Green Tips
Tips on How to Shop & Buy Green:
Be sure to look at all aspects of the product when deciding whether the item is green or not. There are a lot of claims of being green, but it must be remembered that there are many levels of green. While all might be green in some way, some products are less green than others. With this in mind here are some guidelines that can help you buy green:
Tip 1: Try to only buy products that use recyclable
materials. As there isn’t a universal standard in what constitutes a “green
product” always check the label to see what materials are used.
Tip 2: Replace your light bulbs with compact
fluorescent light bulbs if you have not already done so. This should
significantly lower energy consumption & decrease electrical costs.
Tip 3: Purchase EnergyStar rated battery chargers.
This can help reduce energy consumption 35%.
Tip 4: Consider buying foods locally. Shop around
your local grocery stores & look for sections devoted to local foods. Bear
in mind that not all local foods are within an ordinary budget and that local
food does not guarantee organic products. Also be sure to research the locale of the produce. An item produced hundreds of miles from your residence is not local, it is regional.
Tip 5: If you have a baby, or plan on having one, you
may wish to consider using cloth diapers. To avoid the cleaning process you can
sign up for a diaper service and let them take care of the dirty work.
Tip 6: There are a wide variety of eco-friendly
health products. A good idea is to look for organic products which have
received the USDA Organic Certification.
Tip 7: Use eco-friendly holistic products.
Tip 8: Consider a hybrid vehicle. Alternatives are
choosing fuel efficient vehicles over SUVs. If our parents didn't have a problem with smaller vehicles why should we?
Tip 9: Reuse plastics. If you buy a water bottle, reuse it. The amount of waste involved with plastic items such as water bottles & shopping bags is catastrophic & easily avoided. Avoid buying bottled water. If you must, then reuse everything at least once. If you reuse it at least once you’ve already halved your output of this wasteful material.
Tip 10: Apply the reuse principle for plastics to other materials such as glass bottles and you will reduce waste & energy consumption needed for recycling considerably.
Green Tips on How to Reduce Your Pollution Signature
Tip 11: Car pooling is a great way to lower your
pollution signature and help relieve the burden of the daily commute. Find
other commuters in your area using online services. Consider a car sharing services & of
course more standardized means of public transportation.
Tip 12: If the option is available, ride a bike, walk,
or rollerblade to work or wherever it is you are going. Each is good for the
body & can save you money as well as help save our planet.
Tip 13: Composting is great for limiting waste &
for the creation of a wonderful garden.
You can easily start a compost in your back yard or roof. You can make a
nice garden to supplement grocery shopping, saving you money & guaranteeing
fresh vegetables for your meals.
Tip 14: Be conscious of your environment. Remember to
turn off the lights when you leave the room. Turn off other devices such as
TVs, DVDs, computers, etc. Unplug phone chargers when not in use.
Tip 15: Recycle everything you can. Magazines, newspapers,
periodicals & supplements should all be recycled whenever possible.
Tip 16: Buy Ebooks, No one should ever say no to buying
books, but when possible purchase electronic books, or go to your library
instead.
Tip 17: Value the water you use. Try all methods to
reduce the consumption of water. Do not run the water while brushing teeth, do
not run faucet continuously while washing dishes, wash dishes manually, limit
car washes, limit shower time, etc. Water is a most precious commodity & we
must be conscious of our use of water at all times.
Tip 18: Donate clothes & other goods to charity.
A good deed for others & for the earth.
Tip 19: Limit the paper. Consider reading your
newspaper & magazines online. Switch to electronic banking and credit card
payment, too. Eliminate paper statements being sent to your home, & with
them the uncounted advertisements found in each one.
Tip 20: Build Green. When planning new renovations or a new home think green. Do the research & consult to find affordable green solutions for your home or office.
Tip 21:Dispose Properly. Research disposal methods of items such as light bulbs & batteries to ensure these items do not end up in landfills. Mercury in light bulbs, including eco-friendly ones, can be harmful to the environment.
Got a green tip you didn't see here? Let us know at tips@forevergreengifts.net.