serving of food does not need to be individually packaged. Buy bulk or loose food products as often as you can. I've been doing this for a year now, and it's a lot easier than you think to limit your packaged food intake. It often turns out much cheaper, too! For bulk items, you can often bring your own containers, as well.
Cut yard work energy: If you have a yard to tend to (she writes from her apartment. Someday, though!), then try to avoid using gas-powered lawn mowers, leaf blowers, and trimmers. Obviously the greenest way to take care of leaves in your yard is with a rake! If that's impossible, though, invest in an electric mower with rechargeable battery instead of a gas-powered one.
What to do if you forget your reusable bags?: Studies have shown that by themselves, plastic and paper bags are about as environmentally unfriendly as each other. However, the impact can be mitigated by how you're going to use the bags you get. Don't just throw them away! Plastic can be used as small garbage bags in bathrooms, and paper can be used to collect recycling (and they can also be recycled themselves). Paper bags also have the benefit of being used as wrapping paper or craft materials. Tracy says: "My boyfriend uses one to cover the sink when he shaves so his beard hairs don't clog up the drain!"
Compost: This isn't feasible for everyone, depending upon your living situation, but if you've got a bit of space, time, and money, composting can be a great way to get rid of your organic waste. Check out
wholefoodsmarket.com/blog/home-composting-get-right-bin?sf11642780=1 to see what option could work for you!
Dispose of lead-acid batteries responsibly: Patti says: "It's illegal to dispose of lead-acid (vehicle) batteries in the trash. Stores selling lead-acid batteries must accept, free of charge, up to two used batteries per month from any individual and must post a sign stating they accept batteries for recycling."
Earth Day:
It's less than a week away, but why confine your efforts to April 20? Special thanks to John of Viridian Energy (
viridian.com) for letting us know about Viridian's Earth Month events at
liveviridian.com/site/id/earthmonth2013.asp. I'll be putting up little posts throughout the week about local Earth Day events, including the ones on this list. Please let me know if you'll be doing anything, too!
