Guest guest Posted November 8, 2007 Report Share Posted November 8, 2007 Easy Ways to Go Green You can be good to the earth — without giving up things you love. Plus, what those eco labels really mean. By Leslie Billera Save money in the bathroom Buy water-efficient showerheads. With low-flow models, a family of four can cut water usage by as much as 280 gallons a month — and yet not feel much difference in water pressure. Two we like: Kohler's Master Shower Eco (kohler.com) and Niagara Conservation's Earth Massage (niagaraconservation.com). Bring home superhero plants Certain greens can help remove indoor air pollutants like formaldehyde and benzene. Don't have the gardening gene? Golden pothos, English ivy, and peace lilies are all easy-to-grow toxin fighters. Recycle rechargeables Cell phones, digital cameras, and camcorders have made these batteries more popular than ever, but in certain states — Florida, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Vermont — it's illegal to throw them away. Wherever you live, you can find a nearby store that will recycle them for you; just go to rbrc.org. Adjust fridge and freezer temps Refrigerators eat up the most electricity in the household. Maximize efficiency by keeping the fridge at 37° F. and the freezer at 0° F. Lighten up with energy savings Consider using compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs). They cost a bit more than regular bulbs, but you'll lower your electric bill and pay less in the long run — CFLs last up to 10 times longer than traditional ones. (Worried that fluorescents will fill your house with a greenish glow? That's no longer a problem. When we compared a regular bulb with a GE Energy Star Qualified CFL, testers couldn't tell the difference.) You can buy CFLs at most hardware and home stores. To save more on lighting, install dimmer switches and use timers, indoors and out. Recycle smart From furniture to electronics, one person's trash is another's treasure — so when you want to dispose of an old item, don't make the dump your first stop. Two sites with alternatives: freecycle.org and earth911.org. Mow-ercise! Today's non-gasoline-powered reel lawn mowers are easier to push than the old models. Their eco-benefit: zero emissions (plus, you're getting great exercise). If you prefer a power mower, consider a quiet, battery-operated model from Black & Decker. Warm up to solar energy You may not be ready for a totally sun-powered home, but you can get a taste of the technology by using solar-powered lighting in your yard or on your patio. We like Malibu's Solar Floodlight (intermatic.com) Go native Plant flowers and shrubs that are well suited to your climate (the staff at your local nursery can help). The benefit: You'll use less fertilizer and pesticides. Buy a laptop It uses considerably less power than a desktop computer. Get off junk mail lists Register with the Direct Marketing Association's Mail Preference Service (dmaconsumers.org) and you'll see a significant reduction in mail after three months. Double up on printing Configure your printer so that it prints on both sides of the page. You know those extra pages you get when printing out one simple email? Turn them over and put them back in the printer for reuse. Invest the green way Environmentally conscious mutual funds are increasingly available through 401(k) plans, especially if employees express interest. To learn more, log on to socialinvest.org; then talk to your benefits administrator. Be picky about produce Download the Shoppers' Guide to Pesticides in Produce at ewg.org. The wallet-size list sorts out the fruits and veggies that tend to be higher in pesticides (like apples and spinach) from produce with a lower count (like bananas and peas). Choose Fair Trade Yuban coffee is Rainforest Alliance Certified (that means it's grown in a way that preserves the ecosystem). A Fair Trade Certified brand is Green Mountain Coffee Roasters. (Both brands are available at many markets.) For more on these certification labels, visit rainforest-alliance.org and transfairusa.org. Support local farms At eatwellguide.org, you can plug in your zip code and find suppliers of organic and sustainably produced meat, poultry, eggs and more. If you buy locally, you won't have to rely on farms that ship food nationwide, which helps to decrease our dependence on oil and to cut back on gas emissions. Tote your own grocery bag Paper or plastic? Neither! If you're shopping for a small load, bring along a cute sack like the polka-dot tote from Cath Kidston (cathkidston.com). Another practical option: the ACME Workhorse Style 1500 (reusablebags.com), which crunches into a tiny pouch that fits in your purse. Pay attention to packaging Every American produces about four and a half pounds of garbage a day. So before you buy something, eyeball the amount of cardboard, plastic, and/or other materials used for the box or wrapping. Wal-Mart is one big retailer that is waking up to the problem: The chain is replacing petroleum-based plastic containers with corn-based packaging for precut fruit, herbs, strawberries, and Brussels sprouts. Become a flexitarian Swap out one meat dish a week for a veggie plate. Why? Because raising produce is " cheaper, " in terms of energy, than raising animals. Log on to vegweb.com to find tasty, meatless recipes (our favorite: the lentil burgers). Grill corn in its husk Instead of stripping off the green leaves, soak the ear whole, then place it right on the barbecue — no aluminum foil required Goddess Bless! GrannyMoon The GoddessSchool Bookstore http://astore.amazon.com/ancestordetect08/ " Do not ask Goddess to guide your footsteps if you are not willing to move your feet! " ~GoddessSchool.com Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.15.23/1113 - Release 11/6/2007 10:04 AM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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