With the landfills filling up with trash, our environment needs to be saved from the toxicity that is piling up around us. There are so many things that can be done to help preserve the beauty that is our planet. From saving energy to recycling coke cans, anybody and everybody can make a few changes in their lives that will better the future of Planet Earth. So let’s get green!

Water conservation - Taking care of our water is very important so fix leaks around the house because even a few drops can add up to gallons of water by the end of the week. Doing little things like turning of the water when you brush your teeth or filling up your sink with water when you do your dishes instead of letting the water run, can make a huge difference. If you’re in the mood for a long shower, fill your tub instead, you’ll save more water if you do and you’ll get to relax too. Ask yourselves this question,  what would we do if we didn’t have any water? That’s why we should take care of it and not take it for granted.

Save energy - With prices booming, we need to save energy. Changing your light bulbs to fluorescent light bulbs and turning off the light when you leave a room, helps you save energy and money. Another way to save energy is to insulate your home. Insulation may be a bit pricey but, in the long run it’s money well spent because it keeps your house warmer during cold weather and cooler during hot weather therefore, saving money and energy in the process. Make sure all cracks around windows and doors are sealed for maximum energy conservation. Disconnect all appliances that are not in use because when they are connected they are still using up energy even if they’re off.

Recycle - Recycling is a perfect first step if you want to go green and you can even get paid for it. Collect all your soda and beer cans in a big bag or trash can, then take it to a recycling center and sell them. Some pay more than others so look for the best bargain. Other things to sell are copper and metal, if you have an old refrigerator, stove or washing machine, you can sell those at a junk yard. Paper products can also be recycled, for example; newspaper can be used to line your garden because it’s a better alternative to plastic. Lining your garden with newspaper is very essential, it’s biodegradable and will eventually turn into dirt. Plastic is the number one problem to our environment and we should recycle it because it is not biodegradable. It will take a plastic bottle over a billion years to decompose. Instead of buying bottled water, opt for a filter and filter your tap water. Just because water is bottled, that doesn’t mean it’s healthier. Bottled water is just filtered tap water, so why not buy a filter and do it at home, it will save you money and you’ll be helping the environment. Refill a reusable sports bottle for water on the go. 

Make a compost heap - A compost heap is considered black gold to gardeners, it’s filled with nutrients and vitamins for all plants. In a big trash can or a hole in the ground, add all the scraps from your kitchen, for example; coffee grounds, egg shells, rotten fruits and vegetables, and the peels from potatoes, cucumbers, oranges, grapefruits, etc. Add newspaper, used coffee filters, and dried leaves from your yard. Hair clippings are also good for the compost heap and of course, manure. Do not add anything that has been cooked in oil or grease, the feces of dogs, cats, or any animal that eats meat, including human poo because of e-coli and other bacterias. Do not forget to water your compost every once in a while, this aids in decomposition. For more information on compost heaps just Google the word compost and you will find loads of info.

Clean green - There are so many cleaners in the market now that it’s hard to choose which is the best for our families. Most of the cleaners we buy are petroleum based and can affect our health and the environment. I have seen that there are greener products now that keep our houses clean and are non-toxic. Clorox makes a greener product now too. but, if you don’t want to buy designer labels, then opt for a homemade cleaner. Baking soda and vinegar can be used to clean just about anything. Mix warm water with vinegar or baking soda in a spray bottle and use it as an all-purpose cleaner. For mopping the floors, use equal parts of baking soda and vinegar and add it to a gallon of warm water. To take away the smells from your carpets, sprinkle baking soda on the carpet, and then vacuum. To clean the toilet, use equal parts of baking soda and vinegar and scrub the bowl.

Getting our homes greener is not a difficult task and it’s safer for those we love and better for our planet.

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This entry was posted on Friday, October 10th, 2008 at 4:26 am.