Happy Earth Day!

I googled "simple ways to go green", and found several tips. Here's a list of the ones I personally do, and I find they don't really take that much extra effort on my part:

1. Use rechargeable batteries.

2. Adjust freezer & refrigerator temps (keep the fridge at 37° F. and the freezer at 0° F).

3. Consider using compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs). They cost a bit more than regular bulbs, but you'll lower your electric bill and pay less in the long run.

6. Recycle! Your trash is someone else's treasure! Check out http://www.freecycle.org/ and http://www.earth911.org/.

7. Buy a laptop (they use less energy than desktops).

8. Get off the junkmail list (Register with the Direct Marketing Association's Mail Preference Service (dmaconsumers.org) and you'll see a significant reduction in mail after three months).

9. Double up on printing. Configure your printer so it prints on both sides of the paper or use the other side of paper you would otherwise be recycling.

10. Tote your own grocery bag. Most places like Dollar Tree or Walmart sell re-useable grocery bags for $1 or less.

11. Switch to organic products (I try to buy at least organic fruits & veggies).

12. Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible.

13. Set your thermostat a few degrees lower in the winter and a few degrees higher in the summer to save on heating and cooling costs.

14. Use a water filter to purify tap water instead of buying bottled water. Not only is bottled water expensive, but it generates large amounts of container waste.

15. Use a reusable water bottle.

16. Check out garage sales, thrift stores, and consignment shops for clothing and other everyday items.

17. Borrow from libraries instead of buying personal books and movies. This saves money, not to mention the ink and paper that goes into printing new books.

18. Share power tools and other appliances. Get to know your neighbors while cutting down on the number of things cluttering your closet or garage.

19. Wear clothes that don't need to be dry-cleaned. This saves money and cuts down on toxic chemical use.

20. Keep your cell phones, computers, and other electronics as long as possible. Donate or recycle them responsibly when the time comes.

Wow, I can't believe how long that list got, several of them I didn't even realize I was doing! And there are so many other things I could be doing, like making my own cleaning products and using a low-flow showerhead.

Find more great ways to go green here, here, and here.