Despite the fear of sounding sanctimonious and/or preaching to the choir, I decided to make a list of ways I’m trying to reduce my carbon footprint with my daily habits. I post it hoping you have tips to add or see a new one to try.
Reuse all plastic bags that come along, at least one more time.
Forget disposable containers; reuse takeout ones.
Bring own tote bag to stores.
Use the back of paper for scrap and printing. Buy recycled paper.
Set up electronic billing.
Compost coffee grounds, tea bags, egg shells, vegetable, and fruit remainders.
Recycle computer equipment—Staples has a program.
Shop Craigslist and thrift shops.
Hang laundry out to air dry.
Make a catch-all soup for left over vegetables.
Cut meat consumption.
Buy local, free range and/or organic.
Use reusable stainless containers for coffee and water.
One pot meals save energy in cooking and water in cleaning
Steam vegetables while boiling water for pasta.
Use less water to boil pasta.
Reuse bathwater and reduce shower time.
Don’t run water while washing face, dishes, or brushing teeth.
White vinegar, baking soda, Epsom salt are our friends for cleaning and gardening.
Use the public library.
Pass books, magazines, clothes, toys, shoes along to others.
Turn off cell phones and computers at night. Unplug chargers when not needed.
Put electronics on power strip for easy to shut off.
CFL bulbs in most fixtures.
Use fridge to store batteries for longer life.
Dispose of batteries properly or use rechargeable.
Use eco-friendly paint, cleansers, and laundry detergent.
Have water source and bird houses for migrating birds.
Plant indigenous and drought-resistant plants. And what’s a lawn anyway?
Make less laundry by reusing towels and clothes.
Forget paper towels, paper plates, plastic cups and plastic utensils.
Scrape plates to avoid rinsing before putting it in the dishwasher.
Consider purchase beforehand—how often will I use it, how long will it last?
What I haven’t mastered yet is carpooling—maybe next year.
Reuse all plastic bags that come along, at least one more time.
Forget disposable containers; reuse takeout ones.
Bring own tote bag to stores.
Use the back of paper for scrap and printing. Buy recycled paper.
Set up electronic billing.
Compost coffee grounds, tea bags, egg shells, vegetable, and fruit remainders.
Recycle computer equipment—Staples has a program.
Shop Craigslist and thrift shops.
Hang laundry out to air dry.
Make a catch-all soup for left over vegetables.
Cut meat consumption.
Buy local, free range and/or organic.
Use reusable stainless containers for coffee and water.
One pot meals save energy in cooking and water in cleaning
Steam vegetables while boiling water for pasta.
Use less water to boil pasta.
Reuse bathwater and reduce shower time.
Don’t run water while washing face, dishes, or brushing teeth.
White vinegar, baking soda, Epsom salt are our friends for cleaning and gardening.
Use the public library.
Pass books, magazines, clothes, toys, shoes along to others.
Turn off cell phones and computers at night. Unplug chargers when not needed.
Put electronics on power strip for easy to shut off.
CFL bulbs in most fixtures.
Use fridge to store batteries for longer life.
Dispose of batteries properly or use rechargeable.
Use eco-friendly paint, cleansers, and laundry detergent.
Have water source and bird houses for migrating birds.
Plant indigenous and drought-resistant plants. And what’s a lawn anyway?
Make less laundry by reusing towels and clothes.
Forget paper towels, paper plates, plastic cups and plastic utensils.
Scrape plates to avoid rinsing before putting it in the dishwasher.
Consider purchase beforehand—how often will I use it, how long will it last?
What I haven’t mastered yet is carpooling—maybe next year.
2 comments:
This is a very nice list and very ambitious not at all redundant. All of us can work on reducing. One of the areas on your list that I have managed 100% of the time is air drying our families laundry. I use clothes drying racks. There are four of us including one teen age girl who has decided that she can not be seen in the same outfit two times in the same day. So as soon as she gets home from school in the laundry it goes. So she can wear something else before going out. I have learned that I can often simply air out some of her clothes on the rack without even washing them and she never knows they smell fresh and they last much longer as well.
I do the same thing-- most of my work clothes just need a dose of fresh air. Thanks for the comment!
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