Avoid petroleum products.
Fossil fuels are hidden in many household products such as plastics, cleaners and even cosmetics. Double check each product you use and look for a petro-free alternative.
Buy recycled products.
Everyday products made with recycled materials, like office paper and trash bags, are available. When you buy these products it creates a demand which completes the cycle, making your recycling efforts worthwhile. If a recycled version is not available, shop for items that are made from materials that can be recycled efficiently, like aluminum.
Eliminate wasted electricity.
Phantom Load isn't the newest sci-fi thriller, it is energy being wasted by electronic devices around the world. Computers and TV's can use up to 40% of their full running power while in sleep mode. And electronic chargers continuously pull electricity, even when battery is charged. Unplug all electrical devices or turn off the power strip to save money and energy while reducing pollution.
Recycle.
Make a quick call to your refuse company or the local recycling center to get educated on what can be recycled in your area. This small effort to create a recycling program saves energy, water, landfill space and raw materials while reducing pollution.
Reduce water heater temperature.
Most households only require a water heater thermostat setting of 120ºF or even 115ºF. The DEP suggests lowering the thermostat on your water heater by 10ºF to save you between 3%–5% in energy costs.
Relying on non-paper services.
Sign up for free on-line banking. It is an easy, safe and reliable way to manage your household while reducing landfill waste, tree destruction, energy usage and pollution. Opting to receive your statements on-line and paying your bills on-line will help you stop worrying about important information getting lost in the mail.
Replace bottled water w/filter.
Two million cars could run off the petroleum consumed during the production of bottled water to meet demand in the US; even though we are blessed with a sanitary in-home water systems. Filtering products are effective and inexpensive and readily available. Reusable aluminum or leach-free plastic bottles keep filtered water portable and safe.
Replacing incandescents.
Traditional bulbs, incandescents, are extremely inefficient, with 95% of their energy used creating heat, not light. CFL's and LED's are a more costly option upfront but pay for themselves though efficacy and longevity.
Stop the junk mail.
On average more than 40 pounds of junk mail is received annually by each American, nearly half of which goes to landfills unopened. One hundred million trees are destroyed while fossil fuels are burned and pollution is created during the harvest, creation and deliver of unwanted mail.
Take bags while shopping.
Be a trend setter, start by finding canvas totes acquired from magazine subscriptions, events and cast-offs from family members. They are great grocery bags holding twice as much stuff and they rest comfortably on the shoulder. Expect curious reactions from store employees, but in time, everyone will get used to it.