Ways to become green?

Question

I don't live in my own home. I actually live with family. They have the weather stripping, insulted hot water heater, etc. But I'm wondering about things I can do without changing the household that is not mine anyway. Don't say to go buy a hybrid vehicle, I don't have the money to and unless you want to pay for it then I'm keeping my Ford truck AKA gas guzzler.

Answer 1

These are some simple things I do, that don't cost much.
1. Wash your clothes in coldwater, using Tide coldwater.
2. Use Compact florescent bulbs for your lighting.
3. Use your electronics and appliances efficiently, unplug or turn off anything you are not always using.
4. If your family is willing turn your thermostat up a little in the summer, down in the winter.
5. When you drive your Ford truck accelerate slowly, keep your air filter clean, keep your tires inflated, etc.

Answer 2

REduce, REuse, REcycle.
When you buy a "giant slurpee" at the convenience store, don't throw the styrofoam cup away after you've finished your drink. Wash it out and use it over and over again. The next time you buy a slurpee, take the used cup into the store and refill it instead of using a new cup.
Instead of choosing between "paper or plastic" shopping bags, take your own re-usable canvas bag to the grocery store with you.
When you throw your trash away, a garbage man picks it up and takes it to a landfill, where it it is buried and - most often - doesn't biodegrade for years, or decades, or not at all. So recycle everything that's not easily biodegradable: paper; plastic; tin; used cooking oil; computer parts; steel; aluminum; glass; cardboard; magazines; telephone books; newsprint; metal; cell phones; ink cartridges - all those things can be stored until you can take a car load to the recycling center once or twice a month. Sometimes, some recycling centers will even pay you for certain recyclables such as aluminum or glass.
All these things can be done easily and cheaply. And, you might even be able to make a few bucks while you save the Earth! Good luck. -RKO- 06/06/07

Answer 3

Start recycling. Alot of places have recycle bins for paper. They use the money for charity. Here in San Antonio Tx area we can recycle paper, plastic, glass, tires, brush, batteries. Check your church, school, work place, local charities, to see if they accept stuff. Donate used furniture, clothing, household items instead of putting in a land fill. Switch all your light bulbs to the new flourescent ones. The are a bit more expensive, but last a lot longer. Use biodegradeable cleaners and detergents. Use cloth shopping bags instead of paper or plastic. Unplug appliances when not in use.

Answer 4

Change the thermostat setting and install energy saving devices.
Setting your thermostat a few degrees lower in the winter and a few degrees higher in the summer can translate to substantial savings on your utility bills.
Install low-flow showerheads and take shorter showers to save water and the energy used to heat it.

Make your own cleaning supplies. Using simple ingredients such as baking soda, soap, and vinegar, you can make cheap, easy, and non-toxic cleaning products that really work! Save money, time, and your indoor air quality.

Save money in the bathroom
Buy water-efficient showerheads. With low-flow models, a family of four can cut water usage by as much as 280 gallons a month -- and yet not feel much difference in water pressure. Two we like: Kohler's Master Shower Eco and Niagara Conservation's Earth Massage

Bring home superhero plants
Certain greens can help remove indoor air pollutants like formaldehyde and benzene. Don't have the gardening gene? Golden pothos, English ivy and peace lilies are all easy-to-grow toxin fighters.

Recycle rechargeable
Cell phones, digital cameras and camcorders have made these batteries more popular than ever, but in certain states -- Florida, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey and Vermont -- it's illegal to throw them away. Wherever you live, you can find a nearby store that will recycle them for you; just go to

Adjust fridge and freezer temps
Refrigerators eat up the most electricity in the household. Maximize efficiency by keeping the fridge at 37° F. and the freezer at 0° F.

Lighten up with energy savings
Consider using compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). They cost a bit more than regular bulbs, but you'll lower your electric bill and pay less in the long run -- CFLs last up to 10 times longer than traditional ones. You can buy CFLs at most hardware and home stores. To save more on lighting, install dimmer switches, use timers, indoors, and out.

Recycle smart
From furniture to electronics, one person's trash is another's treasure — so when you want to dispose of an old item, don't make the dump your first stop.

Mow-ercise!
Today's non-gasoline-powered reel lawn mowers are easier to push than the old models. Their eco-benefit: zero emissions (plus, you're getting great exercise). If you prefer a power mower, consider a quiet, battery-operated model from Black & Decker.

Warm up to solar energy
You may not be ready for a totally sun-powered home, but you can get a taste of the technology by using solar-powered lighting in your yard or on your patio. We like Malibu's Solar Floodlight

Go native
Plant flowers and shrubs that are well suited to your climate (the staff at your local nursery can help). The benefit: You'll use less fertilizer and pesticides.

Buy a laptop
It uses considerably less power than a desktop computer.

Answer 5

Try getting some compact fluorescents. Also, get some recycling bins and start encouraging the family to recycle. Additionally, I became a vegetarian to become more green, and I buy things in bulk when possible.

Answer 6

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

(Electricity)
I purchase 100% wind & eco friendly power from my electric company. Maybe suggest this idea to your family-especially if you help pay for the electric bill.
*In Minnesota, electric companies have to offer you the choice of Green Energy, call your electric company to see what they have to offer!

Unplug. Turn off. Research electrical products before purchasing them. Dispose of them properly.
*Guide to home energy solutions: http://www.aceee.org/consumerguide/index.htm
*Appliance Usage Chart: http://www.psnh.com/Residential/ReduceBill/Applianceusage.asp

(Home Products)
I make purchasing decisions based on the following:
>Is there an organic non toxic version available? >Is it better to get the largest version available (less trips to the store). >What has the least packaging or is made with recycled packaging. >Do I really need it?
*Want to know more about reducing? http://www.reduce.org/
*Learn about responsible shopping: http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/rs/
*http://www.chooseorganics.com
*http://natural-lifestyle.com/index.html

(Disposing)
I try to reuse or give away what we don’t use/need instead of throwing things away.
>Compost >Recreate >Recycle >Give away
*http://www.reduce.org/
*http://www.freecycle.org

(Entertainment)
I download my music instead of purchasing new (legally purchased). I’ve joined trading sites and groups to help curb my need for purchasing new-books, music, and movies.
*http://www.barterbee.com
*http://www.paperbackswap.com
*http://www.realplayer.com

(Volunteering)
You can go the extra mile and do some volunteer work. Unfortunately I work 60plus hours a week and don’t get to do it very often.
* http://www.networkforgood.org
*http://www.takingitglobal.org/home.html
*Game of generosity: http://www.generosity.org/

Yahoo search is a great tool-there are so many other resources available! And this is just a short list of what you can do to make a difference!

Answer 7

Whenever an incandescent lightbulb burns out, replace it with a compact fluorescent. This will save a tremendous amount of carbon emissions over its lifetime, which is much longer than an incandescent bulb.

Answer 8

Are you recycleing your trash every day? Low flush tiolet kits,low flow shower heads are an option.Try walking or riding a bike for transportion.

Answer 9

Plant lots of trees. The trees use carbon dioxide (the main gas that is produced in carbon emissions) to breathe - they take CO2 in and produce oxygen.

Answer 10

You can paint yourself with green. I'm mean... plant many plants! If you can walk, then walk. If you can commute, then commute. Commuting saves more gas than driving alone.