My Eco Pride - SITE

Blog – Eco Tips

Change a Light Bulb—Switch out one of the most frequently used

incandescent light bulbs in your home to a compact fluorescent light (CFL).
They last ten times longer and use up to 75% less energy. If every household in
America did this, we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million
homes for a year and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to more
than 800,000 cars!
 
Plant a Tree - Trees not only help reduce carbon dioxide levels in the
atmosphere, they can shield your home from direct sunlight and keep it cooler
in the summer. Choose a tree that is native to your region to ensure that it will
have a long, healthy life.

Unplug Your Appliances - “Phantom” loads occur in most appliances that use
electricity, such as VCRs, televisions, stereos, computers, and kitchen
appliances. In the average home, 75% of the electricity used to power home
electronics is consumed while the products are turned off. This can be avoided
by unplugging the appliance or using a power strip and using the switch on the
power strip to cut all power to the appliance.

Reduce Junk Mail - Save countless trees and reduce landfill waste by reducing
the amount of junk mail you receive.  There are many free and subscription-
based resources which will remove you from unsolicited marketing lists. Also,
opt out of receiving those bulky phone books by contacting the manufacturer
and asking to be taken off their mailing list. You can usually find their contact
information listed on the phone book’s inside cover, or
visitwww.yellowpagesgogreen.org to opt out.

Recycle Old Cell Phones - Each year, 130 million cell phones are thrown out,
weighing approximately 65,000 tons. Recycling your old phone prevents
hazardous elements like mercury, cadmium and lead from ending up in our
landfills. Check outwww.onemillioncellphones.com and donate your old cell
phone to a program that benefits impoverished people around the world.

Green Your Kitchen - Choose non-toxic, eco-friendly kitchen accessories,

such as products made from sustainable bamboo or 100% recycled materials. 
Also, opt for non-toxic or plant-based cleaning products.  They work just as
good as your average cleaning product, but are safer for your family and better
for the environment.

Purchase Eco-Friendly Products – Products manufactured from sustainable

and low-toxic materials are produced in ways that have less of an impact on the
environment and are better for your health.  Look for products with attributes
such as biodegradable, 100% organic, BPA-free, PVC-free plastic, non-toxic, or
made from sustainable wood.
Observe an Eco-Sabbath - For one day or afternoon a week, don't buy
anything, don't use any machines, don't switch on anything electric, don't cook,
don't answer your phone, and, in general, don't use any resources. In other
words, for this regular period, give yourself and the planet a break. Keep your
regular eco-sabbath for a month. You'll find that the enforced downtime
represents an improvement to your life!

Toss Out Those Chemical Cleaners - No need to spend lots of money on

fancy household cleaners (that likely also contain harmful chemical
ingredients).  Good ole' baking soda is non-toxic and when mixed with a little
water makes for a great cleanser for tubs, sinks and other surfaces.  All for less
than a dollar!

Conserve Water – water is one of the world's most precious resources -- and
we all need to do what we can to conserve it wherever possible. Aerators on
your household’s faucets and low-flow toilets can help you save water without
even thinking about it. Also, be sure to fix that leaky faucet!  A single dripping
water faucet can waste 212 gallons of water a month.