A New Year’s Resolution For A Better, Greener 2009
Written by Erin Patterson - Thursday, 01 January 2009
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 Not one for drastic changes all at once? Know yourself well enough to know you won’t stick to a resolution if it means major changes and lots of effort to maintain and sustain?
Here are some easy ways that don’t involve major commitment or investment to better ease green into your lifestyle.
Ixnay the junk mail to save trees.
What’s in it for me, you ask? Far less annoying junk mail filling your mailbox and cluttering your home. There are several great junk mail killers out there, like GreenDimes and ProQuo. In just a few minutes, you can request to be removed from direct marketing lists while picking and choosing the ones you're actually interested in. Convenience and a positive environmental impact—the perfect couple!
Swapping instead of shopping.
The eternal question looms again, what’s in it for me? Saving money, that’s what. Try second hand options, like vintage stores, thrift stores, resale shops, garage sales, mom-to-mom sales, Freecycle.org, and trading clothes with friends or family, before buying new. This is an especially great green technique for families with children who get very little wear out of clothing before growing out of it. Swapping instead of shopping for new works for electronics, too. For instance, if you're in the market for a “new” cell phone, buy a pre-owned or restored cell-phone. Sites like eBay or Overstock.com also have refurbished or pre-owned electronics, like digital cameras.
Become a label reader.
Look for labels that make finding green products easier. When shopping for electronics or appliances, look for the Energy Star logo. If you are in the market for paper products or wood furniture, aim to buy products with a Forestry Stewardship Council label. If you are on the hunt for a new computer for work or home use, look for the EPEAT label. You should also look for products with packaging made from recycled materials.
Recycle your electronics and make a few bucks.
We all have old cell phones (many of us have several!) or CD players stashed away in drawers and closets doomed to remain there... Unless they are recycled. You can make some extra cash in less than ten minutes by using one of the many services that will take your old electronics off your hands.
Kick your bottled water habit.
Do you frequently buy bottled water rather than drinking water out of the tap? Around the world, many consumers in developing countries purchase bottled water because their water supplies aren't safe for drinking. However, in North America we are fortunate to have clean drinking water on tap and at our disposal nearly any time. Did you know that most bottled water lacks fluoride? Fluoride is essential in preventing tooth decay.
If you drink a bottle of water every day, that's 365 water bottles per year. At roughly $2 per bottle, this habit is costing you $730 per year! Ouch! By going green (and leaner on your wallet) and swapping the bottled waters for a much greener combination of a reusable water pitcher (approx. $21), six replacement filters per year for the pitcher (approx. $8 per filter), a BPA-free reusable water bottle (approx. $16-- many are much less expensive), and 7 unavoidable bottles of water (approx. $2 each), it will cost you about $100. That is much easier to swallow than the $730 figure, isn’t it?
Drip, drip, drip no more.
Fix all of the leaky faucets and pipes in your home. This saves water and energy, and thus reduces your water and energy bills. It might help you sleep better at night, too, without all that dripping.
Installing toilets that use less water, low flow showerheads, and faucet aerators will also help you cut down on usage and lower your water bill. The initial investment is minimal and you will recoup that money through savings on your water and energy bills in less than a year’s time.
Reducing the length and temperature of your shower is another great and easy way to reduce your water bill, your energy bill, and conserve water simultaneously. When doing laundry, clothing should also be washed in cold water for the same reasons. You can also wear most clothing (please continue to wash your socks and undergarments with each wear!) more than once before washing. This saves water, energy, and your precious time, too!
Unplug it!
Unplug all appliances and other electronics when they are not in use. Even though something might be turned off, it is still drawing power if it is plugged in. Cell phone chargers are particularly guilty of this. Toaster ovens are another offender, also known to catch fire while plugged in but not in use.
Make the change to rechargeable batteries. They are not much more expensive than regular batteries and they last more than ten times longer. Less trips to the store for you, fewer batteries to recycle, and less waste in the landfill! It’s win-win-win!
Swap out regular incandescent light bulbs for compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). The CFL bulbs last 6-10 times longer than regular bulbs and they use significantly less energy. CFLs are now even available in dimmer versions. Do a walk-through of your home to record the number of bulbs you need and head to the store. You will be glad you did.
Paper or plastic?
Neither. Use reusable bags and avoid using plastic bags whenever possible. Canvas totes are an increasingly popular and green alternative to plastic shopping bags. They can be purchased at most retailers while you shop. Online you can find many different varieties, styles, and sizes. It pays to make the change from disposable shopping bags to reusable bags, as some stores, like Ikea, are even charging you for plastic bags in an effort to reduce reliance on plastics, fossil fuels, and to reduce the amount of waste in the landfill. If you vow to buy just one reusable bag every time you go shopping for two months, you will be well stocked in no time at all! Keep the reusable bags in your cars and in your home in plain sight so you don’t forget to use them.
There you have it, easy and better ways to integrate a bit of green into your life! Good luck going green!
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