I've always tried to be conscious of the environment, do my part, not litter, etc. But, in the past year, I've been making more serious strides to not contribute to the problem. I'm looking for more things to do to help. I thought Earth Day would be a nice day to explore this together. What are you doing to lessen your negative impact on the earth?
Some of the things that I've done are:
- I've begun switching my light bulbs to the energy efficient models that use much less wattage and last for 6+ years. I just need to remember to dispose of them in the environmentally hazardous bin that I keep for batteries and such due to the mercury content in them.
- I've started a compost pile that I then recycle into my gardens in order to use less water.
- I no longer use chemical fertilizers and/or bug repellents. I now use only organically certified products.
- I am trying to "shop local" as much as possible for my food. I've found a wonderful local farm that sells organically grown food. Not only are they not polluting the ground with chemical farming techniques, but by buying local I'm not contributing to more petroleum usage because my food is not being shipped long distances.
- I'm grouping all of my errands and will put off running one until I have another errand to do in the same area.
- My husband is now riding his bicycle to work (2 miles each way) in order to not use his car, get exercise, etc. He's looking great!
- I'm running full loads in the dishwasher and laundry, trying to dry more items on lines rather than in the dryer.
- We're taking shorter showers, have taken the sprinklers off of the automatic setting and are watering according to the weather, and are shutting off the water when brushing our teeth.
- We're shutting off our lights and other electrical equipment when not in use. In doing so, we shaved our electrical use by 30% last month alone!
My next goal is to purchase reusable bags for grocery shopping use. Next time they ask, "paper or plastic" I want to be able to say "NEITHER!"
So, what are you doing in this regard? Thanks in advance for your suggestions, ideas, and most of all, for doing your part!
Some of the things that I've done are:
- I've begun switching my light bulbs to the energy efficient models that use much less wattage and last for 6+ years. I just need to remember to dispose of them in the environmentally hazardous bin that I keep for batteries and such due to the mercury content in them.
- I've started a compost pile that I then recycle into my gardens in order to use less water.
- I no longer use chemical fertilizers and/or bug repellents. I now use only organically certified products.
- I am trying to "shop local" as much as possible for my food. I've found a wonderful local farm that sells organically grown food. Not only are they not polluting the ground with chemical farming techniques, but by buying local I'm not contributing to more petroleum usage because my food is not being shipped long distances.
- I'm grouping all of my errands and will put off running one until I have another errand to do in the same area.
- My husband is now riding his bicycle to work (2 miles each way) in order to not use his car, get exercise, etc. He's looking great!
- I'm running full loads in the dishwasher and laundry, trying to dry more items on lines rather than in the dryer.
- We're taking shorter showers, have taken the sprinklers off of the automatic setting and are watering according to the weather, and are shutting off the water when brushing our teeth.
- We're shutting off our lights and other electrical equipment when not in use. In doing so, we shaved our electrical use by 30% last month alone!
My next goal is to purchase reusable bags for grocery shopping use. Next time they ask, "paper or plastic" I want to be able to say "NEITHER!"
So, what are you doing in this regard? Thanks in advance for your suggestions, ideas, and most of all, for doing your part!
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