Going green is not only about recycling but about reducing your carbon footprint. HEALTH suggests some simple, yet effective ways to go green.
Why It Matters
According to Nils El Accad, Chairman of Organic Foods and Café, it is important to be ecofriendly, especially in the home. “We need to reduce most of what we buy that is just a waste and try to reduce and reuse,” he explains.
The Following Are Some Simple Ways to Start Reducing your Carbon Footprint:
- Turn off the lights whenever you leave the room.
- Whenever possible, switch off the air conditioning and use ceiling fans.
- Avail the natural sunlight by drying your laundry naturally rather than using a dryer.
- Use recycled paper and aim to only buy organic products.
- Bring your own (reusable) grocery bags to the store.
- Remember the three Rs; reduce, reuse, and recycle. Note that recycling comes at the end of the list. The most important step toward going green is to reduce your consumption – buy less, and you’ll have less to recycle.
- In the home, that means buying materials, furnishings, and other items that are well-made, durable, and long-lasting.
- Recycle everything you possibly can – plastic, paper, bottles, and cans. It’s important to recycle electronics, batteries, toxic household items, and more as well.
- By simply turning off the water while you brush your teeth can help save four gallons a minute.
- Run your washing machine and dishwasher only when they are full and you could save one thousand gallons a month.
- Keep your shower to keep it under five minutes to save up to one thousand gallons a month.
- Don’t leave appliances on standby and remember not to leave appliances on charge unnecessarily.
Do a home energy check. Unplug household appliances and electronics when they are not in use. Even if they’re not on, appliances that are plugged in use energy.
