10 Ways to Go Green

by Vern on July 16, 2010

in General

Kermit always said it wasn’t easy being green, but thankfully this isn’t the case. There are things you can do in your everyday like that are simple, easy and cost efficient. Follow these 10 easy steps to help the environment.

1. Stop buying water

bottled water 10 Ways to Go Green

Bottled Water

If you don’t have the luxury of having well water, buying a water filtration system can turn your tap water into pure Heaven. It may seem expensive at first, but think off all the money you’ll be saving by not buying bottled water. Some reusable water bottles only cost a few bucks and are so much better for the environment.

2. Containers not plastic baggies

plastic bags 10 Ways to Go Green

Plastic Bags

If you brown bag it at work, try putting your sandwich in a reusable plastic container instead of a plastic baggie. Not only will these lighten the load when it comes to plastic in dumps, but your sandwich won’t end up squished in your lunch bag.

3. Buy food with less packaging

food packaging 10 Ways to Go Green

Food Packaging

Sometimes it seems that everything we eat is either triple wrapped or packaged in individual servings for convenience, which can create so much more garbage than is needed. Trying being conscious of food packaging. For example, buying a large yogurt and a reusable container is better than buying individual yogurts.

4. Environmentally friendly cleaning products

environmentally friendly cleaning products 10 Ways to Go Green

Environmentally Friendly Cleaning Products

There used to be a time when environmentally friendly cleaning products cost an arm and a leg. Luckily, there are products on the market that are not only better for you, your house and the environment, but they won’t break the bank.

5. Lights off

lights off 10 Ways to Go Green

Lights Off

If you aren’t in a room, do you need the light on? Not really. Get into the habit of turning off lights that aren’t being used. Ditto for electronics. And while we’re talking lights, make sure that when you do have lights on, they are energy saving bulbs. These light bulbs will not only save energy, but also money.

6. Opt out of plastic

resusable bags 10 Ways to Go Green

Reusable Bags

There are so many cool and funky reusable shopping bags on the market there really isn’t the need to still be using plastic. If you find you’re always forgetting your reusable bags at home, opt for a style that folds into itself and can be stored in a purse or pocket.

7. Electric bike conversion

electric bike conversion 10 Ways to Go Green

Electric Bike Conversion

If work is close enough that you really don’t need to drive there but the distance is too far to walk, why not bike? Don’t want to get all sweaty and hot before work? No problem. Purchase an electric bike conversion kit and turn your regular bike into an electric bike. Easy on the environment, you can get to work on time without all the huffing and puffing with a regular bike.

8. Walk on weekends and evenings

walking 10 Ways to Go Green

Walking

If you need to go to a store, local park or café that’s within walking distance, walk it! Don’t want to be all out of breath when you get there? Since you’ve already souped-up your bike with an electric bike conversion kit, you’ll be all set.

9. Open a window

open window 10 Ways to Go Green

Open Window

Depending on the time of year and where you live, there could be a great strain on your utilities during certain times of the day. This can cause brown-outs and in some cases black-outs. If it’s breezy, turn off the AC and open a window or two. And try hand washing your dishes rather than running the dishwater. Little changes can make a big difference.

10. Recycle

recycle 10 Ways to Go Green

Recycle

If recycling isn’t mandatory where you live it doesn’t mean you can’t do it. Food containers, pop bottle, plastic bags and cans don’t need to end up at the dump. They all can and should be recycled.

This guest post is by Vern Marker who writes about the importance of being environmentally friendly, with special emphasis on new technologies such as electric bike conversion kits.

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{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }

Ezekiel from Forex Trading July 19, 2010 at 10:56 pm

I have been wanting to go green for a while and your post gave me the ideas to do so. thanks.

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Vern July 28, 2010 at 1:44 pm

You’re welcome! I hope you are able to implement some of these ideas right away!

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Dave July 25, 2010 at 1:23 am

Great post! Love the ideas. What’s great about most of these are that they are easy to implement in order to “go green.” Thanks!
Dave´s last [type] ..Response cached until Mon 26 @ 7:20 GMT (Refreshes in 23.96 Hours)

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Susan from Kids Rooms July 26, 2010 at 1:24 pm

I’m trying so hard to kick the bottled water habit! But I like it really cold, and the dispenser in my freezer takes FOREVER (I think I need to check the saddle tap). I think I must be killing the planet with as much bottled water as I drink :(

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Vern July 28, 2010 at 1:46 pm

What about getting the reusable bottles, and freezing them?

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Ray from Homes for Sale in Welling Estates Flower Mound July 28, 2010 at 10:49 am

Twitter: @ricerealtygroup

This are some very good ideas. The Real Estate market is definitely trying to get green. It is really hard here in Texas to try to open the window during the summer months but the winter time I never have to run my heater. Thanks again…Ray

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Vern July 28, 2010 at 1:47 pm

That’s one great idea. We have been lucky and been on a cool(er) snap, so we’ve been using less a/c at home and doing the windows at night. It saves the environment AND your wallet from the electric bill.

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Erica from home furnishings July 30, 2010 at 4:50 am

Walking to prevent pollution is a great idea, both from environment and health point of view. I will try to implement all these for sure.

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Free Ads July 31, 2010 at 2:27 am

Twitter: @post_free_ad

But, I don’t know why, bottled water (not all) always taste better than tap water. I have tried filtered tap water but the taste is not good. I think most municipalities add too much chlorine in the tap water.
Free Ads´s last [type] ..Torrox Costa Apartment

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mattress cover August 1, 2010 at 6:08 am

most of us can do easily at least 8 steps described
so lets start doing so right now and help the environment
nice post
best regards
mattress cover´s last [type] ..Response cached until Sun 1 @ 22:00 GMT (Refreshes in 9.97 Hours)

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Anna from Park Homes August 2, 2010 at 3:01 am

Twitter: @ukLLiving

Such awesome ideas! they are so practical and easily doable! Even living in park homes is a greener way to live. I think the bottled water should come with warning signs like ‘say NO to plastic for a greener environment’ similar to what they have on cigarette packs which says ‘tobacco is hazardous to health’.

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Kerny from Zelda August 2, 2010 at 11:07 am

Well, I never buy bottled water in the first place unless I’m on holiday and the water supplies there are not good. I have never understood why people buy bottled water lol, it’s a waste of money. If you want cool water then just fill a large container and put in your fridge/freezer.

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Fineh from Orlando DUI Lawyer August 5, 2010 at 2:43 am

As one of the intelligent creature here in Earth we are also responsible of preservation of our environment and now we must move as global warming arises, this is the time to act and be environment friendly, it’s time to revamp the green in you!

This post was really interesting and it’s really helpful, those ten ways to be green will really help each individuals to go green. Just like what you say, in simple things we can contribute for the sustainability of the Earth.Your tips is not only suggesting us to go green but also to be a cost efficient person.
Fineh@Orlando DUI Lawyer´s last [type] ..Tampa Bay DUI News – Man Who Killed Four In St Petersburg Crash Allegedly Admits To Drinking And Drug Use

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Ray from Marshall Point Homes Keller TX August 6, 2010 at 10:06 am

Twitter: @ricerealtygroup

I have recently bought 2 – 32oz water bottles and keep one with me at all time while the other is in the refrigerator cooling. It saves me money on buying bottled water and is good for the environment. Although, i think the bottles have BPA or whatever that stuff people are talking about now.

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Jenna from wedding planning August 9, 2010 at 2:27 am

Recycle! Recycle! Recycle! It will always be the best way to make your place clean and green. Here in our city government’s main focus is to make something out of nothing. You can get money on your Garbage. THINK! Great post by the way..

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yang from Xilisoft Video Converter August 10, 2010 at 8:42 pm

trying so hard to kick the bottled water habit! But I like it really cold, and the dispenser in my freezer takes FOREVER (I think I need to check the saddle tap).

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Phil from Approaching Women August 10, 2010 at 10:25 pm

Twitter: @PhilS3000

Nice list. I don’t know about opening up a window today, it’s 105 degree index – ouch. This is a time when I try to cut way back on electrical use though. But I do take every opportunity to open the windows when it gets below 70.

I love the electric bike conversion. I also stopped getting groceries in plastic bags.
Phil from Approaching Women´s last [type] ..Approaching Women- 14 Tips and Advice

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Viola from Virginia DUI Lawyers August 11, 2010 at 7:45 am

Nowadays, recycling and preservation of our environment is really essential. We still have time to protect this world and attain sustainability. Thanks for your 10 ten ways to be green, in those simple ways sustainability can be attain and this can make Earth to have longer life.
Viola@Virginia DUI Lawyers´s last [type] ..Hello world!

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Joy from Keller TX Homes August 11, 2010 at 2:18 pm

Twitter: @ricerealtygroup

We have also recently purchased 100 of the reusable shopping bags and then gave them away to clients as closing gifts. It keeps me green and also has the benefit of my clients believing that we are a responsible organization.

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Jeff from Cross Country Medals August 11, 2010 at 3:47 pm

Excellent tips – I try to do some of these things daily, but sometimes I forget. For example, I rarely remember to bring a reusable bag to the store even though I have plenty of them at home. I try to keep some in my trunk, which works, but I forget to bring them back to my trunk after I have unloaded them.

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vansci123 August 20, 2010 at 8:03 pm

I think I need to check the saddle tap.now we must move as global warming arises, this is the time to act and be environment friendly

Reply

Hamilton Builders August 20, 2010 at 9:38 pm

It is important that we start concerning about our environment because as we all know our environment is really getting bad now. This kind of information are what we need nowadays.

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Larry from Kayacs September 1, 2010 at 12:46 am

Great post! Good ideas to help our environment . Let’s start doing the right things to have a green, clean living environment.

[Edited the name field so that you have appropriate keywords for your site]

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Sea Kayaks September 2, 2010 at 8:15 pm

What an amazing compilation of super easy ways to make a difference!

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Alex from Jocuri October 18, 2010 at 5:12 am

Hey Vern,
I am already 60% green :P and I hope I can be at least 90% but the buying food with less packaging and not buying bottled water is a little tricky for me.
I am usually on the run and don’t have time to take my time on shopping or anything else so I usually choose the more convenient way and buy some packed food and be an my way.
The bottled water problem, I live with rent at the moment and I don’t really feel like installing a water purifier in this flat and I am not drinking that nasty water from the tap (you wouldn’t either thrust me).
Although my problems are small compared with those of people from Africa not having drinkable water I hope I can improve in the future and offer a cleaner world to my children, with less pollution and without all the natural resources wasted.
Have a nice day!
Alex@Jocuri´s last [type] ..Curse Mini Motorete

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perry from pin Bar October 30, 2010 at 1:08 am

This is a good place to start and everyone should start adopting these ideas and help make our world a better place and also sustainable for our children s children.
perry@pin Bar´s last [type] ..Pin Bar Candlestick Reversal Pattern

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RainMaker from Punjabi Matrimony November 11, 2010 at 2:48 am

Small small thing which one can easily adopt without making any difference to his routine yet it will make huge difference to the environment.

If every person does his bit a lot can be done to save the environment

Nice effort.

RainMaker

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Snel geld lenen binnen 10 minuten February 11, 2011 at 1:32 pm

If you live in an old house that was built before central air became common, try not running the air conditioner in the summertime. You might be surprised at how comfortable your house will stay, if you don’t automatically expect it to be chilled. One place we lived in (built in 1930) was perfectly comfortable even when the temperature was 100 outside because of the air flow. Granted, that was in Kansas where the wind never stops blowing, but it worked.
Snel geld lenen binnen 10 minuten´s last [type] ..Snel Geld Lenen binnen 10 minuten makelijker dan ooit

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electric bikes February 19, 2011 at 12:09 am

Keeping green our environment is our priority, thanks for sharing those ten ways. Imagine you are not only trying save your money but you can also improve your health condition and the most important you’re making a part on promoting green environment.

Reply

Lenen ondanks bkr March 20, 2011 at 3:38 pm

I don’t think that bottle water is so bad for the environment. What are your arguments for thinking it is?
Lenen ondanks bkr´s last [type] ..Dankzij overheidssubsidie een zakelijke lening van 85000 euro

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