Ideas for producing less waste, consuming less water or energy?

Question

We recycle and installed water-saving shower heads and are mindful of our laundry and dishwashing routine. Public transportation isn't widely available in our area and biking to work isn't an option. Any more ideas for cutting down on waste, energy, and water?

I should also add that we've turned down our water heater and insulated all our duct work and turn off lights when we leave the room.

Answer 1

- Tankless water heaters - you don't waste energy keeping the tank warm, and they even get you a tax credit.

- Combine errands into one big run and don't idle when you are driving

-If your power company has the option, buy a portion of your electricity in renewable energy. My power company already sold out of its allocation of wind power, but I'm on a waiting list for it.

Answer 2

Everything MadMaxx said, except for the reusing of the water bottles, which is extremely unhealthy. Buy a nalgene bottle which you can refill at home. Those low wattage bulbs are great, using around 12 W/hour of power, and actually being more luminscent than the other lights. Also limit shower time to 7 minutes or under. Don't run the water running when brushing your teeth, or filling a pot or pan and such. In terms of electricity, unplug stuff when you aren't using it. Things like microwaves use more energy just being plugged in because of the clocks and slight lack of efficiency in a day, than if you were to use it for 7 minutes a day. Microwaves use 5 watts an hour of power just being plugged in. The same is true of electric stoves, etc... etc...

Answer 3

Turn off lights when you're not in the room, open windows in the summer instead of using air conditioning, turn your hot-water heater down a little, compost your table scraps for the garden (except for meat), buy in bulk and re-use containers whenever possible, combine trips to the store with as many errands as you can think of at once - to avoid using the car for little trips there and back again all the time.

People often overlook buying items made from recycled materials (like envelopes, paper, etc), which is the completion of the recycling chain. Also, buy earth-friendly soaps to keep dangerous chemicals out of the water - even waste water is in the water cycle.

Consider working one day a week from home if your employer offers that option. Many people bike to work every day whom you'd think didn't have that "option" - so examine that one carefully. My boyfriend commutes every day on his bike, winter, summer, snow storm, pouring rain, etc. That's determination! Drive at slower speeds on the highway to conserve fuel. Keep your thermostat a little lower in the winter and higher in the summer - bundle up or wear shorts in accordance.

Hey - good for you!!! ;-)

Answer 4

Front load or top load washer? Front load washers use 1/7th the water a top loader does and is easier on the fabrics... so your clothes will last longer.

--Re-use water bottles if you buy bottled water
--buy good quality tuperware for storing foods instead of those cheap throw-aways
--re-use zip lock bags
--use a re-usable lunch bag or cooler
--when waiting for your shower water to come to temp... use a bucket to catch it and then water your plants with it.
--low wattage bulbs and turn off lights when you're done in the room... even if you'll be back in 30 seconds
--on demand water heater

I'm full of em, so just email me sometime!

Answer 5

Have you tried those energy saving lightbulbs? They're kinda pricey, but if you get them at Lowe's and save the reciepts, they have a lifetime warranty. We bought a couple every week until we replaced them all. Our electric bill went from 320 down to 180

Answer 6

I dont know if the japanese still bath this way but i was told they pour a bucket of hot water on them selves to prepare to soap up, then 2 to rinse off

Answer 7

get a horse feed it your compost.