8 Simple Things to Help Save the Environment

Ann-Marie O'Neill from Real Simple Magazine was on "The View" today and presented the 8 "simple" things you can do to help save the planet.

1) Use a laptop instead of a desktop. A laptop uses half the energy. Choose a model with the energy star rating and you'll lose 70% less energy than a non-certified model. Also, curtail junk mail. If we all reduce junk mail, over 100 million trees could be saved each year in the United States. Visit ftc.gov for more tips.

2) Change your light bulbs. Replacing 5 frequently used incandescent lights with energy star-qualified compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) can cut your electricity bill by $60 annually.

3) Buy the right appliance for the job. For example, use an electric kettle (as opposed to a stovetop), a toaster oven (rather than a conventional electric oven), and an electric slow cooker (instead of the stove). A toaster oven uses half the electricity of a conventional oven.

4) Use natural cleaning products (dishwashing powders, lemons, olive oil, baking soda). These cleansers cut grime without the bleach and phosphates that not only threaten river and marine life but also leave chemical residue on your dishes.

5) Save water. For example, install faucet aerators and high-efficiency showerheads and in a year you'll save between 1,000 and 8,000 gallons of water. Also, turn off the tap while brushing your teeth, and you can save 3 gallons of water per minute.

6) When shopping, use canvas bags for groceries instead of plastic bags. A plastic bag takes between 20-1,000 years to break down. And in one year, U.S. households use about 100 billion plastic bags, 99% of which are never recycled.
In addition, skip red meat once a week. This saves 840 gallons of water, which it takes to produce 1 pound of meat. Also, check stamps on all product packaging to identify what containers are made of and to figure out what it will be in its next life.

7) When it comes to makeup, try to use products that are made with items produced through biodynamic farming, which is more environmentally conscious than even organic farming. For example, Pangea Organics are made from 100% plant-based ingredients, and their packaging is compostable, biodegradable, and plantable.

8) You can also go green when getting dressed by choosing organically produced clothing rather than typical cotton items (examples: Organic tee-shirts, Levi's Eco-organic jeans, Patagonia® dresses). Cotton is the second most chemically sprayed crop in America, and each traditional tee-shirt requires one-third of a pound of synthetic fertilizers.


gogreeninitiative.org
earthday.net


EARTH DAY IS ON SUNDAY !!


Josh Dorfman, the "Lazy Environmentalist" from Sirius radio was on "The Martha Stewart Show" today.

Motion Sensors
- First Alert Motion Sensing Light Socket and Decora Motion Activated Light Control
- Will turn the lights on when you enter and off when you leave
- Can set them on timers so they're not going on and off every time you walk out of a room
(First Alert, Decora)

Aquia Dual Flush Toilet made by Toto
- Flushes with a larger or smaller amount of water depending on need
- Can help save 7,000 gallons of water per year and $80 from your utility bill
- This is made by Toto, one of the largest manufacturers of plumbing products in the world.
- Purchase at hardware stores around the country ($395)

G Diapers
- A flushable diaper system
- Washable cotton outer pant
- Plastic-free flushable liner
- Liners breakdown within 50 to 150 days
- Cradel to Cradle certified -- meaning they use environmentally safe and healthy materials; design for material re-utilization, such as recycling or composting; use renewable energy and energy efficiency; efficient use of water, and maximum water quality associated with production; and instituting strategies for social responsibility
- 50 million disposable diapers go into landfills every day
- Disposable diapers take up to 500 years to fully decompose
- Available at many natural retailers including Whole Foods (starter kit: $24.99, diaper refills: $12.69, pants purchased individually for $14.99)