This year marks the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day on Thursday, April 22nd and you KNOW how much we LOVE the Earth here at All Things Mamma!
So, in honor of Earth Day, we’ll be giving you tips, crafts and ideas to celebrate the Earth all year long!
Let’s start simple…have you made these small changes in your home to make a big difference in the environment?
* Save water by decreasing your shower time — or rather take a bath, which uses less water than a shower.
* Get in the habit of brushing your teeth with the water off, and encourage your children to do so, as well.
* Recycle – junk mail, cell phones, paper products, plastic bags, and more.
* Switch from paper and plastic bags to reusable bags and totes. Try Envirosax or Dogeared’s neat styles.
* Forget the electric or gas dryer, and hang dry your clothing.
* Opt for direct deposit, online banking, and paperless statements to reduce your paper usage.
* Try your hand at composting (planting scraps from fruits, veggies, and coffee grounds outside), which will help create better soil and less landfill waste.
* Don’t purchase disposable water bottles, but rather use recyclable (and refillable) beverage containers that you can fill with filtered water.
* Unplug all of your appliances when you leave the house to save energy (and prevent a fire hazard).
* If possible, take public transportation or walk.
* Don’t use plastic storage containers, and definitely do not heat food within a plastic container in the microwave.
* Keep one set of dishes at the office, including: a cup, utensils, bowl, and plate. This will prevent you from reaching for disposable utensils, cups, and plates.
* Save stained or ill-fitting clothing to use for dusting and cleaning.
* Use rechargeable batteries — Duracell now has a line of pre-charged rechargeable batteries!
* DONATE!!!
* Purchase used items from thrift stores, garage sales, flea markets, and more.
* If you are in the market for a new car, purchase a hybrid model.
* Select products made of recyclable materials. Nahui Ollin, a handbag designer, has a created line of bags, made from recycled candy wrappers, that are cute and affordable.
* Buy groceries in bulk, as it reduces packaging and the number of trips you take to the grocer. Purchase a membership to a wholesale club, such as Costco or BJ’s.
* If possible, buy items that use less packaging.
* Purchase locally produced food at farmer’s markets and even road-side stands.
* Purchase fresh fruits and vegetables, instead of jarred, canned, or frozen.
* Purchase organic foods, as they don’t contain pesticides and harmful chemicals, in addition to organic cotton.
* Follow the celebrity trend and use cloth diapers, as opposed to disposable diapers, which cause landfill waste.
* Select soy or beeswax candles, instead of paraffin candles.
* Use healthy and environmentally friendly cosmetics, such as mineral-based cosmetics and natural bath products.
Tips from Kaboose – Helping Your Family Go Green Checklist
What a great list of tips!
.-= Allison @ Alli ‘n Son´s last blog ..Little Known Ways to Prevent Diabetes with Fitness – guest post =-.
Thanks, Allison! Some simple changes to make at home!