72 ways you can be more eco-friendly
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Gen Y is well known for it’s environmental consciousness . 47% of Gen Y will pay more for green brands , and Gen Y takes notice of eco-friendly marketing . Here are 72 ways you can really make a difference to help the environment.
In the Home
Image from Kevin Dooley on Flickr
According to GreenYour , most people can live quite comfortably at a temperature of 78°F. Every degree the temperature is raised above 72 degrees, cooling costs drop by 3 percent and carbon dioxide emissions decrease by 121 pounds.
Raise the indoor temperature (during the summer)
Lower the indoor temperature (during the winter)
Unplug your cell phone charger during the day
Spend more time outside
Install energy efficient lighting
Open the windows to use natural light and air
Manage your finances online
Pay your bills online
Switch to an energy efficient water heater
Put caulking around your house for insulation
Recycle, reuse, retrofit, and restore old furniture
Invest in sustainable power like solar panels and solar wind
Use rechargeable batteries for appliances
In the Kitchen
Image from Pink Sherbet Photography on Flickr
Research at the University of Chicago shows that an average burger man (that is, not the outsize variety) emits the equivalent of 1.5 tonnes more CO2 every year than the standard vegan. By comparison, were you to trade in your conventional gas-guzzler for a state of the art Prius hybrid, your CO2 savings would amount to little more than one tonne per year.
Eat less meat Unplug all appliances you don’t use often
Wait until the dishwasher is full before running it
Switch to energy saving appliances
Use recyclable paper products
Recycle as much paper and plastic as possible
Recycle all aluminum cans
Get a compost machine
Reduce water pressure in the sink
Turn off the water whenever it isn’t running
Use water and vinegar for everyday cleaning
In the Bathroom
Switch to low flow sinks, toilets, and showerheads
Take shorter showers
Buy eco-friendly beauty products
Add a one-gallon jug filled with sand to the toilet tank
Reduce water pressure in the shower
Use eco-friendly cleaning products like 7th Generation or Method
Let your hair dry naturally
In the Laundry Room
Get an energy efficient stackable washer and dryer
Use vinegar in the rinse cycle as a natural antibacterial and fabric softener
Dry clothes on lines when it’s nice outside
Avoid purchasing polyester clothing
Donate old clothes to charity
In the Office
Image from quapan on Flickr
According to Greenpeace , you can contribute to the Black Pixel Project by turning a small square on your computer black. You can then move the black square anywhere on the screen, where it will keep count of the energy you are saving (about 0.057 watts per hour). So far, 110,345 watts have been saved — the same as 1,003 color TVs or 1,226 fridges, turned off for an hour.
Print on both sides of the paper
Use printing mistakes as scrap paper
Recycle ink cartridges
Put your computer on standby every night
Go to virtual meetings via Skype, rather than driving to meet
Recycle any paper you don’t use
Purchase a paper shredder and recycle important documents
Switch to electronic billing for clients
Do as much as your work online as possible
Send packages with as little packaging as possible
Using websites with black pixels rather than white (it takes less energy)
Bring your lunch to work in reusable plastic containers instead of sandwich bags
In the Yard
Image from Dan4th on Flickr
One hour of mowing your lawn with a gas-powered mower produces as much pollution as driving your car for four hours, according to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality .
Plant vegetables in your garden
Landscape with native or draught-tolerant garden plants
Let your grass grow longer than usual
Water the lawn on alternate days
Water the lawn in the mornings or evenings
Plant more trees
Use the community pool rather than building one in your backyard
In the Garage
Ride your bike to work
Carpool to work
Drive slower
Keep your tires inflated
Avoid biofuels
Get a hybrid car
Get your car tuned up and inspected regularly
Dispose of batteries, antifreeze, paint, motor oil, or chemicals at a toxic disposal site
Outside the Home
Image from moriza on Flickr
Every newspaper represents emissions of a half pound of carbon dioxide, according to GreenInc . Marriott hotel instituted a new policy to reduce morning newspaper distribution by about 50,000 newspapers every day or by about 18 million newspapers every year. That would reduce carbon emissions by 10,350 tons each year.
Walk wherever you can
Use public transportation when possible
Shop local for clothing items
Rent or download music and media instead of purchasing CDs and DVDs
Attend your local farmer’s market (summer)
Use reusable shopping bags
Buy eco-friendly products when possible
Read newspapers and magazines online
Drink from reusable water bottles rather than plastic ones
What are some other ways you can be more eco-friendly?
Monica O'Brien is the Director of Digital at Fizz and author of the book Social Pollination, which helps businesses leverage social media for crazy growth!
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
That “avoid biofuels” one is bound to spark some controversy, but I agree.
Maybe – personally I don't see a huge controversy, but I don't know what the benefits would be of using biofuels, aside from the obvious.
Excellent post Monica!
I looked the list and am glad to know that I am already doing most of these thigns. But still some work to do yet
I like this list. Thanks for the advice!
nice post…
nice post…
nice post…