In the past decade, people have become more aware, passionate, and concerned about the health of the environment.  Even though the large amount of the changes that need to be made fall in the hands of the government, the everyday choices and actions of the average person, like you, can make a significant difference.  One of the great things about going green is that it is easier than you think!  Here is your beginner’s guide to going green!

 

Watch Your Water - According to the USGS website, the average person uses “80-100 gallons per day.”  80-100?  That might seem unbelievable, but think about it?  You use water to shower, brush your teeth, go to the bathroom, wash your dishes, and more.  For a person wanting to go green, there are small every day things you can do to cut that 80-100 gallons down and help the environment.  The small things you can do that really make a difference include turning the water off while brushing your teeth, filling a reusable water bottle with tap water instead of drinking plastic water bottles, fixing that leaky toilet, and taking shorter showers.  There are even shower heads out there that let you know when you are using too much water!

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Change Lighting -  Try changing your light bulbs to fluorescent light bulbs!  They use two-thirds less energy than regular light bulbs and last ten times longer!  This will not only help the environment, but your wallet too!

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Bike or Walk Around - One of the biggest known air pollutants is the fumes that are produced by cars.  One way that you can help the environment is driving less!  Just by biking or walking to places, you can reduce the carbon dioxide emissions annually by the thousands, according to greatist.com.  Another great eco-friendly idea is to commute to your work by carpooling or taking public transportations!  The less car fumes being made the better!

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Compost - Composting is the act of recycling nutrients back into the earth.  That means keeping your trash out of landfills and dumps.  You can do this by composting your trash.  I know this sounds gross, but it really isn’t!  Here is a helpful link to a great indoor compost that is odor free.

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Buy Reusable Bags for Shopping - Plastic shopping bags do not decompose.  That means that when your throw away plastic bags, they become very harmful for the environment.  Instead of using plastic bags for shopping, try buying reusable bags for shopping.  This is a great and significant way you can make a difference.

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Eco-friendly Cleaning Products - Becoming eco-friendly starts at home!  Those cleaning products in your cabinet can be filling the air in your home with dangerous toxins.  There are so many eco-friendly cleaning products out there right now that smell great and keep your home clean.

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Shut The Lights Off - This may be a no-brainer, but shutting your lights off when not using a room can save you so much money and helps the environment.  At night, you can use candles instead of lights to help the environment as well!

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Pay Bills Online - Any little ways to eliminate excess paper use make a big difference.  By simply paying your bills online, you significantly make your home more eco-friendly.

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