Thanks to Josh and the Folks at Pangea Organics for listing 10 easy things we can do that will have a beneficial impact on the planet and our wallets! www.pangeaorganics.com
1. Give Up Using Paper Napkins, Paper Towels, Or Both. Get (or make!) a few sets of organic cloth napkins. Do your cleaning with old towels and/or t-shirts cut into smaller pieces. They are super-easy to throw in the washer to clean!
2. Use Low-Energy Light Bulbs. Switch to energy-saving light bulbs. They may cost a bit more, but can save you up to 10 times the price over their lifetime and use at least two-thirds of the energy of standard ‘incandescent’ bulbs.
5. Don’t Drive When You Can Walk, Or Ride A Bike.
Walking and biking helps both the planet and your health at the same time! For those times that you do need to drive, be sure to drive efficiently. Accelerate and brake your vehicle gently. Quick starts and stops can decrease mileage by up to 12 percent. Use the cruise control whenever possible. It saves fuel by keeping your vehicle at a steady speed.
7. Bring Your Own Re-Usable Bag. 88 billion plastic bags are used in the U.S. each year. This represents 12 million barrels of oil. It is estimated that it takes up to 1,000 years for a plastic bag to decompose. If you have a hard time remembering your bag when you leave the house or your car, check out chicobag.com. Their Reusable Bags are stuffable, which allows them to fit easily inside your pocket or purse, and they come with a handy carabiner so that you can clip your ChicoBag™ anywhere.
8. End or reduce junk mail. Register with www.catalogchoice.org. This free service lets you reduce unwanted mail and choose how you hear from brands.
9. Donate. Stop before you throw something away. Your trash is often someone else’s treasure. Donate cloths, toys and other household items you don’t use to your local thrift shops or charity organizations. Or check out The Freecycle Network, an online community tool for giving and receiving free stuff.
10. Buy organic, locally grown food whenever possible. Each pound of local food you purchase prevents a quarter pound of climate change (C02) emissions. Support your area’s Farmer’s Market. If possible, grow your own fruits and vegetables using organic gardening practices. You can find local farmer’s markets, community supported agriculture, restaurants that cook with regional cuisine, and food cooperatives through Local Harvest.
