![]() ![]() ![]() Whenever possible, choose reusable bags over plastic ones destined for the dump.Cook creatively: Freeze what you don’t need and find ways to repurpose leftovers into new dishes. Avoid making impulse buys, which might happen if you shop while hungry. To avoid over-buying, make a list and stick to it. Somewhere between 25 and 40 percent of the food we buy ends up in the landfill. Being mindful to flip the switch will save energy and help your bulbs last longer. Turn off all unnecessary lights before you leave the house for the day.Instead of allowing your TV to glow at 100 percent capacity, enable the ABC feature to ensure that your TV will use only the amount of power necessary to give you an enjoyable viewing experience. Today’s digital TVs often have a feature called Automatic Brightness Control (ABC) that allows the screen’s brightness to adjust to the light levels of the room it’s in.LED bulbs can last up to 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs, saving you $100 or more over the lifetime of the bulb. An LED bulb uses just 10 watts of electricity to produce the same amount of light as its 60-watt incandescent counterpart. Swapping out older bulbs is a boon to the environment and your budget.To keep printed materials in order, choose paper clips, which are reusable, over staples. ![]() If you must print, make sure to choose your printer’s double-sided feature (if available)-you’ll use half as much paper.If you need a copy of a bill for your records, simply download it to your hard drive, or email it to yourself. Many companies now offer e-billing options to cut back on needless printing. Paper bills and notices can pile up, and most of them end up being thrown away or recycled.If you have electronics, like tablets or computers, that are still functional but are no longer needed, consider donating them to a school.Instead of tossing broken or obsolete electronics in the trash, take the time to find a certified E-Steward that will dispose of them responsibly. Millions of tons of consumer electronics are dumped into our landfills every year or shipped to countries that lack proper regulations regarding worker safety.To boost your mood while you clean, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the mix. A great all-purpose scrub can be made by mixing equal parts natural dish soap and baking soda with a bit of water. Avoid toxic ingredients in home cleaning products or make your own. Swap out throwaway mops for reusable ones, and use only as much cleaning product as you need to do the job.Using the fastest spin cycle saves energy in the washer and the dryer-the fast-spun clothes dry faster. Washing clothes in cold water keeps up to 15 gallons of water from being heated per load. Today’s detergents and washing machines are optimized for use with cold water.Here are some easy and inexpensive ways to make the most of your Earth Day momentum. But small changes can have powerful results too. Some choices boast big environmental benefits, like installing solar panels or buying a hybrid vehicle. Andrea Quigley Maynard: Finding Food FreedomĬelebrate Earth Day with Nontoxic Spring Cleaning and MoreĪpril is Earth Day month, a time when we find ourselves reflecting on our choices and how they affect the world at large.Tom Valovic: Natural Living in Chaotic Times. ![]()
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