Simple Tips

Look into community based tourism projects for your next family vacation. See a new country & experience a new culture. Save on fertilizer. After you mow, leave your grass clippings on the lawn to provide a healthy nitrogen boost. When staying in hotels help minimize water and energy use by reusing towels and sheets. Start a garden (even if only in pots). Enjoy watching something grow and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Spraying soapy water on your plants will get rid of aphid problems without harming the environment, wildlife, pets, or children. Consider the benefits of solar powered camping gear. When camping and picnicking, use reusable tableware to save on cost and waste. Consider a house swap for your next vacation. Save $ and natural resources. Save money and energy by line drying some of your clothes instead of using the dryer. Switch your incandescent bulbs to florescent and save $ and energy. Replace the can and frozen habit by purchasing fresh, organic fruits and veggies. Spring is in the air. Go for a walk, a hike or a bike ride. Choosing a battery type alarm clock over an electrical model can help save energy. Do more than your part. Give recyclable containers a quick rinse and air dry before putting them in the recycling bin. Carpool or take public transportation to work, school or just to run errands one day per week. With the right solar energy system you could avoid ever paying another electrical bill. Investigate what is offered in your area. A broom and dustpan is a low energy, environmentally friendly alternative to a vacuum. Avoid aerosol room fresheners. Salt can serve as a natural odor neutralizer. Keeping your light bulbs dust free can help save energy. Increasing their output will make them more efficient. Keep a healthy snack with you. By avoiding the fast food chain you reduce waste from disposable containers. Besides buying locally, the next best choice is online. You´ll save gas, $ and time. The world is at your fingertips. Try to avoid using more detergent than you need to get your clothes clean. Overdosing can cause your washer to work harder. Support your local stores. You’ll save time, energy and $ by purchasing your needs closer to home. The more your car has to carry around the more fuel it uses. Make sure your trunk is free of extra weighty items. Ask yourself before each purchase if the item is a need or luxury. Simply living lighter can be a real luxury. Clean out your fridge regularly to reduce the amount of food and drink it has to keep cold and therefore save energy. Unplug your microwave when not in use to eliminate the constant energy draw. Rinse your razor in a few inches of warm water in the basin instead of running water. If you’re shopping for a new computer, consider a laptop. Laptops use up to 90% less energy than desktops. Volunteer at a local Earth Day function. Learn more at: www.simplegreen.com/community_social.php Try to plan your outings for times when there is less traffic. It will be more enjoyable and you will save time and fuel. Read labels. Check to see if your purchases are the best choice for you and the safe choice for the environment. Clogged air filters can reduce your car´s efficiency and cause it to use up to 10% more fuel. Thinking about a second vehicle? Consider a scooter, motorbike or motorized bicycle. Spend less money and use less gas. Save paper and ink by using smaller fonts, thinner margins and single spaced lines. Make a game of recycling & help your children understand the importance by separating recyclables into categories. Soaking pots and pans with stubborn food remains will save on wash time, water waste and elbow grease. Try to buy your cleaning products in concentrated form whenever possible. Rake up dead leaves instead of using a blower or hose. Turn off your engine if you are going to be sitting for five minutes or more. Reduce waste. Use your computer to send and receive faxes. Save energy and create your own fun. Have a no TV week at home. Instead, play board games, share stories or pick-up a great book. Using a handkerchief for that runny nose is kinder to your nose and helps reduce waste. Reversing the blade direction of your ceiling fan during the winter can help circulate warm air. By using your toaster oven for smaller baking needs you use ½ the energy your conventional oven would. Heavy load: Wash only when you have a full load to save on h20, energy and products. Drive less. When you can, consolidate errands, carpool or use public transportation. By covering your TV & stereo when not in use, you prevent them from taking in dust, which can affect their efficiency. Reuse your envelopes whenever possible by opening them carefully and re-labeling them. Setting your work equipment on sleep mode can save you energy and money. Invest in a battery charger and choose rechargeable alkaline manganese batteries. Do a home draft audit. Hold a candle next to your door and window frames to see if there may be a gap that should be plugged. Nothing but water - Eliminate washer fluid during tune-ups & oil changes. Save on cost and help protect the environment. If your home is well insulated you should be able to turn the heat down before climbing under the covers. Just say no to nuke. Think ahead, avoid the microwave and defrost overnight in the fridge. Boiling over! Only boiling as much water as you really need saves on H2O and energy. Check your refrigerator door regularly to insure your seal is tight. This will reduce energy waste. Empty your lint filter after every dry cycle to reduce energy used for the next load. Avoid to-go containers. Save on waste, relax and enjoy more meals in, instead of on the go. Have your home heating system serviced regularly to insure safety and efficiency. CDs require plastic and paper to produce and take up space. Downloading music is the environmental choice. Keep a pitcher of cold water in the fridge so you can avoid water waste while waiting for it to turn cold from the faucet. Conserve energy. When cooking, keep a lid on it. Motion sensored lights can save on energy and costs. They are also very convenient. Opting to not receive your receipt when at the ATM or gas pump saves on paper and helps eliminate waste. To eliminate the possibility of water contamination, bring your meds back to the pharmacy; never flush or trash them. Enjoy a breath of fresh air. Walking short distances saves on gas and pollution. Don’t be a drip. Fix those leaks and dripping faucets to help conserve H2O. Get fresh - Eat only fresh fruits and veggies today. Save energy and help your appliance efficiency: Set the refrigerator to 37° F - 40° F and freezer to 0° F - 5° F. Switch your credit card bills to receive e- statements. Remember to use the timer on your TV or stereo if you are in the habit of falling asleep to entertainment. Be careful not to leave a trail. Careless littering can cause harm to the environment. Keep a box near your office printer to recycle documents that can be printed on again. Save money and cut down on packaging waste. Choose concentrated or bulk powdered dishwashing soap over tablets. Many foods come in jars and containers that can be reused again for other storage needs. Think before you toss. Make your own note pads out of scrap paper. Reduce waste by replacing your disposable coffee filters with a reusable wire mesh type. Odd shaped fruits and veggies generally taste the same. By choosing them you can save them from being tossed away. Allowing your hair to dry naturally is not only better for your hair, but saves $ time & energy. Whenever possible use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway, patio and paths. Some solvents used in dry-cleaning are toxic. Many dry cleanable items can be hand washed. Thoroughly check your computer document before you print to prevent waste of paper and ink. Eat before you shop. You’ll buy less if you’re not hungry, which will cut down on costs and food waste. Take reusable and/or cloth bags when shopping. Only run the dishwasher when full. Save water and energy by filling space in your toilet tank with a jug full of pebbles. Fill your sink to wash dishes instead of running the water. Wipe down the rings of your electric cook top with a damp cloth (when cool) to insure heating efficiency. Create a home shut down routine - lights, appliances, electronics & chargers. (Don’t forget a kiss goodnight). If you need to leave lights on while you´re away, be sure to use timers and energy efficient bulbs. While at work, use a reusable cup at the coffee maker and the water cooler to cut down waste and product cost. Installing sprinklers? For greener grass and more green for you, consider drip irrigation instead. Be safe. Driving at 55 instead of 70 is safer and provides 25% more fuel efficiency. Make room for the lovely gifts received over the holiday season by donating some gently used items. By using a bucket and sponge when washing your car, instead of the hose, you can save up to 20 gallons of H2O. Wipe down your aluminum foil and reuse it if possible, or recycle it. Car rental need? Rent a hybrid. Less gas saves $ and the carpool lane saves time. Modern engines don’t need time to warm up. Get going and avoid air pollution. Unplug. Some electrical appliances can use the same amount of energy in standby as when being used. Purchase your holiday greeting cards from a non-profit organization or a company that uses recycled paper goods. If choosing prefab logs, try the ones made from recycled coffee grounds. Make garland for your mantle or stairway out of all the lovely cards you are receiving. Purchase a potted holiday tree. From the heart and the hands - Try making your holiday presents this year. When possible, choose products with less packaging when purchasing this holiday season. Get every last bit. Squeeze, cut, turn upside-down and water down your beauty products before deeming them empty. Put on a sweater, cover up with a soft blanket or cuddle up before you turn that heater up. Paying bills online can save on time and paper waste. Recycle with efficiency by crushing your cans before putting them in their proper bins. Cut up your old towels, sheets and T"s to use for cleaning and car wash rags. When recycling your glass bottles and containers, be sure to remove lids, caps and corks. Remember the three R’s - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Replace your aerosol products by choosing a reusable pump container option of the same product. Whenever possible sweep down your driveway rather than using the hose. Save on water and run off effects. Take a weekend field-trip to a favorite park and bring along a bag for a trash scavenger hunt. Schools are hungry for free art supplies. See what can be recycled for their use - bottles, cans, paper, magazines, boxes etc. Save time, energy and transportation costs by consolidating your errand running into a weekly trip. To ward-off hand delivered advertisements & junk mail, place a no junk mail sticker or sign on your box. Squash your trash and minimize landfill space and bag waste. Not to mention the number of walks to the can. Simply be Thankful! Happy Thanksgiving! Choose organic. The benefits to your body and the environment far out weight the slight cost increase. Let nature get rid of ants, by sprinkling red pepper or coffee grounds at their source. Opt to shower. Showering conserves 1/3 more water and energy than bathing. Stop junk mail waste. Call your credit card companies and ask them to stop sharing your mailing information. Switch to florescent bulbs. They last 10 times longer than regular bulbs. Buy reusable batteries. You´ll save $ and energy use. Use a home H20 filter to get that bottled water taste right from your tap. Save $ and plastic bottle waste. A low-flow showerhead can help cut down on water waste. To insure safety and economy, check tire pressure and adjust, as needed, on a regular basis. Cut on waste and fancy up your table. Use cloth napkins instead of paper. Look to purchase more recycled everyday items, such as paper towels and copy paper. Purchase a washable lunch tote for the kids. Conserve by turning the water off while brushing your teeth or shaving. Switch off the dry cycle on your dishwasher to save energy. Don’t let jack-o-lanterns go to waste. Compost your pumpkins. Remember to remove shells, wax and foil first. Whenever possible run your clothes washer on the cold or warm settings instead of hot. Read your daily newspaper on line today. Save some energy and have some fun. Enjoy a candle lit dinner. Save printer ink, paper and $ by setting your printer to draft mode and printing your docs double-sided.