There used to be a time and place when the majority of people scoffed at the idea of “going green.” Most everyone thought that caring for the environment was “for the birds” and that there was nothing to worry about. However there is a growing concern for the condition of the environment in this day and age.
For those of you who jumped on the tree-hugging bandwagon years ago… Thank you for caring about the place where we all live. For the rest of us who are just beginning to care about the environment, do not fret because there is still hope yet!
While there are many things one can do to live a more environmentally friendly life, I have narrowed it down to four main areas. A “greener” lifestyle can be achieved through one of the four H’s:
1) the car you drive (Hybrid)
2) household chores (Home)
3) the food you eat (Hunger)
4) the way you take care of the environment. (Habitat)
Each area has great benefits for both the environment and on a more personal level for yourself. Read on to find out how.
HYBRID
One of the best ways to help the Earth, while saving major bucks for yourself at the same time, is to drive a hybrid vehicle. With all of the driving we do in this country, it is a wonder that we are not in worse shape from all of the smog and pollution that our vehicles emit. You don’t have to worry so much about smog with a hybrid because its emits little to no damaging exhaust fumes as regular cars do. Also, everybody knows that hybrids are by far more fuel efficient than any other vehicle out there. That is a plus for the environment because it means less drilling for oil and other natural resources for cars, but it is also a plus for the consumer’s pocket because that is less fuel you have to buy as well.
HOME
There are many things you can do around the house that are not only green, but will save you some too. Below are a few easy tips to help make simple house chores a little more eco-friendly.
1) EcoBalls – An environmentally safe alternative to using chemical-ridden laundry detergents and powders. These soap-free and fragrance-free flying-saucer shaped devices are supposed to last between 750-1000 loads in the wash. That is 10 times longer than one bottle of traditional detergents, which means a lot more money in your pocket. The only drawback of this product is that they are only available online because the EcoBalls are made in the
2) Old-fashioned Line Drying – When it is not raining or snowing out, of course. Line drying your clothes helps save both the environment and your money by avoiding the use of that clunky, energy-wasting mechanical dryer. Not to mention the fact that a line dry gives your clothes a nice, fresh scent.
3) Personal Gardens -What better to save on your grocery bill than to grow some veggies of your own? All you need a place to plant with some dirt, seeds, sun light, a little water, and lots of TLC. Don’t have the space for an actual garden in your yard? No problem! A decent-sized planter or pot will do the trick just fine so long as you can put it in a spot with plenty of sun. The environmental bonus is richer soil in your yard and another plant to produce more oxygen for fresher air.
4) Natural Lighting - Open up those curtains and let in the sunshine! Why turn on the overhead lights when you can use a free and constant light source? One trick to get more light in a room is by rearranging the furniture and placing mirrors in key spots to reflect the natural light shining in. The less you have to flick that on/off switch, the less you have to pay on your electric bill.
For more green-living tips for around the house, check out EcoSalon.
HUNGER
Looking for a place to get fresh, environmentally friendly food for home or on the go? The following local restaurants and stores are great places to pick up a quick meal or some much needed groceries at low to moderate prices. These establishments pride themselves on selling eco-friendly, fresh produce and in some cases even cruelty-free meats as well.
Tommy’s
1824 Coventry Road
1433 SOM Center Road
13998 Cedar Road
11702 Euclid Avenue
HABITAT
1) Tote Bags - Use a tote bag when grocery shopping. Totes help cut down on the waste of plastic and paper bags and are significantly stronger and can hold more than paper or plastic. Most grocery stores are starting to offer special totes for shopping as well. However, if you don’t have a tote bag, try to reuse and repurpose those paper and plastic bags. You can use them as make-shift lunch bags, book covers, etc.
2) RECYCLE! - Separate and store all of your used paper, glass, and plastic products for recycling. If your city does not offer recycling pick-up along with your garbage services, there are plenty of places where recyclables can be dropped off. Sometimes recycling centers even give cash money for such things as pop cans and glass bottles.
3) Use a Trash Can - It really is not that hard to get up and put your garbage in a can… Litter is a big contributor to the destruction of our planet. So please, pick up after yourself. If there are no cans available where you are, then this would be the perfect opportunity to reuse one of those plastic shopping bags. They are excellent for storing trash until you can find an actual garbage can.
4) Carpool - No matter if you are going to school, work, or out with friends, carpooling is a great idea. Not only does it reduce the amount of cars on the road and pollutants released in the air, but it also saves on your car’s mileage and gas (unless you are the driver).
Popularity: 44% [?]
