Curious about what to do with Old Yoga Mats? Click This and See some great ideas!
A list of 10 Things under $10 to help make a difference…compiled by Adi Carter.
Here are some tips for Green Living:
Firstly, become aware of what you use. Monitor consumption of electricity, gas, and water. Pay attention to how much waste you generate. Challenge yourself to MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Follow the ‘R’s in order > Re-use , Re-duce, Re-cycle
Locate and Support your Local Environmental Group of choice. They are probably looking for support from someone just like you!
In the Bathroom:
- Conserve Water as much as possible
- brush your teeth and shave with the water off, only turning it on when you need to rinse
- place a brick or something else bulky and heavy in the back basin of your toilet, it will displace water requireing less for flushing. You will also notice a little less water in the bowl with this method
- if it’s yellow…let it mellow
- Take shorter showers, or shower with someone else!
- Many shower heads are now able to save you water without jeopardizing pressure…ask the local hardware store for help
- get some nice Organic towels and bathmat (Gaiam, Rawganique.)
- find out what´s in your soap and shampoo…and use organic and natural cleaning products
- Buy toilet paper made from recycled paper (7th Gen, Eco, etc…)
- replace just the head of your toothbrush instead of the whole brush!
In the Kitchen
- Recycle glass, plastic, and paper goods
- Compost your food scraps. Many cities now take composting, or if that´s not available to you, ask your neighbor with a garden if they do.
- Buy Organic whenever possible
- Support local farmers markets
- Grow your own herbs and greens!
- Stop using toxic cleaners on your counters…you will eat them later…literally! Here are some sources for good cleaning solution recipes to make your own:
http://mlmgorilla.com/naturalcleaningrecipe/
http://www.eartheasy.com/live_nontoxic_solutions.htm
~Re-use as much as possible~
- Jars and containers…they make great travel accessories as well as closet organizers
- Food Bags…a little rinse and dry and they make great…bags again!
- Grocery Bags…or even better yet, get several canvas bags for your shopping. Keep one in your car, one at home, one at the office and remember it when you go the store
- Get rid of Teflon…it’s bad stuff. I have a new Cast Iron Skillet and cook everything in it! Very durable and makes the best veggie curry!
In the Bedroom:
- Organic cotton sheets are super cozy
In the Laundry Room:
- non-toxic soap and detergent
- Stop using the dryer so much! Get a clothes line and let the sun and wind naturally dry your laundry without using extra resources or also drying rack will do the trick.
In the Office:
- Use recycled paper products
- Put your computer on Hibernate when not in use to save on electricity
- Free yourself from Junk Mail. When a catalog comes in that you don’t want. Take the 4 mintues to call the 800 number on the back and tell them to take you off their mailing list. If they as you why, tell them you are minimizing your impact on forests!
General Conservation:
- TURN OFF ALL LIGHTS WHEN NOT IN USE
- Get your OWN WATER BOTTLE and stop using so many throw away cups!!
- Take your own forks, knives, and spoons instead of using plastic all the time.
- Gather rainwater and use it later for your plants
- Check out low energy bulbs
- Get a timer or motion detector for all your lights
- Pick one day a week to NOT USE YOUR CAR
- Unplug your cell phone charger when it’s not charging your phone!!!
- Check out An Inconvienient Truth
- Subscribe to Ideal Bite! They are a great resrouce and an intertaining and helpful way to be pro-active
- Why Replace when you can ReUse or Recycle? A great article about what to do with Furniture and Sofas
Pass it on! Tell your friends these simple things they can do to make a difference.
GENERAL GREEN RESOURCES:
Greenhome.com
Green Yoga Supplies
