Green Tips Archive
August 2008
- Coffee drinker? Used coffee grounds make a great fertilizer for plants that thrive in acidic soil, like rhododendrons or azaleas. Sprinkle coffee grounds and eggshells around the base of plants to repel ants, snails, and slugs.
- Don't be caught with dryer sheets stuck to your pants. Reuse them for dusting and removing pet hair from furniture.
- Watch out for vampires. Smart strips can sense when electronics are idle and cut off the power flow. While you're awaiting the arrival of your new smart strip, you can accomplish the "smart" part by simply unplugging unused appliances yourself.
- Keep your summer green by going on low-impact, local vacations. Bike or walk a regional trail to cut carbon emissions and save gas money. Switch homes with a friend for an easy change of scenery. Visit an organic farm in your area to see where that organic produce is grown, and then buy some to enjoy a picnic at your nearest local park.
- The next time you get business cards printed, ask the printer about recycled content paper and soy-based ink. Not only are you he helping the environment, but you'll be showing your eco-friendly commitment.
- Recycle it! Sell your plastic wrappers and yogurt containers to be reused into shopping bags or packaging.
- Getting Married? Create a wedding Web site where you can manage maps, registry information, RSVPs, and guestbooks—all while saving on postage and paper. You can save money and resources by putting it all online. You can upload photos, transfer files, and manage seating arrangements, allowing you to spend less time preparing for your wedding.
- Can I recycle that metal can? Use a magnet to see if the material is attracted. If so, it most likely can be recycled.
- We spend billions of dollars each year on gift wrap. Instead of using wrapping, try the Sunday comics. Plus, newspapers can often be recycled with the rest of your paper or composted.
- Don't rush household chores. Try to wait until your washing machine and dishwasher are full before running them. If your washing machine has variable load control, you can adjust the water level to correspond with the size of the load. Don't pre-rinse dishes before stacking them in the dishwasher, and if you wash dishes by hand, fill up the sink or dishpan rather than allowing the water to run continuously.
- Use a little color to spot toilet leaks. You can save as much as 200 gallons of water a day by fixing toilet leaks. To spot a leak, put a few drops of food coloring in the tank, wait 15 to 30 minutes, then check the bowl. If you see food coloring, you have a leak.
- Care for yourself with care. Keep the faucet off when brushing your teeth or shaving, and try to take shorter showers. Ideally, only stay in the shower for five minutes or less if you can swing it. When taking a bath, close the drain before turning the water on, and fill the tub half as full as you normally do.
- Update showerheads, toilets, and faucets as needed. Showerheads made after January 1994 use a maximum of 2.5 gallons of water a minute, as opposed to 8 gallons a minute with older showerheads. Since 1994, Congress has mandated that newly manufactured toilets can use a maximum of 1.6 gallons of water per flush, as opposed to 3.5 gallons in the past. If you have older toilets and a family of four, you may be using 11,000 more gallons of water than necessary each year. Low-flow sink faucets can also contribute to cost savings, as can simple repairs of leaky faucets. Replacing the washers on a leaky faucet can save you anywhere from 20 to 13,000 gallons of water a day, depending on the magnitude of the leak and your water pressure.
- Be careful with hoses. Opt for pistol-style nozzles on your outdoor water hoses because they shut off automatically. Keep the water turned off at the spigot to avoid leaks.
- Water wisely. Water your lawn during the coolest times of the day to reduce evaporation. Also, don't let your sprinkler waste a lot of water on sidewalks and driveways. Don't cut your lawn too short—the grass won't be able to hold as much moisture if you do. To find specific water restrictions that may apply where you live, contact your city, county, or water management district.
- Brooms are our friends. Instead of cleaning sidewalks, driveways, and outdoor steps with a hose, sweep them with a broom. If you hose them down, you’ll use about 50 gallons of water every five minutes.
- Wash your car carefully. Fill up a bucket of water rather than letting the hose run continuously. By keeping the hose off between rinses, you can save up to 150 gallons of water.
- Remember your pool. If you have a pool, cover it when it's not in use to lessen evaporation. Keep the pool filled a little bit lower than normal, and try to avoid fountains or water ornaments that don't use recycled water.
- Get acquainted with your water meter. Spot system leaks by turning off all faucets and appliances that use water for half an hour. Take a reading at the beginning and end of the 30-minute period. If the dial moves, you'll know that you have a leak in one or more of your pipes.
- When deciding on a place to live, think about proximity to bus stops and how convenient it is to walk to common destinations (such as work and the bank).
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