I am looking for simple and affordable ways to help going green?

Question

I have no recycling available in my area, and to drive that far would waste fuel.
These are two things I am doing that are easy.

Using clean and refillable water bottles, and buys by the gallon or more. No water bottles to trash.
Using shopping bags, I purchased two reusable bags for 99c each. Every time you use them you save 3c and no more plastic bags.

Give more ideas, please.

I live on a fixed income in rural Nevada, where recycling is neither required nor mandatory. I have a Safeway 15 miles away. Then the Wal-Mart is 75 miles away. Reno is 140 and Las Vegas is 300mi. So traveling doesn't work for me. That is the price I pay to live a quiet live in the high dessert. So I need simple lifestyles changes to make differences for our planet.

Answer 1

grow your own food!!!!!!

you can no matter where you live:
paradise, or NY apartment

Answer 2

If you have 3 ft of available space you can compost and save trash space by making your own garden soil. Replace lights with energy efficient ones. Encourage your city services to invite recyclers to preform round ups in your community 1x a month as a community service and a way to reduce trash costs. Create a community book trade party at a school,library or community center to encourage people to reuse books instead of buying new. There are allot of ways you can live greener just look at what you have in excess and see if there is an opportunity to share or trade in your community. You could also contact a large recycling company and see if they would set up a station in your town it will not only provide a great community service but perhaps a job or two. Good Luck!

Answer 3

grow ur own garden,,a small one and simple
use left overs and rotted fruits and vegetables 4 feterlizer,egg shells,tea bags and coffee grounds work well also.
All junk mail u receive,,,if there is a pre-paid envolope,,send it back!!this will cost them sending and receiving,,,dont fill anything out
grow trees near ur home,,,fast growing trees are cheap and can cut ur cooling bills by half--in the winter they help gard ur home from cold winds.
Grow fruit trees,,,small ones that require little maintance.
Buy in bulk,,of non-perishable items,,,also saves money trips,(gas)-and paper waste from the company--
Recycle cans,,,,this will pay 4 itself..
Use recycle products,and some store have bag drops 4 over crowded plastic shopping bags..
Buy containers for paper and card board,,to take 1 x a month or so to recycle.
Use bio friendly products,,that way if its in a land fill,,,it wont hurt...
Cut the plastic rings on 6-pack holders,,keeps animals from killing themselves.
Ask ur local church to set up a recycling program,,,they speak of love god and mother earth,,,,let them show this love,,,not to mention they can also have a can drive to collect money for the church.If just half the members get involved,,,that wold be a tremendous help in conserving the enviorment,,
All these ideas are cheap and easy,,,u can also see if ur job has a recycling program.....
and donate old things to goodwill,salvation army,,,this also saves the enviroment by reusing things for several more years.

Answer 4

Another simple, easy thing is in your everyday chores:

1- don't use paper or plastic wear (plates, cups, forks, etc..)
2- when you use re-usuable eat wear simply don't let the water run while washing. (don't use the dishwasher - and save about $20.00 plus a month on your water bill - not to mention your electric)
3- use a clothesline for towels, sheets, jeans, etc.. ( all those long drying items).
4- hanger dry shirts, dresses, jackets and other hangable items - this gives your home a fresh scent (liquid fabric softner) and humidifies your home which helps with your families health.
5- don't use a full cycle when drying lighter items. Use half your cycle - this is usually enough time.

** by doing # 2 , 3 , 4 & 5 our family saved around $100.00 a month on electric alone - it's like being paid to go green!

Answer 5

I have a similar problem! The cheapest thing I have done is to replace a light bulb with CFL one. It was like $3 for one, but it will save a lot of energy, and last way longer then a traditional incandecent.

Another thing that wont cost any money at all is to unplug appliances that have a stand by feature, they use energy even when they are not turned on! So unplug your tv/vcr/computer when not in use, or get one of those outlet stripes with an off button to plug all of that stuff into and then you can just flip the little switch when you need too!

Answer 6

Well, I would double check on the recycling because I believe many area have to have a center. Also, how far is to far because in the long run if you have a lot of reclyables it will help. Another step is to replace all the bulbs in your home with florecent energy saving bulbs. They are available even at walmart. They are a little expensive upfront but last far longer then any regular bulb. Austrailla (sorry if I spelled it wrong) is on the way to banning regular old fashioned bulbs.

Answer 7

1) Set your thermostat at 68 in the winter and 78 in the summer.
2) Install CFLs in light fixtures that are on for long periods of time.
3) Take shorter showers
4) Install a small clothesline in your backyard and use it to dry some of your clothes.
5) Close shades or blinds in the summer to keep direct sunlight.
6) Turn your hot water heater down to 120F
7) Wash your clothes in cold water
8) Use public transportation
9) When it is time to replace appliances make sure the new ones are Energy Star rated
10) Plant some trees to shade your house

Answer 8

Purchase some energy saving lights. They cost a little more up front, but in the long run you will save 2-3 times what thay cost in the form of lower electric bills. They only use 25% as much power as traditionaly tungsten light bulbs.

Answer 9

Thats a simple and easy start but also setting your thermostat reasonably to not waste energy, buying energy star appliances when your current appliances reach the end of their life, driving a 4 cylinder car instead of a 6 cylinder when the time is for a new one. there are tons of ways to save money while going green. some stores and companies also recycle if there is a wal mart in your area they do recycle plastic bags, cans and bottles, also many supermarkets allow recycling so if your doing your weekly food shopping you could take your recyclables to the nearest supermarket. turning off unused lights in the house and switching to compact flourescant bulbs from incandescant are also ways to go green and save money. good luck!

Answer 10

Sometimes big shopping centers have recycling centers out in the parking lot, they often look like big dumpsters, but they are green. Save up your recyables for when you go to a shopping center and take a trunk full there.

If you work somewhere set up a recycling center for paper and other materials and have willing people rotate to take it to a recycling center.

Answer 11

What if I could guarantee you for $55.00 you could not only save $3,400.00 off the bat!

BUT ALSO:
SAVE Landfills 108 lbs of pkging and the hassle of containers around your house, yard, or trips to the recycle
ELIMINATE 248 lbs of greenhouse gas.
ACCOMPLISH the equivalent of planting 10 trees?
100% chemical free/"true" organic zone in your home.
GIVE you more than 1001 uses ALL around your house and yard for EACH of your family members?
SAVE untold amounts of trips to the store thus save you $ on gas/pollution/ etc.
SAVE you in the long run on trips to the doctor for you and your family?

AND MOST IMPORTANT being able to share this EASY concept /lifestyle with your friends and family's without having to leave your front door!!

IMAGINE "your personal" gain and results in one years time!

And those are just starters which would give you more TIME AND MONEY to start going green right from your kitchen sink.

Does that sound like an affordable way to get a HUGE LEAP in going green?

I promise you this is no exaggeration! and you can contact me via email no hassles, no strings, for more info and or links to research on your journey to Get Clean and Go Green!