SkywlkrSnd
08-21-2009, 06:21 PM
Many local governments are establishing recycling programs and promoting sustainable building for new construction. Businesses are finding ways to make their companies greener and more environmentally friendly. Some people have been living responsibly for years, and they have quite a few regular habits that everyone can easily adopt into their own lives in order to start making a difference.
Recycling
Recycling is a proven method of living responsibly. It saves energy, conserves resources, and reduces the amount of trash in landfills. It also conserves water and cuts down on air pollution. Many items can be recycled including different types of paper, aluminum cans, glass, plastic, and even electronic equipment. These are just a few, and complete lists can be found online or through environmental agencies. Recycling bins can be found in many buildings and large offices, and many local communities collect recyclables with the regular trash.
If there is no organized recycling program in your town, neighbors can work together to get one started. Often people do not recycle because they think it is inconvenient. But if you make it part of the community, more residents will recycle. And the more people do it, and the more you embrace it, you find the less of a hassle it really is.
There’s information available online that gives instructions on setting up a program and finding markets for the recycled goods. This is also a great project for volunteers or school groups.
Energy Conservation
Many large utility companies take measures to conserve energy, but there are things people can do at home to live responsibly and do their part to cut down on energy consumption.
One of the easiest actions is to replace old incandescent light bulbs with energy efficient CFLs and/or LED bulbs. Energy saving bulbs use less power and can be up to 90% more efficient than traditional bulbs, and they can last up to 60,000 hours, or almost seven years! That means they are changed less often, so less dead bulbs in the landfill.
Other responsible habits include using solar lighting, turning off electronic equipment and unplugging electrical items when they are not in use, and recycling textiles.
Getting off the grid, at least partially, is a great way to reduce your power load on the utility company. Probably the easiest method of doing this for the average homeowner is through the use of solar panels. And while solar technology could have its own article, there are a few excellent instructional sets available online that show how to build your own panels in less than a day and with about $200 in materials. Consumers report that they quickly recouped this investment in a few months with greatly reduced utility bills.
Water Conservation
Most people who pay for water have already adopted responsible habits such as shorter showers, turning off faucets, and replacing old water using appliances with Energy Star and low-flow products.
An exciting trend in water conservation is using rain barrels. Instead of using tap water, collect rain water in barrels and use it to maintain gardens and landscaping.
Being Mindful
There are hundreds of ways everyone can live more responsibly, but one of the simplest and by far most important habits to acquire is being mindful. Make your daily behaviors greener. Check out books from the library, and read their magazines. Don’t flush unused prescription drugs into the water system, dispose of properly. Walk or bike whenever you can, and trade-up to a fuel-efficient car. And talk with others. There are new ideas every day that we can use to live greener and more responsibility.
Recycling
Recycling is a proven method of living responsibly. It saves energy, conserves resources, and reduces the amount of trash in landfills. It also conserves water and cuts down on air pollution. Many items can be recycled including different types of paper, aluminum cans, glass, plastic, and even electronic equipment. These are just a few, and complete lists can be found online or through environmental agencies. Recycling bins can be found in many buildings and large offices, and many local communities collect recyclables with the regular trash.
If there is no organized recycling program in your town, neighbors can work together to get one started. Often people do not recycle because they think it is inconvenient. But if you make it part of the community, more residents will recycle. And the more people do it, and the more you embrace it, you find the less of a hassle it really is.
There’s information available online that gives instructions on setting up a program and finding markets for the recycled goods. This is also a great project for volunteers or school groups.
Energy Conservation
Many large utility companies take measures to conserve energy, but there are things people can do at home to live responsibly and do their part to cut down on energy consumption.
One of the easiest actions is to replace old incandescent light bulbs with energy efficient CFLs and/or LED bulbs. Energy saving bulbs use less power and can be up to 90% more efficient than traditional bulbs, and they can last up to 60,000 hours, or almost seven years! That means they are changed less often, so less dead bulbs in the landfill.
Other responsible habits include using solar lighting, turning off electronic equipment and unplugging electrical items when they are not in use, and recycling textiles.
Getting off the grid, at least partially, is a great way to reduce your power load on the utility company. Probably the easiest method of doing this for the average homeowner is through the use of solar panels. And while solar technology could have its own article, there are a few excellent instructional sets available online that show how to build your own panels in less than a day and with about $200 in materials. Consumers report that they quickly recouped this investment in a few months with greatly reduced utility bills.
Water Conservation
Most people who pay for water have already adopted responsible habits such as shorter showers, turning off faucets, and replacing old water using appliances with Energy Star and low-flow products.
An exciting trend in water conservation is using rain barrels. Instead of using tap water, collect rain water in barrels and use it to maintain gardens and landscaping.
Being Mindful
There are hundreds of ways everyone can live more responsibly, but one of the simplest and by far most important habits to acquire is being mindful. Make your daily behaviors greener. Check out books from the library, and read their magazines. Don’t flush unused prescription drugs into the water system, dispose of properly. Walk or bike whenever you can, and trade-up to a fuel-efficient car. And talk with others. There are new ideas every day that we can use to live greener and more responsibility.