Use fans to cool your home or circulate the warm air from space heaters. To stay warm in the winter, put on a sweater or another layer instead of turning up the thermostat.
This can save you on cooling costs during the summer.
If you need to leave your computer, TV, or game console on, try setting it to sleep mode instead of simply leaving it on.
Remember to fix leaky faucets or toilets as soon as you notice water dripping. To reduce your water use and heating bill, limit your showers to 5 minutes. If you’d rather take a bath, only fill the tub half to three-quarters full.
Try running your clothes through an extra spin cycle to remove even more water from the clothes. This will make them dry quicker.
Try to choose a sustainable material for your reusable bottle. You can buy them in glass, bamboo, and ceramic.
If you frequently order takeout, tell the restaurant or food cart that you want the food packaged in your own containers. This way you won’t get plastic utensils, styrofoam or plastic containers, paper napkins, and plastic bags.
For example, place several apples loose in your cart instead of buying a bag of apples wrapped in plastic with a plastic tie.
You can also reduce bathroom waste by avoiding travel-sized items. These usually contain a lot of packaging and plastics that are difficult to recycle.
Remember to take jars with you when you grocery shop. You can fill them in the bulk bins to cut down on packaging.
For example, instead of throwing away wrapping paper and ribbons, use them as materials for a scrapbook.
Many thrift or second hand stores will give you a discount for your next purchase if you donate items.
Keep empty diaper wipe boxes and store tissues, toys, or crayons in them. Plant small plants in old cans and bottles. Make a garden!
Thrift or antique stores Garage sales Local newspaper listings Neighborhood exchanges
You can usually recycle cans, paper, cardboard, plastic containers, metals, and glass.
Grass cuttings and leaves Vegetable scraps Fruit peels and scraps Egg shells Coffee grounds
