Going “green” means to save the earth as well as save money while you do it. How can you do it? Going green is actually easier than what you think. Every little thing that you do every day can be helpful for reducing greenhouse gases, reducing our carbon footprints, and conserving the environment. We should think of saving the earth as our privilege and not just our responsibility. Below are 10 things you can do to save our earth and go greener.

1. Recycle:

Recycling your household trash can significantly reduce pollution. Just make a habit of throwing your household waste in separate bins, so that they can be reused or rebuilt. There is a wide variety of household stuff that can be recycled. The things that you use every day such as your soda cans or bottles, old electrical appliances, batteries, electronics, old phones, wires, cables, furniture, cloths, paper, and so on. Use a product that uses the least amount of material for packaging. Recycling household waste can reduce pressure on mining for raw materials. Also buy products made from recycled materials.

2. Compost:

Composting your kitchen waste can provide great fertilizer for your lawn and kitchen garden. The benefits of composting and recycling your kitchen waste goes beyond your garden. Think about the environmental benefits. You can instantly reduce the number of garbage bags you send to the landfill. You will also reduce the toxic gases that are produced and released in the environment at the landfill. Your compost will instantly make the soil rich in nutrients and regenerate the soil. You can save money on garbage bags, fertilizers, while you save the environment from toxic chemicals in the soil.

3. Make your home more energy efficient:

There are many little things you can do to make your house more energy efficient. You can see the reflection of your efforts on your utility bills. Change all the light bulbs in your house to energy efficient CFL light bulbs. CFLs last ten times longer than a standard filament bulb and uses one third of the energy. You can also replace all other older appliances in your house and replace them with energy efficient ENERGY STAR products. Seal your home well and make it better insulated so that the heating and cooling doesn’t escape your house. Invest in a digital, programmable thermostat that can prove to be more energy efficient and save you money in the long run. Changing and servicing your heating and cooling systems regularly will ensure that no energy is lost, and making sure that your heating and cooling systems don’t over work.

4. Unplug & Turn off the lights

Unplug your appliances when not in use and turn off your lights, computers and other electronic devices at night, when they are not in use. It only takes a second to become environmentally conscious.

5. Take showers not baths

Take showers instead of baths because almost twice as much water is wasted when you take a bath. Taking showers will not only reduce water consumption and wastage, but also the energy associated in heating the water.

6. Plant a tree

The simple act of planting trees can help our planet in many ways. Trees help to remove carbon dioxide from the environment and reduce greenhouse effects. Trees also help landscape to fight against soil erosion due to floods and wind. Trees provide food, shelter, shade and clean air for the atmosphere, making the earth cooler and sustainable.

7. Buy local food & Grow your own

Buying local food helps your local farmers, helps reduce carbon footprint and helps the local economy. Think about all the resources wasted when the food is transported from farms to your table. A considerable amount of energy is needed for transportation, packaging, marketing and storage. You can significantly lower your carbon footprint, support your family and your local farmers if you buy locally or grow your own food.

8. Carpool, use public transportation & ride your bike

Share vehicles whenever you can. Ride the public transports more often and ride your bike to work, school, and supermarket. Carpooling and using the public transport can reduce emission and also help you economically.

9. Keep your vehicle in tip top shape

Maintaining your vehicle can give you a smoother ride for longer, reducing carbon emission, fuel consumption and improving mileage. It will give you economic and environmental benefits in the long run. Check your vehicle for emission regularly, inflate tires properly and tune get regular tune-up and oil changes. Also make sure to dispose your oil, old batteries and old tires safely.

10. Donate to your local charities

We do not think about our unwanted items much. It either takes up space in our storage area, garages, attics, and basement or it ends up at the landfill. Your unwanted items can be worth a lot of money and can help support the poor in your local community. You can donate any items to the charitable organizations such as clothes, your old appliances, your old automobile and many more. Your donations can transform lives, feed the hungry, and help orphanages and old shelters.

If you can change the way you do things every day, it can help reduce the global impacts and make a big difference in the long run.

We are excited to have Janie Gianotsos, as our next Huddle guest, Director of Marketing & Community Relations at the Food Bank of the Rockies. She will be discussing the very real problem that hunger is right here in the USA and what their vital organization is doing to help the “one in seven Coloradans [who] worry where they will find their next meal.” We will also get to know Janie better and learn about the life path that led her to where she is today. Please register and watch our Bi-Weekly huddle webinar with Janie Gianotsos,

Source: Environmental Professionals Network