The Pet Report

Saving money and save the Earth. It’s easier than you think and these 10 tips can get you started.

1. House plants actually clean the air you breathe, so have several. Spider Plants actually absorb toxic gases such as formaldehyde (found in new carpets and furniture) and Gerbera Daisies absorb benzene (found in petrochemicals such as plastics and pesticides). The only warning is that is you have small children or pets, don’t get poisonous plants such as chrysanthemums and aloe vera.

2. Fireplaces are beautiful, but most are not energy efficient. About 85% of the heat a standard fireplace creates goes up the chimney. How can you fix this? Block the chimney, put in a gas fireplace and get some cement fireplace “logs.” They look great , they even have glowing “embers,” and with a direct vent all the heat stays in the house. This can save you money and is definitely easier on the environment.

3. If it’s broke - fix it. We have become so used to simply throwing stuff away. Many times a small electronic or mechanical item can be fixed for a fraction of the cost of a new one, but we have been brainwashed into thinking that it’s better to throw it away and get the “improved” model. Break the habit. Find a repair shop and ask, “how much will this cost to fix?” You may be surprised to learn that you can save big money and have a perfectly functioning device too.

4. Everyone loves to give (and receive gifts), but we don’t have to fill the landfills with gift wrapping. Reuse gift wrapping. Think outside the box - the colorful Sunday comics or even a bit of cloth can be a great gift wrapping alternative. If you get a gift bag, keep it and pass it on. Greeting cards can be turned into gift tags. Ask yourself, how many trees (and money) could Americans save if we simply started re-using gift materials? Take a stand. You’ll be surprised how many people will praise you for your action and they’ll do it too.

5. If it’s broken, stained or wrecked, it still might not be trash. Don’t fill your garbage containers with re-usable stuff. A stained shirt, can still be a cleaning cloth. A broken lamp can usually be repaired. An old-fashioned suit can be given to Goodwill. A broken baseball bat can be used as a garden stake or to prop up a saggy fence. Think twice before you throw it away and you’ll be amazed at the uses you find for trash.

6. Donate things you don’t use any more. Instead of throwing out items you don’t use anymore, give them to charity. Old clothing, shoes, home dcor items, sporting goods and toys are all happily accepted by charities such as the Salvation Army. You’ll have less clutter in your garage and your donation will help families in need.

7. Say no to junk mail. So much paper is wasted on sending junk mail and flyers. Put up a sign on your mailbox refusing these items and send a message to advertisers that you want them to change their marketing techniques. If enough people do this they will eventually listen.

8. From now on, buy rechargeable batteries. Yes, they do cost a little more, but in the long run they will save you money (you can even find solar powered rechargers). Stop spending money on one-use batteries and you’ll save money and help reduce toxins in the landfills.

9. Find out what you can recycle. Different cities accept different items for recycling. It is important that you know exactly what is being recycled in your area. A lot of people put out items week after week thinking they are being recycled when in fact they are being thrown in the garbage at the recycling facility. By knowing the policies in your city you can avoid buying products that are not sold in recyclable containers and you can ensure you are putting out all of your garbage that can be recycled.

10. Hazardous materials are a fact of modern life. Old batteries, old electronics, paint thinner and many other items contain toxic materials. Fortunately, most communities also have special days or special drop-off pints for these items and as a concerned citizen, we need to take advantage of these opportunities to dispose of hazardous waste properly.

These ideas are easy to implement and will actually have a big impact on your environmental impact. There are many more ideas and resources available online. Check them out and you’ll be suroised at how easy it is to go green.

Rylan Waverly has been “going green” for over 15 years. He creates interesting blogs and participates in online forums and “real world” conventions that help create a green future. One of his favorite websites is gogreen.com-webnews. He believes it has the most current news, information, interesting blogs and videos that can help anyone who is seeking real knowledge about living a green life.

« Older Entries