When buying produce at the grocery store, avoid packing the product in an extra plastic bag if it isn’t necessary. Vegetables such as potatoes, onions, peppers, tomatoes, beets; and fruits such as bananas, apples, plums, and melons shouldn’t require an extra bag. Instead of buying canned soup or pasta sauce, read up in a cookbook how to prepare them at home. Practice “precycling” by only buying products whose materials can be recycled. [3] X Research source
Instead of using disposable diapers, try cloth diapers or nappies. You will have to clean them more often, but you’ll reduce waste. Get a razor with replaceable blades rather than a disposable razor. You’ll still have to throw the old blades away, but you’ll save the plastic handle. For picnics, serve with re-usable plastic or wooden plates, cups, and utensils instead of disposable paper or plastic ones.
Replace all incandescent lightbulbs with Energy-Star-rated compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs), which can save you $6 in energy costs per year. [8] X Research source Try towel drying your hair instead of blow-drying it. If it is cold inside your residence, just put on a jacket or sweater instead of turning up the heat.
When you brush your teeth, turn off the faucet between soaking and rinsing the brush.
Request electronic bill instead of paper ones for all your utilities, member dues, and other periodical payments. You can choose this when signing up for an account. If you are already receiving paper bills, it is not too late to change. Access your account online or by phone, and see if you can switch to electronic bills instead.
Organize carpools with your neighbors or co-workers to reduce fossil fuel use. Choosing a residence as close as possible to your place of work will reduce both your commute time and energy consumption. [10] X Research source
Escalators and elevators cost money to run. By taking the stairs, you may see lower prices (if you’re at a shopping center) or a higher salary (if you’re at an office building). There are instances where taking escalators or elevators may be necessary, such as if you have an injury, a bad knee, or need to get to the 24th floor.
Boxes can take up a lot of space. Save 1 box to store all of your packaging materials in, but fold the other boxes up so that they take up less space.
You can also hand clothing down to your siblings. If you and your wears wear a similar size, consider trading outfits with them. When donating clothes, make sure that everything is in good condition. Don’t donate old, worn, dirty, or torn clothing.
Instead of buying bottled water, fill up a reusable plastic bottle or glass jar from the faucet. If you buy bottled water for health reasons, get the largest size available to cut down on packaging waste. Use washable fabric handkerchiefs and dinner napkins instead of disposable tissues.
Look for cars from the 1990s or early 2000s that typically get 30-40 miles per gallon, such as the Geo Metro, Ford Festiva or Aspire, Honda CRX HF, Toyota Tercel or Corolla, Mazda Protege, or Dodge Colt. [15] X Research source Buying used motorbikes and bicycles can also save resources.
Use a plastic shopping bag for small trashcans, instead of buying small garbage bags. Some stores sell nice reusable bags. Consider getting a few of these and keeping them in your car so that you can use them when shopping.
Transform old magazine photos into a collage. Turn plastic bottles into coin purses. Make a scarecrow for your garden out of old clothes and packing materials. Turn mason jars or metal cans into planters for your herbs.
Some items are made from biodegradable materials. For example, some plastic and straws are made from biodegradable corn.
Not all cities require you to sort recyclables. Check with your city’s recycling rules regarding sorting, pick-up times, etc. Not all plastics are the same. Some of them can be recycled while others can’t. Check the numbers on the bottom of your plastic item, then refer to your city’s recycling rules.
For example, do an internet search for “[the name of your city or county] municipal recycling facility. ” Some recycling centers pay you to bring recyclables in.
On the bottom of plastic containers, look for a number surrounded by three arrows–the universal recycling symbol. The number is an SPI Resin Identification Code, which indicates the type of plastic. [17] X Trustworthy Source United States Environmental Protection Agency Independent U. S. government agency responsible for promoting safe environmental practices Go to source The lower the number, the more likely it will be accepted. [18] X Research source
Some computer companies, such as Dell, offer to pick up your unwanted computer free of charge for recycling. [20] X Research source Hewlett-Packard recycles ink cartridges, laptop batteries, and cell phones, among others. [21] X Research source Apple offers a gift card in exchange for your old computer. [22] X Research source
Commonly composted materials include vegetable and fruit scraps, egg shells, straw, hair and fur, coffee grounds, tea bags, horse manure, grass and plant cuttings, and leaves. Avoid composting dairy products, meat and fish, cooked foods, weeds, tissues, treated or colored paper, and coal ash. [23] X Research source
