How to Live Green
Advocating for the environment doesn’t only mean knowing the current environmental problems and the ways to save the planet. You also have to act on these problems. Practice what you preach. Be an example to everyone and encourage people to do the same. Here are some tips you can follow to live green.
Save Resources
People use too much electricity, water and fuel. They don’t even realize that they’re wasting these things already. Try cutting back on your consumption of these resources. You’re not only helping the environment but also saving your hard-earned money.
Electricity
Turn off unnecessary equipment. Putting your TV on stand by mode still requires energy. Why don’t you just turn it off? Turn off lights when no one’s in the room. Try sleeping with your lights out. Make use of the sun during the day. Open your windows and curtains to let the sun in so you don’t have to use your lights.
Do things manually. While technology made things easier for us, it also made people lazy. Trim your grass with a grass cutter instead of a lawn mower if you don’t have a big area to manage. Use a pair of scissors or your hands to cut or tear bills instead of using a paper shredder. Wash your dishes instead of loading them in a dishwasher.
Water
Routinely check your pipes. Use sealants for leakages or replace your old pipes. (Learn how to get rid of a leaky faucet)
Use a water hose to water your plants instead of using garden sprinklers.
Don’t take long showers. Don’t let water run when brushing your teeth or washing your face.
Fuel
Don’t use your car if you’re not going for a long drive.
Walking is a great way to exercise and save on gas. It also helps us have cleaner air.
Use your bike if you don’t want to walk. It’s also another way of exercising.
Follow the minimum speed limit. Speeding up requires a lot of gas. Try to follow the lowest speed limit. This will help you save on gas and money.
Waste Management
Follow the 3 Rs, which are reduce, reuse and recycle.
Reduce
Don’t throw things that you can still use for other purposes, like jam bottles. Clean them and use them as storage for little things like pins and buttons. Think before deciding that something needs to be thrown out.
Don’t buy unnecessary things. Buy those that don’t use too much packaging. Get only the essential things. Have a list with you when you go shopping.
Reduce your paper waste by canceling unnecessary mail subscriptions.
Choose recyclable goods.
Support and buy products made of recycled materials.
Reuse
Host a garage sale. If you’ve accumulated an enormous collection of things that you don’t use anymore, don’t throw them away. Things that are still in good condition can be put on sale. You can also just donate them to charities.
Don’t throw away packaging and boxes. Keep them as you may never know when you might need these things.
Bring plastic bags with you and use them when you go shopping. Stores would greatly appreciate your act.
Recycle
Know how to recycle scrap papers and news papers. Instead of shredding your bills and throwing them away, why don’t you recycle them and make them into beautiful and artsy recycled papers that you can use as greeting cards and stationery.
Make a compost. Don’t throw left over foods and pet wastes. Make a compost out of them and use this as a soil fertilizer. (Tips on how to make compost)
Have a Green Environment
Plant fruit-bearing tress in yard. You won’t only have fresher air, but you’ll also have an abundance of fresh fruits.
Place indoor plants and flowers in your home. These will give you a fresh scent around the house so you won’t have to buy those expensive air fresheners.
Plant grass and trim it frequently.
Deciding to live a greener life starts from small acts. Practice living green now and others will follow.