Tips for Having a Greener 2014
Every year, millions of people make New Year’s resolutions that are almost impossible to accomplish. This year, if you’d like to be a bit more environmentally conscious it only takes a few small changes to make a big impact.
Ditch the water bottles. It’s so easy to go buy a bottle of water when you’re thirsty, but there’s really no need to waste your money or the environment. Tap water is safe to drink, but if it doesn’t taste that great, you can always find a cheap way to filter your water. There are water filtration pitchers or filters for your faucet for less than $50. Just think of all the money you’ll save over the year if you just filter your own tap water and keep them in reusable bottles.
Avoid the coffee shop. Brew your own coffee at home instead of stopping at a coffee shop and getting a disposable cup and sleeve. Plus, you can enjoy your coffee at the very beginning of your daily commute instead of having to make a special trip to buy a coffee. You might even be able to sleep in a few extra minutes, too.
Cut back on your paper usage. Try not to use paper, unless you really have to. Paper towels may be convenient, but they add up to a lot of waste; try using kitchen towels instead. At work, don’t print out emails. Even if you need them for a meeting, you can save important emails in a folder and pull them up on your computer, tablet, or phone anytime. And, you won’t have to worry about losing any precious email.
Change those light bulbs. We all have the need for light bulbs, but some are better than others. CFL (compact fluorescent) bulbs use close to 75 percent less energy than the incandescent bulbs that most of us have in our homes. If you think fluorescent light is harsh, think again. CFL bulbs are now available in softer light.
Avoid the coffee shop. Brew your own coffee at home instead of stopping at a coffee shop and getting a disposable cup and sleeve. Plus, you can enjoy your coffee at the very beginning of your daily commute instead of having to make a special trip to buy a coffee. You might even be able to sleep in a few extra minutes, too.
Reuse. It doesn’t take much effort to reuse a few things around the house. Spaghetti sauce jars and other glass containers can make great canisters for flour, sugar, or even screws and nails. If you want to get organized this year, reusing glass or plastic jars can be a great and inexpensive way to do so. And remember, take your reusable bags when going to the grocery store.
Donate. We all get lots of new things for Christmas. And if you’re throwing out the old to make room for the new, don’t throw your clothes, towels, or other reusable items in the trash. Donate them to local homeless shelters, churches, or any place that accepts donations.
These are only a few tips to help you get started on having a greener lifestyle. You can also try composting, biking instead of driving a car, and more. With just a few steps in the right direction, you can make your carbon footprint a little smaller.
Posted by Lindsay Page on Dec 27, 2013