In light of increased awareness and mounting concerns regarding the environment, many people are taking drastic measures to reduce potentially negative impacts on the planet and trying to learn how to be eco friendly. Subscribing to the notion of thinking globally and acting locally, consumers are striving to be more eco friendly in their daily activities in the hopes of reducing pollution and greenhouse emissions and slowing global warming. Many of the tips for living an eco friendly life will not only help save the earth, but will also result in substantial monetary savings.
Recycle and Reuse:
Recycling is one of the easiest eco friendly activities to incorporate into daily living. Many communities even encourage residents to recycle by providing appropriate receptacles for recyclable materials and picking them up with the weekly trash collection. Reusing items as opposed to putting them in the trash is another easily incorporated eco friendly activity. Reuse shopping bags on another shopping trip, or use them to line small wastebaskets instead of buying trash bags. Reuse store-bought packaging, like yogurt containers and glass jars, to store leftover food items.
Conserve:
One of the best ways to learn how to be eco friendly is to learn to conserve energy, water and other natural resources. Energy use can be noticeably reduced by turning off lights in unoccupied rooms, switching to energy efficient bulbs, setting the thermostat just a few degrees lower in winter and unplugging unused appliances. Laundry can be washed in cold water and line dried whenever possible for extra energy savings. Well-insulated homes require less energy to heat and cool, so home owners should invest in quality insulation to prevent excess energy waste.
Water conservation efforts include turning off the water while brushing teeth and shortening the lengths of showers (or even showering together when possible). Avoid running the dishwasher or washing machine for partial loads to reduce water waste. Homeowners can also use buckets to collect rain water to be used watering the lawn or garden. Some household even resort to extremes measures like not flushing the toilet unless it’s absolutely necessary, a slight inconvenience but all part of learning how to be eco friendly.
Reducing the use of natural resources, such as petroleum and paper, is another eco friendly habit. Drive vehicles less, and take public transportation more often. Opt for walking and biking as often as possible, especially for short trips. If driving is a must, choose to drive a hybrid or electric vehicle instead and carpool whenever it makes sense. Petroleum is also used in the production of plastic bottles. Instead of buying disposable plastic water bottles, purchase a refillable bottle that can be used again and again. Water purification devices can be acquired inexpensively at most stores and attached directly to faucets for clean, filtered water right from the tap. Disposable diapers are another product made from petroleum that can be easily substituted for other items. Switching to cloth diapers and potty training as early as possible will drastically reduce the number of diapers that end up in landfills.
Reduce paper consumption by canceling subscriptions to newspapers and getting daily news from an online publication instead. Try to avoid purchasing books and magazines that can borrowed from a friend or the local library instead. Don’t use paper plates unless absolutely necessary, and opt for plates made from 100% post consumer materials whenever possible.
Sustainable Materials:
If you really want to be eco friendly you should strive to purchase household items and clothing made from sustainable materials. Sustainable materials include recycled rubber, cork, hemp and bamboo. Recycled rubber can be used to create soft playing surfaces beneath swing sets and jungle gyms. Cork is used to make eco friendly flooring and household items and is completely biodegradable. Hemp is stronger than cotton and is three times more productive per acre compared to cotton. Hemp does not require the use of pesticides, and is used to create paper, ropes and clothing. Bamboo, although technically classified as a grass, is often used to replace timber in flooring and cabinetry. Bamboo is a naturally antibacterial and anti fungal material, so no chemical treatments are needed, which also makes it healthier. Bamboo grows at a very rapid rate, reaching maturity in 4 years or less, and requires no replanting efforts on the part of farmers. Avoid using Styrofoam products at all costs, because it is not biodegradable and releases harmful chemicals into the atmosphere.
Alternative Energy:
Using alternative energy sources is another thing to think about in your journey of learning how to be eco friendly. Solar power and wind power can be effectively harnessed to provide energy for operating household appliances and other items. The power of the sun can be captured by installing solar panels, or using solar generators during a power outage. Solar power chargers can also be purchased for charging cell phones and other handheld devices. Wind turbines, another viable alternative energy source, convert the kinetic power of the wind in to mechanical energy that is in turn used to produce electricity. Wind turbines are readily available and can be mounted on top of a home to supply power to the household, or even fastened to a boat to power the engine and other on board electronic devices.
Natural Cleansers:
Many household cleaners are made with harsh chemicals, acids and pesticides that are harmful to humans and the environment. Using natural cleansers will prevent chemicals, like bleach and ammonia, from washing down the drain and ultimately contaminating groundwater. Eco-friendly cleansers include common household items, such as vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, kosher salt, oatmeal and ketchup. Vinegar can be used to clean a variety of items. Due to its high level of acidity, vinegar kills the majority of mold, mildew and bacteria. Vinegar is also used for deodorizing and cutting through grease and grime, as well. Baking soda can be mixed with vinegar to unclog drains and garbage disposals, and used on its own to deodorize refrigerators, carpets and clothing. Lemon juice can be used in the bathroom and kitchen to dissolve soap scum and hard water deposits. Kosher salt and oatmeal are effective scrubbing and polishing agents, not only for household surfaces, but for the face as well, and ketchup can be used to polish brass and copper pots, restoring them to their original luster.
