Living Green

http://www.gogreen-save.
com/
Terms and Conditions

LEGAL NOTICE
The Publisher has strived to be as accurate and complete as possible in the creation of this report, notwithstanding the fact that he does not warrant or represent at any time that the contents within are accurate due to the rapidly changing nature of the Internet. While all attempts have been made to verify information provided in this publication, the Publisher assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions, or contrary interpretation of the subject matter herein. Any perceived slights of specific persons, peoples, or organizations are unintentional. In practical advice books, like anything else in life, there are no guarantees of income made. Readers are cautioned to reply on their own judgment about their individual circumstances to act accordingly. This book is not intended for use as a source of legal, business, accounting or financial advice. All readers are advised to seek services of competent professionals in legal, business, accounting and finance fields. You are encouraged to print this book for easy reading.
http://www.gogreen-save.com/
Table Of Contents
Foreword Chapter 1: Green Up Your Wash Chapter 2: Green Up Your Electricity Chapter 3: Green Up Your Food Chapter 4: Green Up Your Play Time Chapter 5: Recycle Chapter 6: Green Up Your Yard Chapter 7: Beef Up Your House Chapter 8: Green Up Appliances And Fixtures Chapter 9: Green Up Your Car Chapter 10: Stop Filling The Landfills
Foreword
The Earth has a fixed amount of natural resources - some of which are already consumed. So as population development greatly strains our finite resources, there are fewer resources useable. If we mean to leave our youngsters and grandchildren with the same standard of life we have savored, we must preserve the foundation of that standard of life. We save for college educations, dental orthopedics, and weddings, but what about saving fresh air, water, fuel sources and soil for future generations?
Living Green For A Better Tomorrow 10 Ways To Help Our Mother Earth
Chapter 1:
Green Up Your Wash
Synopsis
Most of us are completely aware of the need to use environmentally friendly products.
Wash It Right
The environment is a big issue and there are numerous areas that are being targeted by the "green movement" one of which is laundry. So take a moment to think about what you pour into your washing machine and how much energy you use washing clothes as well as drying them. Using cold water over hot water will save about 3 times the amount of energy used when washing. Some detergents are formulated to use hot water when washing, so stick to low chemical detergents which work fine with cold water. Use soap that works well in cold water and start your wash by filling the washer with water before adding the soap and then finally the clothes. Using a small amount of baking soda can also cut back the amount of detergent needed for a wash. A large amount of cleaning is a result of the agitation of the water and not by the detergent. Use a detergent that's environmentally friendly. There are many types of detergent but it is unclear which are natural and safe for the environment so you may have to do your own research. Don't be tricked by marketing-- check for yourself what is really in the detergent and what you're spending money on. If possible hang dry your clothes. Dryers use a large amount or electricity and money. Plus if you hang dry your clothes the fresh air and the sunlight naturally whitens them. Clothes will turn out cleaner since most stains are set in by the heat of the dryer. Front loading washers also save water. Always wash a full load- not just one or two items.
Chapter 2:
Green Up Your Electricity
Synopsis
Most of us are aware that we need to go green to help save our planet. There are some benefits to going green as well. Are you aware that you can save money by being environmentally friendly? The following are some tips on how you can easily save some cash by going green at home.
Save The Power
One of the easiest steps you can take to go green at home is to change your light bulbs. Using compact fluorescent light bulbs will consume less electricity than a conventional light bulb. This will lower your electric bill meaning more cash in your pocket while you do your part in bettering the environment. Get in the habit of taking shorter showers. Taking a shower for an hour will not get you any cleaner than taking one in just 10 minutes. This will use a great deal less hot water and consequently you will use less energy which will save you money on your water and energy bill. Turn things off when you are not present in the room. Theres no need to use power on something no one is around to use, do this and you will notice the amount of electricity you save and the amount of money you save. Keep things unplugged that aren't being used. For example, chargers for phones, electric heaters, or even your T.V. Even when youre not using these electronics they still consume power when they are plugged in. Unplugging them will save power as well as some cash for yourself. Don't preheat the oven for roasting. Don't keep opening the oven door. Every time you do so, your oven loses 15F of heat. In the winter, use the oven as a heater when possible by keeping the door open after you have cooked a meal. Make sure to turn the oven off before doing this to ensure safety. Use space heaters to heat only the rooms you're in (rather than a central system that heats the whole house), and turning off the heat when you're not home. Replace old appliances with newer, Energy Star models. Beware of Vampire power! aka standby power or things that use electricity even when they're off- like computers and plasma TVs.
For a two or more devices that will be on or off at the same time, use a simple power bar with a switch. For several devices that you want to switch separately, get a power strip with individual switches. While these are ubiquitous in other countries like Japan, they're hard to find in the U.S. For computer systems, you might like a Smart Strip. It's a special power strip that automatically cuts power to all your peripherals when you turn off your computer. Other Tips: Use a microwave to reheat food or to cook small portions. Although a microwave uses a lot of power, it does so over a very short time and so saves energy overall. Turn down your heating system thermostat. For every degree you lower your heat between 60 and 70 F you can reduce your heating bill by up to 5%. Wear an extra layer of clothing in the house so that you stay warm. Vacuum clean the condenser coils at the back or underneath your fridge freezer. Accumulated dust reduces their efficiency by up to 25% adding that cost to your electricity bill. Keep your fridge full, but not so full that air cannot circulate properly. Cool cooked food before you put it into the fridge. Fold clothes straight out of the tumble drier while they are still warm to save on ironing. Do not put uncovered liquids into the fridge. Their evaporation will make the fridge have to work harder. Heat only as much water as you require for drinks and cooking. If you keep forgetting, purchase an energy efficient eco kettle. Use a convection oven. A small fan inside circulates hot air throughout the oven cutting cooking times by up to 30%.
Chapter 3:
Green Up Your Food
Synopsis
The health of our environment greatly depends upon the choices we make to reduce toxic emissions and limiting the use of dangerous chemicals. Did you know that what's best for the environment is usually whats best for us as well? Read the following tips to learn how you can eat green and benefit from it as well.
What You Eat

Whenever possible buy locally grown produce. This will not only provide you will healthier fruits and vegetables but they will be fresher and taste better as well. Eating locally grown produce reduces the need for truck shipping which in turn will save massive amounts of gasoline per year and contribute to climate change. Cut back about a quarter of your total meat consumption. You don't have to give up your favorite meats, try cutting back the portion size or eat meat only at your evening dinner. 20-percent of the total greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere are thanks to the livestock industry. Enjoy eating your meat just try to cut back on it a little bit. Avoid processed food when choosing foods. The best way to go is with whole foods. You can easily distinguish whole foods from others by comparing them to their natural state. Non-homogenized milk, unpolished grains and raw fruits and vegetables are examples of whole food. When purchasing coffee buy shade-grown coffee when possible. Unknown to many their favorite morning drink may be responsible for destroying thousands of trees. New hybrid coffee bean plants grow on massive sunny plantations where thousands of acres of trees are taken from the land, killing the trees as well as the tropical birds that call them home. True heirloom coffee beans grow only in the shade. You can purchase shade-grown coffee online and do your part to save Mother Nature and those we share the world with. Many types of fish as caught that will be eaten along with many more that will be wasted. Fisherman will dispose of accidentally caught fish while trying to catch a certain type of fish. This waste of food and animal life is a disgrace but you can enjoy eating healthy fish and seafood by choosing varieties of fish that are not subject to large amounts of accidental catch. For example choose Pacific Albacore tuna but avoid fish such as Bluefin tuna. For a good guide go to Seafood Watch regional guides from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Web Site.
Chapter 4:
Green Up Your Play Time
Synopsis
Most of us are aware that we need to go green to help save our planet. There are some benefits to going green as well. Are you aware that you can save money by being environmentally friendly? The following are some tips on how you can easily save some cash by going green at home.
Play
It is very important to educate our children about the planets natural wonders and the how beautiful it is. A great way to teach your children about this is to have our children spend some time doing green" and eco-friendly activities. Spending time at a beach can be a fantastic way to engage kids in the ocean's beauty and the numerous specialized eco-systems that can survive only in the marine niches of our environment and nowhere else.
The beach is a perfect opportunity to spend some bonding time with your loved ones as well as enjoy the outdoors and you'll have to spend little money. Taking nature trips can also be a great way to have some green fun with the kids. For example, gather together a bunch of friends and their children. Load everyone up a head out into the woods, forests, deserts or another natural biome in your area. Spend time collecting some of the natural growths or objects that you can find in this area. Try making this a game so it can be educational as well as fun. Practice buying recycled goods when shopping this will educate you as well as your children.
If not already doing so start buying organic foods and teach the children to eat healthier and "green." Buy local grown produce as well. Not only will the produce taste fresher but growing locally also benefits the environment by reducing the amount of oil needed to transport the goods many miles away.
Show your children the natural beauty of animals by taking them exploring to watch wildlife. A day's trip to the local zoo (if your budget allows) will educate your children and they will have a blast. Enjoy the simple things in life. Try taking yourself and the children for a walk through the local park or somewhere with galleries displaying environmental themes.
Chapter 5:
Recycle
Synopsis
Synopsis
More than half of the total population in America has access to curbside recycling bins which collect certain types of plastics, paper and also glass. The following are a few steps to show you just how easy it can be to go green and recycle.
Recycle It Find an area in your home that is big enough for the required recycling bins and designate this area as your recycling area. If your neighborhood has a curbside recycling program, it will most likely provide you with recycling bins. Even if your neighborhood does not participate you may still use plastic bins, trash cans, or cardboard boxes to collect your reusable trash.
Your recycling bins should be separated into six categories. These categories include plastic, mixed-color paper, newspaper, cardboard, aluminum and tin. Start by placing small recycling bins in different rooms of your home if the recycling area is far away. The recyclables can be separated and recycled with your larger at the end of each week. Don't just throw your used grocery bags away! Collect them and drop them off at a grocery store near you for recycling. Collect all of your paper. You may need to have your white office paper, mixed-color paper and newspaper separated depending on your community's recycling program. Put all recyclable glass in the same bin. When doing this make sure to leave out ceramic, mixed-colored, broken glass, mirrors, windows, Pyrex, light bulbs and glass tableware for these are not recyclable. There are several different types of plastic.
Number 1 Plastics PET or PETE (polyethylene terephthalate) Found in: Soft drink, water and beer bottles; mouthwash bottles; peanut butter containers; salad dressing and vegetable oil containers; ovenable food trays. Recycling: Picked up through most curbside recycling programs.
Recycled into: Polar fleece, fiber, tote bags, furniture, carpet, paneling, straps, (occasionally) new containers PET plastic is the most common for single-use bottled beverages, because it is inexpensive, lightweight and easy to recycle. It poses low risk of leaching breakdown products. Recycling rates remain relatively low (around 20%), though the material is in high demand by remanufacturers.
Number 2 Plastics HDPE (high density polyethylene) Found in: Milk jugs, juice bottles; bleach, detergent and household cleaner bottles; shampoo bottles; some trash and shopping bags; motor oil bottles; butter and yogurt tubs; cereal box liners Recycling: Picked up through most curbside recycling programs, although some allow only those containers with necks. Recycled into: Laundry detergent bottles, oil bottles, pens, recycling containers, floor tile, drainage pipe, lumber, benches, doghouses, picnic tables, fencing HDPE is a versatile plastic with many uses, especially for packaging. It carries low risk of leaching and is readily recyclable into many goods.
Number 3 Plastics V (Vinyl) or PVC Found in: Window cleaner and detergent bottles, shampoo bottles, cooking oil bottles, clear food packaging, wire jacketing, medical equipment, siding, windows, piping Recycling: Rarely recycled; accepted by some plastic lumber makers. Recycled into: Decks, paneling, mudflaps, roadway gutters, flooring, cables, speed bumps, mats PVC is tough and weathers well, so it is commonly used for piping, siding and similar applications. PVC contains chlorine, so its manufacture can release highly dangerous dioxins. If you must cook with PVC, don't let the plastic touch food. Also never burn PVC, because it releases toxins.
Number 4 Plastics LDPE (low density polyethylene) Found in: Squeezable bottles; bread, frozen food, dry cleaning and shopping bags; tote bags; clothing; furniture; carpet Recycling: LDPE is not often recycled through curbside programs, but some communities will accept it. Plastic shopping bags can be returned to many stores for recycling. Recycled into: Trash can liners and cans, compost bins, shipping envelopes, paneling, lumber, landscaping ties, floor tile LDPE is a flexible plastic with many applications. Historically it has not been accepted through most American curbside recycling programs, but more and more communities are starting to accept it.
Number 5 Plastics PP (polypropylene) Found in: Some yogurt containers, syrup bottles, ketchup bottles, caps, straws, medicine bottles Recycling: Number 5 plastics can be recycled through some curbside programs. Recycled into: Signal lights, battery cables, brooms, brushes, auto battery cases, ice scrapers, landscape borders, bicycle racks, rakes, bins, pallets, trays Polypropylene has a high melting point, and so is often chosen for containers that must accept hot liquid. It is gradually becoming more accepted by recyclers.
Number 6 Plastics PS (polystyrene) Found in: Disposable plates and cups, meat trays, egg cartons, carry-out containers, aspirin bottles, compact disc cases Recycling: Number 6 plastics can be recycled through some curbside programs. Recycled into: Insulation, light switch plates, egg cartons, vents, rulers, foam packing, carry-out containers
Polystyrene can be made into rigid or foam products -- in the latter case it is popularly known as the trademark Styrofoam. Evidence suggests polystyrene can leach potential toxins into foods. The material was long on environmentalists' hit lists for dispersing widely across the landscape, and for being notoriously difficult to recycle. Most places still don't accept it, though it is gradually gaining traction.
Number 7 Plastics Miscellaneous Found in: Three- and five-gallon water bottles, 'bullet-proof' materials, sunglasses, DVDs, iPod and computer cases, signs and displays, certain food containers, nylon Recycling: Number 7 plastics have traditionally not been recycled, though some curbside programs now take them. Recycled into: Plastic lumber, custom-made products A wide variety of plastic resins that don't fit into the previous categories are lumped into number 7. A few are even made from plants (polyactide) and are compostable. Polycarbonate is number 7, and is the hard plastic that has parents worried these days, after studies have shown it can leach potential hormone disruptors. Some municipalities accept all types of plastic for recycling, while others only accept certain types of plastic. Ask your recycling center what they accept. More ambitious consumers can feel free to return such items to the product manufacturers to avoid contributing to the local waste stream, and instead put the burden on the makers to recycle or dispose of the items properly. Try using your yard trimmings as well as kitchen scraps to make compost (allowing plant materials to decompose) instead of just tossing them in the trash. Compost is very healthy for the soil in your garden or for houseplants.
Chapter 6:
Green Up Your Yard
Synopsis
Being eco-friendly is very important these days and keeping an environmentally friendly yard is just as important. When it comes to gardening, if you need something done there is most likely an organic solution for it. Follow these simple steps and do your part to go green.
The Yard When making a compost, make sure to include a mix of "brown" and "green" materials in your compost. "Brown" materials include materials such as leaves, wood chips and straw. Kitchen scraps and grass clippings however are "green" materials. You want to put about twenty-five times more of the "brown" materials than "green." For instance, mix 25 pounds of leaves, wood chips or straw to one pound of green materials. Items that can be composted- surprise: 1. Dryer lint 2. Dust bunnies 3. The insides of a vacuum bag (just empty the bag into the compost bin) 4. The contents of your dustpan (just use discretion) 5. Coffee grounds 6. Coffee filters 7. Tea bags/loose leaf tea 8. Soy/rice/almond milk 9. Nut shells (but not walnut, which may be toxic to plants) 10. Pumpkin/sunflower/sesame seeds (chop them to ensure they wont grow) 11. Avocado pits (chop them up so they wont sprout) 12. Pickles 13. Stale tortilla chips/potato chips 14. Stale crackers 15. Crumbs (bread or other baked goods) 16. Old breakfast cereal 17. Bran (wheat or oat, etc) 18. Seaweed/nori/kelp 19. Tofu/tempeh http://www.gogreen-save.com/
20. Frozen fruits and vegetables 21. Expired jam or jelly 22. Egg shells 23. Old, moldy soy dairy and other dairy substitutes 24. Stale Halloween candy and old nutrition/protein bars 25. Popcorn kernels (post-popping, the ones that didnt make it) 26. Old herbs and spices 27. Cooked rice 28. Cooked pasta 29. Oatmeal 30. Peanut shells 31. Booze (beer and wine) 32. Wine corks 33. Egg cartons (not Styrofoam) 34. Toothpicks 35. Q-tips (not the plastic ones) 36. Bamboo Skewers 37. Matches 38. Sawdust 39. Pencil shavings 40. Fireplace ash (fully extinguished and cooled) 41. Burlap sacks 42. Cotton or wool clothes, cut into strips 43. Paper towels 44. Paper napkins http://www.gogreen-save.com/
45. Paper table cloths 46. Paper plates (non wax- or plastic-coated) 47. Crepe paper streamers 48. Holiday wreaths 49. Balloons (latex only) 50. Raffia fibers (wrapping or decoration) 51. Excelsior (wood wool) 52. Old potpourri 53. Dried flowers 54. Fresh flowers 55. Dead houseplants (or their dropped leaves) 56. Human hair (from a home haircut or saved from the barber shop) 57. Toenail clippings 58. Trimmings from an electric razor 59. Pet hair 60. Domestic bird and bunny droppings 61. Feathers 62. Fish food 63. Aquatic plants (from aquariums) 64. Dog food 65. Rawhide dog chews 66. Ratty old rope 67. The dead flies on the windowsill 68. Pizza boxes and cereal boxes (shredded first)
69. Toilet paper and paper towel rolls (shredded first) 70. Paper muffin/cupcake cups 71. Cellophane bags (real cellophane, not regular clear plastic) 72. Kleenex (including used) 73. Condoms (latex only) 74. Old loofahs (real, not synthetic) 75. Cotton balls 76. Tampon applicators (cardboard, not plastic) and tampons without synthetics (including used) 77. Newspaper 78. Junk mail without plastic 79. Old business cards (not the glossy ones) 80. Old masking tape 81. White glue/plain paste You can keep the water in your yards soil as well by using mulch. You can either purchase mulch from a store or make your own from dry grass, crushed leaves, straw and wood chips. Before and after using the mulch be sure to moisten the ground well to ensure you benefit from its water holding capabilities. Use it in spots where you would like to control weed growth. Avoid fertilizers whenever possible. But if a fertilizer is needed use only organic fertilizers and use them only when you feel it's absolutely necessary. Apply to your yard just once before the start of the growing season. Try some natural recipes- for instance cheap beer makes a good fertilizer. Avoid all pesticides- they kill bees, beneficial insects and birds. And if bugs are a problem with your plants why not try an herbal pesticide with garlic spray.
The best things to plant are the native flora. These plants are low maintenance with less waste; less water and they become easier to take care of once they mature. As well these plants also create a natural home for native birds and other animals. If your area permits, try building a rain garden in your yard. A rain garden is a shallow depression that is planted with deep-rooted native plants and grasses. The garden should be positioned near a runoff source like a downspout, driveway or sump pump to capture rainwater runoff and stop the water from reaching the sewer system. During heavy rain falls and snow melts, the water runs into the rain garden in the lower level of the yard instead of on the streets and in the gutters. This prevents the water from picking up pollutants that damage our waterways. Install some rain tanks. A rainwater tank (sometimes called a rain barrel in North America, or a water butt in the UK) is a water tank used to collect and store rain water runoff, typically from rooftops via rain gutters. Rainwater tanks are devices for collecting and maintaining harvested rain. Rainwater tanks are installed to make use of rain water for later use, reduce mains water use for economic or environmental reasons, and aid self-sufficiency. Stored water may be used for watering gardens, agriculture, flushing toilets, in washing machines, washing cars, and also for drinking, especially when other water supplies are unavailable, expensive, or of poor quality, and that adequate care is taken that the water is not contaminated or the water is adequately filtered. In ground rainwater tanks can also be used for retention of stormwater for release at a later time. In arid climates, rain barrels are often used to store water during the rainy season for use during dryer periods.
Synopsis
Lately the planets health has been a big concern. As a result many suppliers of building materials are going "green," and making much of their products ecofriendly. As more of these materials become available to the market, prices are going down and the more of these products are being used. Use the following steps to learn about eco-friendly insulation and how to choose the right one for your home.
Get Your House In Order You can reduce your home's heating and cooling costs through proper insulation and air sealing techniques. These techniques will also make your home more comfortable. Any air sealing efforts will complement your insulation efforts, and vice versa. Proper moisture control and ventilation strategies will improve the effectiveness of air sealing and insulation, and vice versa. Therefore, a home's energy efficiency depends on a balance between all of these elements: Air sealing Insulation Moisture control Ventilation. A proper balance between all of these elements will also result in a more comfortable, healthier home environment.
Budgets are very important in any building project so you need to set a maximum budget. Many times choosing eco-friendly insulation for your home can put a variation in the budget. With a budget for the insulation fresh on the mind, shopping and comparing prices will be much simpler. Make sure to hire an eco-friendly builder and ask the builder for recommendations on environmentally friendly insulation. Also ask if you can get any type of discount on supplies for going through their company. After this you may want to do some research of your own. Explore all available options before purchasing your eco-friendly insulation. Think ahead about all the potential energy savings. Do some research on eco-friendly neighborhoods and do a comparison on energy consumption between these homes and those with standard fiberglass and you will see firsthand. Make sure to always evaluate installation costs and always remember these fees are going to be additional to those of the product itself. If your builder will not be installing the insulation himself, make certain to get the installation costs worked into the quote. Keep in mind that eco-friendly options are usually more expensive.
And dont forget the pipes. Insulating your hot water pipes reduces heat loss and can raise water temperature 2F4F hotter than uninsulated pipes can deliver, allowing for a lower water temperature setting. You also won't have to wait as long for hot water when you turn on a faucet or showerhead, which helps conserve water. Insulate all accessible hot water pipes, especially within 3 feet of the water heater. It's also a good idea to insulate the cold water inlet pipes for the first 3 feet. If your storage water heater doesn't have heat traps, you can save energy by adding them to your water heating system. They can save you around $15$30 on your water heating bill by preventing convective heat losses through the inlet and outlet pipes. Older water heaters may have leaks which let heat escape. To minimize this wrap the water heater with insulating blankets to trap in the escaping heat between uses.
Remember, the more that we buy these products the more the prices will come down. To give incentive to buy these products some energy companies and state and federal governments offer rebates for going green. Also, be certain to check with your homeowners insurance to see about premium savings you can get for going green.
Synopsis
Did you know that household appliances make up almost half of the average electric bill? Green household appliances work more efficiently with less energy so in the long run they are better for the environment and save you money as well.
Green It Look for home appliances with the "Energy Star" label which signifies a green appliance. Also pay close attention to the "Energy Star" rating s as w ell as the Energy Guide" tags. Get rid of old worn out appliances. Did you know appliances made after 1993 can be up to 99 percent more energy efficient than similar models made in 1980. If your appliance is at least a decade old and showing signs of wear and tear it's probably a good idea to start looking into green or energy efficient models. Remember, energy efficient appliances may be more expensive up front but in the long run they will likely pay for themselves will lower utility expenses. When the time comes for you to replace your old water heater, be sure to get one with a favorable Energy Factor (EF) rating. Refrigerators and freezers can be some of the biggest energy consumers especially when out dated. Up to date models use only 1/4 the energy that models from the 1970s consume. Find a greener appliance that has the freezer on top or on the bottom rather than on the side. Also, manual defrosts use less energy than the more convenient automatic defrost option. Use eco-friendly washing machines. Today's washing machines use less electricity as well 50 percent less water that previous washers. If at all possible get rid of the clothes dryer completely. Use a clothes line or hangers in an open area. If a dryer is needed though try one with sensors that can tell when the clothes are dry so you can be as energy efficient as possible.
Synopsis
Vehicles are a huge contributor to the pollution problem we have today. Changing driving habits and being cautious when buying a new car can greatly have a positive impact on our environment. With the way times are today many of us cant afford expensive gas saving cars, but what we can do is make wiser decisions with what we already have. The following are things to consider when purchasing a new car to be more environmentally friendly.
Check Your Auto If you can afford a hybrid, by all means get one. Or an all electric auto- if not, it's important to get the proper size vehicle for your needs when going green. For example, don't purchase the lifted SUV if the compact car will do just fine. A smaller, light weight car can use up to half the fuel of a larger vehicle like an SUV. Avoid unnecessary options that may come with the vehicle. Did you know that both power steering and air conditioning send harmful chlorofluorocarbons vapors into the air even without use? Another example is if you live somewhere that it is usually cold there isn't a need for air conditioning in your vehicle. For those who live in a cold climate, why pay extra for an air conditioning unit. But for those in hotter climates where it may be understandably necessary for air conditioning you may try having a device that recycles CFC's installed in your car by a professional. Light colored cars are a plus when going green as well as tinted windows because they will keep your car cooler in the hotter weather. When choosing tires you may want to consider purchasing radial tires. They are cost effective and improve over all miles per gallon. The less fuel burned the better for the environment. Speed Kills MPG Unfortunately, it's true. Your car's gas mileage decreases once it gets past its optimal speed. For most cars, this is around 55-60 mph. This means that every time you go over this speed, you're essentially wasting gas and money - and creating unnecessary greenhouse gases. You'd be surprised to learn that a slight decrease in your highway driving speed can significantly reduce your gas consumption, while only adding a few minutes to your travel time.
How much? According to studies backed by the department of energy, the average car will be at its advertised MPG at 55 mph. But as the speed increases: http://www.gogreen-save.com/
- 3% less efficient at 60 mph - 8% less efficient at 65 mph - 17% less efficient at 70 mph - 23% less efficient at 75 mph - 28% less efficient at 80 mph
What we really ought to be thinking about is fuel consumption, measured in gallons per milenot the customary miles per gallon Car-care tips that save gasFill up with a lower-octane gasoline. Don't top off. Tighten up that gas cap. Go for the shade. Use your garage for your car Pump up your tires. Check your tire pressure once a month. Keep your engine in tune. Replace air filters. Use the right oil. Don't skimp on maintenance.
Synopsis
Landfills are becoming extremely full and are polluting our air every day. We need to begin recycling more so we cut back the amount of trash that fills the landfills. Recycling also has other benefits such as saving energy and can even prevent harmful chemicals from contaminating our soil and water.
Stop
There are 7 billion people on our planet, each producing waste. The amount of waste combined between us all is immense. The best way and really the only practical way to keep out landfills from continuing to grow is to reduce, reuse and recycle. These are three simple things you can do to contribute to better tomorrow. Reduce the amount of things you waste. The next is to reuse anything possible. And last is recycle anything that can be recycled. Reduce/Reduction: to make something smaller or use less, resulting in a smaller amount of waste. "Source reduction" is reducing waste before you purchase it, or by purchasing products that are not wasteful in their packaging or use. A key part of waste "reduction" is "conservation"using natural resources wisely, and using less than usual in order avoid waste. You can practice reduction by selecting products that do not have to be added to landfills or the waste stream in general. This is really easy to do... First and foremost, buy and use less! If all the other people on the Earth used as much "stuff" as we do in the United States, there would need to be three to five times more space just to hold and sustain everybody.... WOW! So buy only what you need and use all of what you buy. Or make sure that when you are through with something, you pass it along to other people who can continue to put it to good use. This is especially important when it comes things that can be dangerous to our environment, such as paint and chemicals. Start making wise "package" selections. Why is it important to consider how something is packaged when you consider what to buy? You can reduce waste by selecting products that are not wasteful in their packaging. Flashy and fun packaging costs more, usually adds little or no value to the product, and (worst of all!) can do considerable harm to our environment by creating more waste or waste disposal difficulties. Keep the following package-related tips in mind no matter what you are buying: Precycle by purchasing products in materials/packaging that can be readily recycled. So whenever you have a non-perishable food products choice, put plain and recyclable packages high on your list to reduce packaging waste in our environment.
Avoid single-serve containers. You can buy juice or water in large recyclable bottles or cans and then divide it up in reusable, washable containers as you need it at home or to take with you. And if you want to take juice or water with you on your bike rides or to the gym, just take it along in your own reusable sports bottle. Before you buy bottled water, first find out if you really even need bottled water. City water (and clean well water) is usually just as healthy, much cheaper, and may even be safer than bottled water products. Refuse store bags! When you buy one or two items at a store, carry them out in your hands; or take a reusable bag with you to carry the items you buy. And don't forget to take your old plastic and paper bags back to the grocery store for reuse or recycling. Most grocery stores have convenient paper and plastic recycling bins located near the entrance. You can "reuse" materials in their original form instead of throwing them away, or pass those materials on to others who could use them too! Remember, one man's trash is another man's treasure! Here are some examples of reuse... Take along washable cups or travel mugs instead of disposables; a lot of restaurants and stores will be glad to fill or refill your own mug. When you do use disposables like plastic cups, plates, utensils, and plastic food storage bags, don't throw them away! Wash and reuse themmost of them will last for a long time with many uses. They may not cost much to replace, but it doesn't make any more sense to throw away those things than it does to throw away your bicycle after one use. And speaking of bicycles (or other durable goods like washers, dryers, etc.), why not repair them rather than replace them when they break? This is another form of "reuse." New is not always better, nor it is always necessary. You'll be helping your environment, but your pocketbook will thank you too! When you do decide to replace something large and "reusable," be sure to donate the old one to charitable outlets like Goodwill, Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, Vietnam Veterans, and the many others that are probably in your area. Most of the time the item can be repaired by those groups, and then redistributed into other homes rather than landfills.
Hold a yard sale or give-away. And ask your neighbors to join in, toothis shares the work and increases the number of unused things that can find new homes and new uses. And your local recycling/solid waste office may run a "swap shop" at recycling centers. When you do need to purchase something, check those yard sales and charitable outlets first to see if they have what you need before selecting something new. Use cloth gift bags and stop ripping the paper off gifts! If you remove the wrapping paper carefully, you can use it again, and there's nothing wrong with doing just that! And don't forget to use canvas or cloth bags when shopping so you don't need to make the choice between "paper or plastic." Use washable table napkins instead of paper napkinscloth napkins are usually much larger and more absorbent than paper products, and they can dress up your dinner table too! New baby? Buy washable cotton diapers (look for them at yard sales or charitable outlets). Check the yellow pages to see if there is a diaper service in your area. If you select those with Velcro wraps, reusable diapers are just as convenient and may even be cheaper than disposable diapers. Recycledont just toss everything in the trash. Lots of things (like cans, bottles, paper, and cardboard) can be remade into either the same kind of thing or new products. Making new items from recycled ones also takes less energy and fewer resources than making products from brand new materials. Just about anything in your home (or office or school, etc.) that cannot be reused CAN be recycled into something else. You'd be amazed what can be done with a recycled product! A recycled soda bottle, can be made into T-shirts, combs, or hundreds of other plastic goods that can be used for many years. Even your brand new computer case might be made from ordinary recycled plastics. And paper products can take on different forms as well; an old phone book or coloring book might become one of your school books or a notebook. Your recycling mission is not impossible! In fact, it is very simple: Don't throw away anything that can be recycled! Here is a list of things you may be able to recycle Aluminum cans http://www.gogreen-save.com/
Cardboard Electronic equipment Glass (particularly bottles and jars) Magazines Metal Newspaper Paper Plastic Bags Plastic Bottles Steel Cans Writing/Copy Paper Yard Waste (leaves, grass) Just ask your local recycling office (city, county, or state) about what can be recycled.
Wrapping Up
Now isn't that easy? There is so much that YOU can do with very little effort. And the best part is you will probably save yourself a lot of money while you are at it!
We need to work together to make the world better for our children and stop filling the landfills with things that couldve been recycled. Not only does recycling reduce waste and save power it also provides jobs, reduces the release of harmful gasses, conserve natural resources and keeps our planet healthy.
We need to take care of the Earth we live on. You have just heard about "going green"-but just how difficult is it? It may seem like an intimidating task, but this book has given you some simple tips that anybody can do-that will make a positive impact on our world.

Living Green

Transféré par

Informations du document

Description originale:

Copyright

Formats disponibles

Partager ce document

Partager ou intégrer le document

Options de partage

Avez-vous trouvé ce document utile ?

Ce contenu est-il inapproprié ?

Droits d'auteur :

Formats disponibles

Living Green

Transféré par

Droits d'auteur :

Formats disponibles

http://www.gogreen-save.

Terms and Conditions

Save The Power

What You Eat

Vous aimerez peut-être aussi