Environmental Safety: Easy Ways to Live Greener - Part 2

Easy Ways to Live Greener-Part 2

When you’re a parent, environmental concerns suddenly take on new meaning. You want to keep your family safe and your environment healthy for so many reasons. Scan this list of green ideas and start adding a few to your routine every week.

1. Wash laundry in cold water instead of hot.
2. Drive the speed limit.
3. Before buying new items, check online sites for gently used options.
4. Collect rainwater to water your houseplants and garden.
5. Make rags out of old towels and t-shirts.
6. Adjust your refrigerator temperature to 37°F and the freezer to 0°F.
7. Swap out one meat dish for a veggie dish each week.
8. If the line at the drive-thru is long, park and go in.
9. Use a push lawn mower instead of a power model.
10. Plant native flowers and shrubs that need less fertilizer and pesticides.
11. Replace the air filters in your car regularly.
12. Install dimmer switches.
13. Wrap an insulation blanket around your water heater.
14. Get off junk mail lists at dmachoice.org.
15. Buy concentrated laundry detergent to save packaging.
16. Dust the coils underneath and on the back of your refrigerator.
17. Combine the week’s errands into one trip.
18. Support local farmers by shopping at the farmers market or curb stands.
19. Buy unbleached paper.
20. Plant perennials instead of annuals in the garden.
21. Turn on the ceiling fan instead of the air conditioner.
22. Turn off your heater’s pilot light in the summer.
23. Fill a jar with water and put it in your toilet tank so you use less water with each flush.
24. Reuse wrapping paper or use newspaper paper to wrap presents.
25. Read the newspaper online.
26. Don’t litter.
27. Avoid aerosol spray cans.
28. Buy items you use frequently in bulk.
29. Take extra stuff out of your car trunk to save gas.
30. In public restrooms, use the warm-air hand dryer instead of paper towels.
31. Buy remanufactured ink and toner cartridges.
32. Clean the lint filter in your dryer after every load.
33. Rent or borrow seldom-used items such as chain saws, ladders and party decorations.
34. Take your car to a carwash instead of washing it in the driveway.
35. Use the library instead of buying books and DVDs.
36. Have a clothing swap party.
37. Don’t preheat the oven or open it during cooking.
38. Opt out of receiving phone books and Yellow Pages.
39. Send e-cards in place of the traditional paper variety.
40. Use bar soap instead of liquid to save packaging and costs.
41. Skip the treadmill and walk or run outside instead.
42. Have your paycheck direct deposited.
43. Make your own cleaning supplies with non-toxic ingredients, such as baking soda and vinegar.
44. Download music and software instead of buying it on discs.
45. Opt for glass bottles instead of aluminum cans when you buy beverages.
46. Every time you toss something out, challenge yourself to think about how it might impact the planet, and see if you can think of ways to lower its impact, or buy less next time.
47. When remodeling, pick low-VOC paints and carpeting, light colored roofing, and windows and insulation with a high R-Value.
48. Plant shade trees by your home.
49. When remodeling install dual flush toilets and heating systems that heat from the floor up, instead of pushing air down.
50. Take only what you need.