Naima’s Tips for Living Green

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  • Install compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) when your older incandescent bulbs burn out.
  • Unplug appliances when you’re not using them. Or, use a “smart” power strip that senses when appliances are off and cuts “phantom” or “vampire” energy use.
  • Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible. As much as 85 percent of the energy used to machine-wash clothes goes to heating the water.
  • Use a drying rack or clothesline to save the energy otherwise used during machine drying.

       Save money by saving water

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  • Take shorter showers to reduce water use. This will lower your water and heating bills too.
  • Install a low-flow showerhead. They don’t cost much, and the water and energy savings can quickly pay back your investment.

       Better health and  more money with less fuel consumption

• • Walk or bike to work. This saves on gas/ petrol and parking costs while improving your cardiovascular health and reducing your risk of obesity.

  Eat smart and eat green

  • If you eat meat, add one meatless meal a week. Meat costs a lot at the store-and it’s even more expensive when you consider the related environmental and health costs.
  • Eating vegetables twice a week increases your body metabilsm and helps keep you active all day long
  • Buy locally raised, humane, and organic meat, vegetables,  eggs, and dairy whenever you can. Purchasing from local farmers keeps money in the local economy but it also reduces your secondary carbonfoot prints

   

  Drink Smart and reduce waste

  • 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.
  • Bring a reusable water bottle, preferably aluminium or glass  rather than plastic, with you when travelling or at work.Plastic bottles develop cancerous germs if left in the sun for more than two hours.

   

  Read books, watch movies , and save money

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

   Buy smart.

  • Buy in bulk. Purchasing food from bulk bins can save money and packaging.
  • Wear clothes that don’t need to be dry-cleaned. This saves money and cuts down on toxic chemical use.
  • Invest in high-quality, long-lasting products. You might pay more now, but you’ll be happy when you don’t have to replace items as frequently (and this means less waste!).

   Green Electronics 

        Keep your cell phones, computers, and other electronics as long as possible.

• Donate or recycle them responsibly when the time comes.
• Recycle your cell phone.
• Ask your local government to set up an electronics recycling and hazardous waste collection event.

Drive Green

• Buy cars that use less fuel and run more.

• Stop driving your car to work everyday, instead carpool sometimes or use public transport.

•  Improve the environment at your work place and don’t store items forever. Give away, keep your area clean.

 Make your own cleaning supplies.

• The big secret: you can make very effective, non-toxic cleaning products whenever you need them. All you need are a few simple ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, lemon, and soap.
• Making your own cleaning products saves money, time, and packaging-not to mention your indoor air quality

Many more tips coming soon..........