Great Green Idea: Green Living: Consume Less All Around

Consume Less All Around

We've all heard this enough to know it by heart: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. If you're not recycling, you're literally throwing energy away. So what are the simple steps you can follow to help keep our planet a nicer place to live? Here are a few things you can do.

Consume less by reusing and recycling

Plastic bags litter streets, trees, and streams. Plastic bags are considered an increasing environmental problem worldwide: cities from San Francisco, California, to Mumbai, India, have banned them, and so have whole nations, including Ireland, Germany, and China. In China, where plastic bags are known as "white pollution," the parliament banned them outright in 2008. The idea has taken off worldwide. Taxes or bans have been implemented in Australia, Russia, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, and South Africa. In Canada, grocery shoppers are encouraged to bring in their own recyclable bags rather than using plastic ones-grocery stores charge 5 cents per bag.

Goodwill accepts old, gently used clothing and appliances and re-sells them to the community. These revenues fund Goodwill's implementation of its core mission: to create jobs and work experience for those who face employment barriers. In addition, by donating your new and gently used goods to Goodwill, you are playing an important role in the waste management program, diverting valuable goods that might otherwise end up in landfill. One person's trash can become another person's treasure.

Consume less electricity

Many home electronic devices such as TVs, stereos, and computers continue to consume small amounts of energy even when in an off state. Unplug those appliances when you can. However, this is not always safe or convenient. An alternative solution is to purchase a smart power strip. One of these can accommodate many appliances, and they are ideal for computers systems with peripheral equipment.

During the winter months, open your curtains on windows that face south to let the sun help heat your home naturally. In the evening, be sure to close those curtains to retain the maximum heat within your home. This also reduces the cold chill that can appear near windows. Make sure your curtains are not blocking air vents or radiators.

Replace standard light bulbs with energy-efficient light bulbs. Energy efficient light bulbs can use as much as 2/3 less energy than standard light bulbs and will last longer.

Consume less gas

Poor gas mileage can be attributed to low tire pressure. Be sure that your tires are inflated to the recommended tire pressure listed in your vehicle's owner's manual. Recommended tire pressure also usually can be found on the driver's side doorjamb or stamped on the side of the tire. When in doubt, consult other sources. If you cannot identify your recommended tire pressure, a good average would be 32 pounds per square inch. Another way to reduce gasoline consumption is to refrain from driving at high speeds, because the higher your speed is, the higher the gas consumption will be.

Consume less water

Shorten your shower by a minute or two, and you'll save up to 150 gallons of water per month. Designate one glass for your drinking water each day or refill a water bottle. This will cut down on the number of glasses that you have to wash. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth, and save 25 gallons a month. When defrosting food, leave it out or place it in the lower portion of the refrigerator rather than using running water. Use buckets rather than a hose for washing your car. Use a faucet aerator for your sink and a low-flow showerhead. Fix leaky pipes; they will not only rot your home but waste a lot of water.

It may not seem like much at first, but our combined efforts over the course of a year and over the span of your lifetime will become an ocean of difference to the planet. Consider that if everyone were to make these small changes, the impact would be widespread and the results would be noticeable almost immediately.