Sitting home bored the other night I turned on the television to “Tom Brokaw Presents American Character along Highway 50”. He was interviewing a cowboy from Colorado who raises cattle organically. Coming from a background in the culinary industry I was interested in his story and it sent me off doing some research about sustainability and “going green.”
We hear about going green every day on the news, in the newspaper and online. There are a great many resources to help us change our everyday practices into more economical, nature-friendly ones. What I didn’t realize how much money you could save by living a more “green” lifestyle.
Don’t think you can do it? I bet that 99% of what is listed here you could do without putting any real effort into it and without spending much money at all. Why should you do it? Well, think about your kids and grandkids and what kind of world they will be living in if we don’t start doing things to make changes.
Take a look at these suggestions.
Get a free In-Home Energy Audit if you’re a Duke Energy Customer, own a single family home and have lived there for more than 6 months. If you make certain improvements you can receive rebates on your energy bill.
Make sure your doors and windows are weather stripped and that it hasn’t begun to peel off. The slightest open space in a door jam or window can let in a draft and up your heating or cooling bill.
When you replace your light bulbs spend a little extra and get compact florescent light bulbs. They use 75% less energy and last 10 times longer than incandescent light bulbs.
Unplug electronics and appliances that you’re not using. Even when you have something powered off it’s using electricity! This is commonly referred to as “Vampire Energy” and costs you money. Things like toasters and blenders don’t need to plugged in unless you’re using them. Did you know that you cell phone charger only uses 5% of the energy it consumes to charge your phone? Unplug it when you’re done! Another “Vampire Energy” source is your computer. Desktop computers use more energy than laptops but both will continue to use more electricity unless powered OFF. When you’re done at night shut it down completely instead of putting it into Sleep or Hibernate mode.
Use common sense. Run a dishwasher only when it’s completely full. Use the correct sized pot for the burner you’re using on the stove because if you use a small pot on a big burner you’re wasting energy to heat the air instead of the pot.
Save water (shower together). Don’t run the sink while you brush your teeth. Use “low flow” shower heads and faucet aerators on your sinks. Buy a laundry detergent to use with cold water and only wash on cold. You run less risk of shrinking clothes, running colors and you’ll save on the energy it takes to heat the water. (Don’t forget to clean your lint trap in the dryer! It will save on energy your dryer uses up.)
Use reusables! If you get coffee to go every morning use a travel mug instead of a paper cup. Take reusable shopping bags with you to the grocery store. (Last I knew Trader Joe’s will enter you into a contest if you use reusable bags!) This will help eliminate plastic waste. On another plastic note – spend the money for a water filter and stop using plastic water bottles. These pile up in landfills, use our precious oil resources to make and run the risk of leeching chemicals into the water when left in warm places. Get a reusable bottle and a water filter! (On a side note – tap water isn’t going to kill you. http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/2007.html)
Freecycle! If you haven’t heard of this craze you’re missing out! Freecycle is a free networking group you can use when you want to give something away that you don’t need any more. (Like those mismatched mugs and that box spring in your attic.) Not only can you give things away via this site but you can look at ads people list of things they’re giving away! As they say, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” Plus it keeps things out of the landfill. Score!
Save paper, go electronic! Assuming you have internet usage and a credit or debit card there’s no reason to receive billing statements in the mail. Pay your bills online and save on the cost of postage and paper envelopes! Another great way to save some trees is to subscribe to your favorite newspaper online instead of getting a paper copy delivered.
Use public transit! Charlotte just installed a great light rail system. Carpool! Ride your bike! Find a way to reduce your carbon footprint. Also make sure you get your car emissions inspected!
Turn your heat down 5 degrees in the winter and your AC up 5 degrees in the summer. It’s a small change that you probably won’t even notice and it will help save energy!
Go organic! I love a steak any day of the week but did you know that by eating meat-free one day per week you would avoid emitting approximately 720 pounds of carbon emissions per year? Sounds like a great reason to eat more fruits and vegetables. Not to mention it’s healthier. While we’re talking about food let’s talk about buying food from local farms. This will help boost the local economy and support your neighbors. Look into joining a local Community Supported Agricultural Co-Op during the summer. You can get fruits, veggies, milk, cheese, butter and much more delivered right to your door! (Not to mention having a milk man bringing glass milk bottles to your door is great for nostalgia and saves plastic waste!)
Last but most certainly not least – Recycle! Not everyone has the bins but that doesn’t mean you can’t make the effort to do it anyways! Find a friend or neighbor who does and deliver your empties to them once a week. Also don’t forget… don’t put biodegradable items in a plastic trash bag! The sun and water won’t be able to get to them and hence they will not be able to serve their purpose.
There are a great many ways to clean up and maintain our environment. The suggestion list above is just a small example of ways we can make a difference. If you make the effort to do these things on a daily basis it will become routine and instead of being an “effort” it will become a way of life.
So join us at Charlotte Rage and help us go Green in the Queen City and all over the world.
