Resource Guide to Environmentally Friendly Practices

Environmentally friendly, or eco-friendly, practices are those that inflict minimal, if any at all, harm to the environment. This is especially important for the future of our environment and can be reflected in everything that we do. From the way you get from one place to another as well as the way you eat and drink can all affect the environment. Here are some eco-friendly tips for environmentally friendly practices.

In the Home

ü     Instead of using air freshener in your home, open a box of baking soda to keep the air fresh.

ü     Replace the moth balls that are in your closet with strong-smelling spices, dried tobacco leaves or crushed peppercorn.

ü     Fill the sink with water and hand wash your dishes instead of leaving the water running the entire time or using a dishwasher.

Cars

ü     Park your car on your lawn while you are washing it. This reduces the amount of water you are using by watering your lawn at the same time.

ü     Limit the amount of water that you use when washing your car using a hose that has a stop-drip handle.

ü     Purchase an electric car if you are in the market and can afford a new car. This reduces the amount of pollution that is emitted into the air.

Cleaning Supplies and Methods

ü     Purchase cleaning products that are non-toxic and biodegradable.

ü     Make homemade recipes for cleaning with produce such as lemons and apple cider vinegar.

ü     When using mops, ensure that they are made from all-natural materials.

Shopping

ü     Use reusable bags when shopping instead of paper or plastic bags.

ü     Choose one area to go shopping instead of using gas from one place to the next.

Electricity

ü     Ensure that your heat registers are not blocked and clean your furnaces on a regular basis to ensure that the electricity is being used efficiently.

ü     Install a home wind generator or a home solar power system.

ü     Move thermostats up in the summer and down in the winter.

Electronics and Appliances

ü     Make sure that you unplug electronics when not in use. Electricity is still used even though the item may be off.

ü      Purchase eco-friendly appliances that use less water and electricity than older models.

ü     Choose to use a front-loading washing machine as this requires less water than a top-loading machine.

Heat and Air Conditioning

ü     Check the insulation in your walls to ensure that the heat and air is kept inside.

ü     Seal all windows and doors to prevent the heat and air from escaping from the home.

Lighting

ü     Use solar lights instead of electric lights for your landscaping.

ü     Turn off lights when you are not in the room.

ü     Install motion lights that automatically turn off when you are not in the room in case you forget to turn off a light.

Water

ü     Use an eco-friendly dishwasher. Some are found to use less water and soap than would be used if the dishes are washed by hand.

ü     Turn off the water when you are brushing your teeth.

ü     Water your lawn and flowers early in the morning to reduce evaporation.

Food and Beverages

ü     Refill your bottled water before recycling it. This reduces the amount of bottles that you use.

ü     Choose finger foods for a dinner party instead of large servings. You do not need to use utensils, which results in no need for detergent or water to wash them.

ü     Drink coffee and tea that are shade-grown. They require less fertilizers and chemicals than coffee and tea that is grown in the sun.

Gardening/Lawn Care

ü     Focus on watering your lawn deeper and not as frequently. An inch of water per week is all it takes to maintain your yard in the summer.

ü     Compost your lawn clippings or leave them in the yard. This reduces the amount of fertilizer you need as the soil pulls in the organic material and composts it from the clippings.

ü     Purchase organic fertilize when you do need to fertilize your lawn.

Windows and Doors

ü     Seal off any leaks in your windows and doors. This will keep the heat inside in the winter and the cold inside during the summer.

ü     Consider purchasing storm windows to reduce the amount of heat that you lose in your home.

ü     Add a screen door to the outside of your front door. This helps reduce the amount of heat or cold that reaches the front door.

At Work

ü     Promote recycling in the workplace by having small contests.

ü     Carpool with neighbors that work in the same area or in the same building as you.

ü     Put together a “green team” at work to keep other co-workers motivated.

Recycling

ü     Recycle all possible items instead of throwing them in the trash. Rinse out bottles and cans before placing them in the recycling bin.

ü     Before placing an item in the recycling bin, make sure that you cannot reuse it for something else.

ü     Use recycled products as often as possible.

Traveling

ü     Unplug everything you have in your outlets at home before traveling. You will not be in need of anything since you are not going to be home. Even when the electronics are turned off, they are still using unnecessary energy if they are plugged in.

ü     Lower the hotel’s thermostat when you leave the room for long periods of time.

ü     Walk or use public transportation.

During the Holidays

ü     Keep the gift-giving a simple task. Pull names and get one gift per person instead of a lot of unwanted wrapping paper, bags and boxes.

ü     Reuse the boxes and bags that held the presents for next year.

ü     Make your own gifts out of things you already have around the house; an interesting way to reuse.

Tips for Kids

ü     Learn how to plant a tree and increase the amount of oxygen.

ü     Do not kill spiders. They are a form of natural pest control as they eat other bugs.

ü     Do not pile your plate with food at dinner time. Only put a little on your plate and go back for seconds if you are still hungry. Wasted food can go to other aspects of the environment.