Become An Eco-Friendly Maniac: 11 Ways You & I Can Protect Our Lovely Earth
Loving our planet and doing eco-friendly tasks shouldn’t be celebrated just ONE day a year!
You should try practicing being good to planet Earth throughout year. It can be easy with some of the tips and advice I’ve put together for you. Now, I can admit that I have not always been the biggest 'planeteer.'
Before embracing my eco-friendly tendencies, I would leave lights on carelessly… kept things plugged into walls for days or weeks without really needing to use the appliance …and tended to take 20 to 30 minute showers when I could have been done in half the time.
However, since reading news stories about how our daily actions can impact our planet, I decided to change. I especially decided to change after receiving enough high gas and electricity bills. I have come to realize that there truly is a better way to live and better way to treat our amazing Earth.
Here are my tips on how to become an ECO-FRIEDNLY MANIAC!
11 TIPS ON HOW TO BECOME AN ECO-FRIENDLY MANIAC
1. CARPOOL or BIKE RIDE
This should be a no brainer. Less cars on the road means less carbon emissions and people using up gas. Carpool and gossip with friends to save our planet from unhealthy toxins in the air, and save on gas money too by having everyone pitch in per ride!
Or even better – ride your bike! You will not have to worry about paying for gas or emissions, and you may even be able to ride past bumper-to-bumper car traffic.
Don't be lazy! Turn off your lights and appliances when you aren't using them. Don't waste electricity! (Photo: Ratchanida Thippayos, iStockphoto/ Thinkstock)
2. TURN OFF YOUR COMPUTER (and OTHER ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES)
If you’re not using something, then why have it turned on? You can save energy and wear and tear on your laptop, PC, television, microwave, and more by simply turning it off, shutting it down, and unplugging it. Additionally, you could save up to $90 on electricity a year by just shutting your computer down when you're not using it!
3. REUSABLE SHOPPING BAGS
Using reusable shopping bags can help hinder the pollution of plastic bags. Take a look at the Great Pacific Garbage Patch to get inspired on taking your own bags to the grocery store.
4. SWITCH TO COMPACT FLUORESCENT BULBS OR LED BULBS
The California Energy Commission reports that lighting can make up to 25 percent of the average home’s electricity consumption. Switch your incandescent light bulbs to ultra efficient compact fluorescent bulbs, and you’ll see a major difference in your home and electricity bill!
Walmart and other stores sell these bulbs at about 2 bucks a pop AND they generally last up to seven years each! LED bulbs last even longer, use even less energy, and have recently begun to shine brighter and cost less too. These bulbs provide double the savings – for the environment and for your budget!
5. LOW-FLOW SHOWER HEADS
Now don’t let the name fool you. Low-flow shower heads don’t reduce your shower to a few sprinkles. You can enjoy a high pressure shower while also saving water at the same time with an eco-friendly shower head.
Drury: "If you see garbage on the ground, don't just look at it. Take the time to pick it up." (Photo: Fuse/ Thinkstock)
9. STOP JUNK MAIL
Nearly 100 million trees and 28 billion gallons of water are used to send junk mail to Americans every year, according to greendimes.com. You can stop a majority of your unsolicited mail by registering on the Mail Preference Service on the Direct Marketing Association website (for a fee of $1). Most unsolicited mail will stop within 90 days.
10. PAY BILLS ONLINE
Save paper and avoid late fees by enrolling in online bill-paying. Paperless billing saves trees (the trees thank you!!) and eliminates the need of cars driving around wasting fossil fuel to get those envelopes to you, and for you to send them back!
11. HELP PICK UP TRASH
If you see garbage on the ground, don't just look at it. Take the time to pick it up (of course, with gloves), and then throw it away. Think about just how clean the Earth would be if we all took the time to pick up trash within our communities. Don't underestimate the difference that you can make.
Don't be lazy! Turn off your lights and appliances when you aren't using them. Don't waste electricity! (Photo: Ratchanida Thippayos, iStockphoto/ Thinkstock)
2. TURN OFF YOUR COMPUTER (and OTHER ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES)
If you’re not using something, then why have it turned on? You can save energy and wear and tear on your laptop, PC, television, microwave, and more by simply turning it off, shutting it down, and unplugging it. Additionally, you could save up to $90 on electricity a year by just shutting your computer down when you're not using it!
3. REUSABLE SHOPPING BAGS
Using reusable shopping bags can help hinder the pollution of plastic bags. Take a look at the Great Pacific Garbage Patch to get inspired on taking your own bags to the grocery store.
4. SWITCH TO COMPACT FLUORESCENT BULBS OR LED BULBS
The California Energy Commission reports that lighting can make up to 25 percent of the average home’s electricity consumption. Switch your incandescent light bulbs to ultra efficient compact fluorescent bulbs, and you’ll see a major difference in your home and electricity bill!
Walmart and other stores sell these bulbs at about 2 bucks a pop AND they generally last up to seven years each! LED bulbs last even longer, use even less energy, and have recently begun to shine brighter and cost less too. These bulbs provide double the savings – for the environment and for your budget!
5. LOW-FLOW SHOWER HEADS
Now don’t let the name fool you. Low-flow shower heads don’t reduce your shower to a few sprinkles. You can enjoy a high pressure shower while also saving water at the same time with an eco-friendly shower head.
Another benefit? You save water AND energy! The California Efficiency Partnership says that about 73 percent of the water you use in your shower is hot water. Thus, using a lot of energy to heat that water. The use of low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators can reduce your water heating costs by around to 50 percent! Learn more about low-flow shower heads here.
6. WASH LAUNDRY IN COLD WATER Turn the dial on your washing machine to COLD. Most loads don’t even need hot water, and like I mentioned above, hot water means you’re using more energy. The higher the water temperature, the higher the cost to you and the planet. 7. SIGN UP FOR GREEN ENERGY You have the option to purchase GREEN power. Find out how you can buy it by visiting the Department of Energy’s state-by-state list of providers. You can also check with your own utility provider to see what’s available.
Drury: "If you see garbage on the ground, don't just look at it. Take the time to pick it up." (Photo: Fuse/ Thinkstock)
9. STOP JUNK MAIL
Nearly 100 million trees and 28 billion gallons of water are used to send junk mail to Americans every year, according to greendimes.com. You can stop a majority of your unsolicited mail by registering on the Mail Preference Service on the Direct Marketing Association website (for a fee of $1). Most unsolicited mail will stop within 90 days.
10. PAY BILLS ONLINE
Save paper and avoid late fees by enrolling in online bill-paying. Paperless billing saves trees (the trees thank you!!) and eliminates the need of cars driving around wasting fossil fuel to get those envelopes to you, and for you to send them back!
11. HELP PICK UP TRASH
If you see garbage on the ground, don't just look at it. Take the time to pick it up (of course, with gloves), and then throw it away. Think about just how clean the Earth would be if we all took the time to pick up trash within our communities. Don't underestimate the difference that you can make.