Going green really isn’t that difficult, in fact there are many things that each of us can do every day in our homes that will help to play a part in reducing the waste in landfills, cleaning the air we breathe and helping to preserve the landscape around us. In the end being green can even go a long way to saving money on your household expenses by helping you lowering your energy bills and encouraging you to waste less and reuse more.
Check out these tips for some easy ways to get your household on a greener path.
- Turn off the lights when you leave a room.
- Wash your laundry in cold water instead of hot and line dry when possible instead of using the dryer.
- Use a re-useable water bottle instead of buying plastic disposable water bottles.
- Plant native species in your garden. When man demands of nature a change so great and so unnatural, she rebels and refuses to submit. –The Old Farmer’s Almanac, 1895
- Unplug all unused appliances and electronics.
- Use cloth towels for cleaning instead of paper; make your own out of old clothes and linens.
- Buy in bulk to cut down on packaging.
- Turn off your computer completely at night.
- Fix any leaky faucets or running toilets.
- Lower the temperature on your hot water tank.
- Use reusable cloth bags instead of plastic bags.
- Invest in a rain-barrel and use the collected water to water your household plants and gardens.
- When replacing appliances switch them to an energy-efficient model.
- Shop at farmer’s markets (click here to see a map of Toronto markets to find the one closest to you) as they will have the freshest and most local food and tend to use a lot less packaging.
- Don’t let your car idle.
- Replace your incandescent lightbulbs with energy friendly ones; consider CFLs or LEDs.
- Leave the lights off for as long as possible – open the curtains and let the light shine in!
- Use public transportation or (even better!) walk or ride your bike.
- Responsible pet ownership also includes cleaning up after your dog on a walk. Choose biodegradable bags to keep the process clean and green.
- Take shorter showers and install a low-flow shower head.