subject: 5 Green Living Tips That You Can Implement Today [print this page] 5 Green Living Tips That You Can Implement Today
If you're concerned about the environment and would like to reduce your carbon footprint, it's essential that you start making changes to your lifestyle. But you don't necessarily have to live in a cave with no electricity and bike 60 miles to work every day to create change. These 5 green living tips are simple, require little effort, and can be implemented right away.
1. Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs
Compact fluorescent light bulbs use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and they last ten times longer. Not only will you reduce your electricity use and greenhouse gas emission by switching to compact fluorescent bulbs, you'll also save 30% on your energy bill.
2. Keep your car well-maintained
If possible, stop driving to work altogether and bike, carpool, walk, or take mass transit to get to work. If you absolutely need your car to commute, however, just make sure that it's well-maintained. By changing your car's oil and air filters on a regular basis and keeping your tires properly inflated, you will dramatically improve your vehicle's fuel efficiency so that it burns less fuel on your commutes.
3. Wash clothes in cold water and hang dry them
Use cold water to wash clothes and hang dry them outside to save electricity. Hang drying clothes outside also helps your clothes last longer because it doesn't cause fading and shrinking like dryers do.
4. Buy used products
Buying new products is a green living no-no because of the energy required to manufacture and ship new products. Anytime you need to buy something, whether it's a couch, bicycle, or computer, buy it used. Good places to find used products include thrift stores, newspaper classifieds, online classifieds, and yard sales. In addition to its environmental benefits, buying used also saves you a significant amount of money.
5. Buy local food products
Buy food that has been produced locally and avoid imported products. Greenhouse gases are emitted to ship foods to faraway places, so buy local when possible.
