Plant a garden. Even small backyard or window sill gardens can offer a variety of herbs and vegetables. Organic fertilizers and pesticides are available at most hardware stores. All summer long you can enjoy fresh better-tasting foods that are healthy, organic, and less expensive that those at your local supermarket.
When you shop for bedding, look for items that do not require dry cleaning. You will protect your family from the harsh chemicals used during the dry cleaning process. Some have been tagged as possible carcinogens, and all act to contaminate our environment. There are a variety of fabrics and styles available today that can be washed in a standard sized washer and dryer. You will also save time and fuel by not driving to the dry cleaners, and lower your cleaning bill. The switch will more than pay for the bedding over its lifetime.
Next time you upgrade your cell phone, don’t just toss your old one in a drawer. You can recycle your phone while making a difference in the lives of our troops overseas. The Cell Phones for Soliders initaitve collects old phones at various locations and ships them to soliders overseas so they can keep in touch with their loved ones. Make a difference today and look for a donation location in your area. If you are a business owner, you can also visit the site to set up a new drop off location.
Refill printer cartridges. Many photo developing centers, office stores, and pharmacies offer this option. It is less expensive than purchasing a new cartridge and will reduce the amount of waste produced. To ensure that you can refill the cartridge, seal it in an airtight container after it is removed from the printer.
If your home is like most, you have a plethora of electronics that require batteries – remote controls, mp3 players, wireless keyboards/mice, cameras, gaming controllers, clocks, flashlights, etc. By purchasing rechargeable batteries for your electronics, you will save time, money, and will help reduce dangerous waste products. Modern chargers allow you to quickly recharge your batteries (or keep a spare set for swapping in and out). They are slightly more expensive to purchase at first but the savings will quickly add up. In most cases, you can find a charger and four batteries for less than $30, and replacement batteries for around $2 per battery. They can be recharged hundreds of times and you will never have to make a quick trip to the store when you find out that your camera is out of battery power.
Recommended Battery and Charger Kits:
Energizer AA 15-Minute Charger w/4 NiMh AA Batteries
Sony Quick Battery Charger with 4 AA Ni-MH Rechargeable Batteries
Microsoft and European Environment Agency (EEA) have formed a partnership to alert Europeans to local pollution levels. Based on MS Virtual Earth, this will combine user feedback and scientific data to provide a unique service to those within the coverage area. More about this here:
At least once a year, clean out your books and closet. Donate or find owners for items you no longer use. You will be saving the earth by reusing items. New items must be manufactured and delivered (often consuming large amounts of energy and fuel).
If you live in a dry area, but still need to maintain greenspace or keep your yard healthy and green, you no longer need to worry about when to turn the sprinklers off or on. The latest innovation will help your yard stay connected. The Cyber-Rain system will connect to the internet, check the weather, and water your lawn accordingly.
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When you are doing laundry, always use the coldest setting possible. Cold water detergents are now available to help and are very effective. You will save energy by not heating the water and lower your electric bill.
Unused technology items can often be donated or given to a recycling program in your area. Check for programs with your local school or office supply store. Staples offers technology recycling for old computers, printers, and cell phones.
