Need some good news for a financially challenging time? Here it is: you can help protect our planet and all its inhabitants, conserve energy and water resources, reduce global warming, and save money with everyday Earth-friendly choices! This is how:
Save with eco-friendly choices
- Go veggie! Adopting a vegetarian diet is the single most important thing you can do for the environment, and your grocery budget will be pleasantly rewarded.
- Buy organic, bulk, and local to help farmers and the planet, while benefiting from the savings associated with lower packaging, advertising, fuel, and agro-chemical costs.
- Use earth-friendly, natural alternatives to expensive, toxic cleaners and pesticides.
- Shop second-hand for clothing and household items. Buy only what you need.
- Take durable bags when you shop – Down to Earth offers a credit of $.05/bag reused.
- Reuse containers for food storage, work or school lunches, and take-out meals.
- Save on paper by printing hard copies only when absolutely necessary.
- Use rechargeable batteries – each one replaces dozens of throwaways.
- Keep your parties and other events free of disposable plastic ware and balloons – you’ll cut costs while helping to protect marine mammals, birds, and sea turtles.
Save at the gas pump
- Cut down on driving – walk, bike, take public transportation, or carpool with others.
- Keep cars tuned up and tires properly inflated to maximize gas mileage.
- Purchase only fuel-efficient cars.
Save on your electric and water bills
- Replace light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs to cut energy use by 75%.
- Turn off lights and unplug appliances/electronics when they’re not being used.
- Cut down on computer and TV time.
- Lower the temperature of your water heater to 120 degrees.
- Select cold water when washing clothes; only wash full loads.
- Give up the clothes dryer – use a line or rack to dry laundry.
- Purchase Energy Star® rated appliances to improve energy efficiency by 30%.
- Replace air conditioning with a fan; clean A/C filters regularly.
- Take short showers; turn off water while soaping; install water-saving showerheads.
- Turn off the faucet while brushing teeth or shaving.
- Fix faucets and toilets that leak or drip.
- Fill a gallon bottle with water and put it in the toilet tank to displace water.
- Landscape with low-water plants, use mulch, and properly adjust all sprinklers.
- Plant shade trees to naturally lower the air temperature of your house.
Leave a light footprint on the Earth as well as on your bank account…start saving today.