Tips for Families Going Green
Living Green isn’t as difficult and expensive as many people think. Here are a few simple things your family can do to ‘Go Green,’ and preserve our environment and natural resources in the process.
Recycle - Children can easily learn to throw their plastic, bottles, and paper into designated bins. Make a game out of it – take them to a thrift store and find some funky containers to serve as your recycle bins. Place the bins in accessible places so children are more likely to use them. Talk with them about the threat to our natural resources if we continue adding waste and using resources, even if you think they’re too young to “get it.” Eventually, they will get it! Make sure you check your local municipality to find out exactly which products can be recycled. If your area doesn’t recycle particular things you use, consider finding a friend who would be willing to take your recyclable containers and put them out with their recycling, or find a local school or church that has a recycling program. Some large health food chains have collection bins for products that local municipalities typically do not recycle.
Keep your eyes and ears open for local recycling programs to recycle things like paint, batteries, computers, other electronics, etc. You can typically find these programs listed on your local news station sites, and at local “big box” electronic store sites.
Consider offering your used (working) appliances to women’s shelters and churches that will donate the appliances to needy people. Sometimes these programs will take appliances that aren’t working, fix them, and then donate them.
Don’t throw away old clothing. Go to your local elementary school or a local church or synagogue, and inquire about families in need. Or take your used clothing to a local thrift store.
Consider using recycled products for your own personal use – during minor and major home renovations; buy used clothing; buy products made from recycled materials; buy used electronics.
Turn off the Water - When brushing teeth, only use water to wet and rinse the brush and paste out of your mouth. When shaving, fill a cup with a small amount of water to rinse out the razor. Only turn the water on to rinse the soap/cream off after you’re finished. Turn the shower water off when soaping up. Run the shower water initially to get wet, and then to rinse off. Your family can save thousands of gallons of water this way!
Consider replacing an old hot water heater with a ‘hot water on demand’ type hot water heater. While these hot water heaters are definitely more expensive initially, in the long run they are much better for the environment (you won’t use all that water trying to heat the water up to a comfortable temperature!), and they will cost you less money in heating bills. And don’t forget to turn the temperature all the way down when you go on vacation (and ideally, whenever you are not using hot water).
Turn out the Lights - When you leave a room, turn out the lights (don’t forget the TV!). Replace as many light bulbs as you can with low energy bulbs. These bulbs use up to 90% less electricity than standard bulbs (how’s that for saving money?) and typically last about 10 times longer.
Unplug - Did you know that even when household appliances, electronics and lights are not in use, they are still using energy? Did you ever notice how battery chargers, cell phone chargers, iPod chargers, etc., are warm if they are plugged in but not charging anything? That is because they are using energy in passive mode (that is, even when they are not in active operation). Your microwave has to use energy to keep the clock ticking. So does your oven and your coffee maker. Same with your alarm clock. One plasma tv can cost as much as $160 per year when not in use! You can help save up to 75% of power consumption simply by unplugging unused lights, electronics and appliances (okay, leave the fridge plugged in). Another alternative is to put lights and electronics that are in close proximity onto a power strip. Then get in the habit of only turning the power strip on when you need to use something on it.
Use cloth instead of paper. Paper products clog our landfills. Whenever possible, use washable plates and napkins (and make sure you use eco-friendly products and minimal water to clean them!). Put the paper towel rolls away so children aren’t tempted to use them. Keep a dishtowel in plain sight. Only buy single-ply toilet paper and instruct your children on using as little toilet paper as possible when using the bathroom. If you have a child in diapers, consider using cloth diapers.
Use natural cleaning products. Most households already have everything they need (like baking soda, vinegar, and soap) to clean naturally. These products are cheap and environmentally friendly ways to clean your house. And they work! If you need to buy cleaning products, make sure you read the labels carefully to ensure you are actually getting chemical-free products. And don’t forget to check the recyclability of the container!
There are many more ways your family can go green – like eating one meatless meal a week, composting raw food waste, bike/walk instead of drive, carpool, buy used (including appliances and electronics). You will find that once you change your habits, being green really isn’t very difficult!
And remember, you don’t have to do it all. Every little bit helps.
