Treehugger.com has come up wit their latest Top 25 Ways to Save The Planet list and since we can allll use a little reminder once in a while, here she is... see what you can do to check some of these off in your life!
Key: Black text - Treehugger's list Green text - Fighting Footprints added goods!
25) Get a reel (human-powered) lawn mower instead of a loud, noxious gasoline grass-cutter. And it is also better for the grass to LEAVE the grass clippings on the ground. 24) Compost your garbage instead of throwing it all away; over 60% of solid household waste is fit for the compost pile, heap or bin.Well we all know we love composting, are you still thinking about the vermicomposting?
23) Buy clothes and other linens made from organic cotton. Conventional cotton farming uses only about 3% of the farmland but consumes approximately 25% of the chemical pesticides and fertilizers. Bamboo and Hemp clothing also are the most comfortable clothing I own! But don't forget about re-used clothing from the salvation army etc.
22) Ride a bicycle. The most efficient form of transportation ever devised was named the most significant innovation in a UK survey; in 2005, more bikes than cars were sold in the US, and it's certainly one of our favorites. There is truly nothing like a cruise on the bike!
21) Use eco-friendly household cleaners. It's never made any sense to us to use "dirty" chemicals and volatile organic compounds to try to get things cleaner around the house; we recommend ECover, Seventh Generation (if it's good enough for Liv Tyler, it's good enough for us). And don't forget natural remedies ie. Lemon, vinegar, baking soda etc.
20) Eschew air conditioners (even though there are some nice designs, some pretty efficient window units and even an off-grid option out there, some think A/C is the killing frost sure to wilt the last fragile shoots of American culture) and go with a ceiling fan for year-round climate control. It'll help keep you cooler in summer; to push warm air back down into the room in winter, just flip the blades around. And try figuring out the best window's and doors to have open for optimal air flow, work WITH the breeze!
19) Skip the energy-hogging clothes dryer for a drying rack or clothes line instead; it's easier on your clothes, your energy bill and our fragile planet. While you're at it, green your laundry practices or skip electricity all together. Although it CAN be more space consuming your clothing will last WAYYY longer is you line dry them, and no more dryer needed!
18) Use rechargeable batteries instead of single-use batteries. It'll save you some bucks and the hassle of trying to recycle spent alkalines (even though our friends at 3r Living make it a little easier by accepting them for recycling). For more info, check out Green Batteries for everything you'd ever want to know. Also a GREAT gift idea for parents... re-usable batteries and a charger, bc. kids toys take A LOT of batteries!
17) If given the choice, go for organic fruits, veggies, meat and dairy over conventional food. Organic food is becoming more widely available all the time in grocery stores across the world, and because it's all free of pesticides, herbicides and other chemical non-desirables, it's better for you and the planet. Check out Supperstores new Organic section!
16) When it comes to food, the only thing making more noise these days than organic is the local food movement. From the Eat Local Challenge to the 100 Mile Diet (so interesting that we added a part 2) to a growing number of resources to help you grow your own food -- it doesn't get more local than that -- it's tough to beat the "eat the season" mantra. Hope you've been eating from your garden's this summer, and or heading down to the farmers market! Mmmm fresh and local, nothin' beats it!
15) Fill your kitchen with bamboo. We just love the stuff, and its versatility makes for a variety of products that are inexpensive, functional and beautiful and long-lasting. Some of our favorites are Ekobo, Bambu (their new utensils are worth a look, too), Vessel's cutting boards, NorSing dinnerware and this dinnerware from Hammacher Schlemmer. While you're at it, bamboo is pretty great for the bathroom, too. If in Saskatoon check out The Better Good on Broadway for MANY different bamboo products, including baby utensils and bowls!
14) Get an efficient space heater to cut down on the cubic area you need to heat, reducing energy consumption and energy bills. And place it in the room you are IN, close the door and you'll stay toasty warm without loosing the heat to the other cold rooms. Also try keeping rooms closed that don't always need to be fully heated and even closing the vents, ie. the guest room etc.
13) If a drying rack or clothing line doesn't make sense for your wet laundry, a spinning clothes dryer that uses centrifugal force is a much more efficient alternative to conventional clothes dryers.
12) Use recycled paper. There's no need to use virgin paper for things like computer printing, envelopes, paper towels, toilet paper or tissues; the best part is that it's all easy to find at office supply stores and grocery stores. Don't forget, you can get great stationary and cool journals from recycled paper as well, so there are more trees for us all to hug. Costco is now selling recycled computer and writing paper!
11) Many of us can't afford to get sustainable hardwood flooring, bamboo flooring or really cool reclaimed lumber flooring, but we can still make a difference with the rugs and carpets we put down. Interface's modular tiles are flexible enough to go in almost any-sized space, big or small, and these bamboo rugs are both sustainable and affordable. Angela Adams' Island rugs are are backed with 100% cotton monk cloth and a latex adhesive. And they all LOOK great too!
10) When it comes to toilets, we've seen a lot of gadgets: dual-flush handles, controllable-flush handles, alternative toilets, the UnBathroom emergency toilet, a water recycling toilet and reviews of the best low-flow toilets. These are available in most stores now'aday and are FANTASTIC! Every toilet in Australia is a dual flush system, that's allll they carry!
9) We can't emphasize this one enough: replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents. They're more energy efficient, last longer, and can even help clean the air in your home.
BUT don't forget to dispose of the bulbs at your local Home Depot or other hardware stores that accept them... BC. they contain mercury and we DO NOT want more of that in our landfills!
8) Even though there are some good things going on in the bottled water industry, like biodegradable water bottles and this bottled water with a cause, you can't beat filtered tap water in a reusable bottle. Same goes for other widely-consumed beverages, like coffee, and if you're stuck on the aesthetics of the disposable cup, check out TreeHugger founder and fearless leader's ceramic solution. Look into a water filtration system which not only takes OUT the bad but put's IN the good minerals!
7) Cut flowers are pretty and smell good, but are ultimately disposable after just a few days. The next time you're in the market for some, go for a potted version instead. They last longer, improve indoor air quality and can even be self-watering. If cut flowers are a must, go for organic and look for the Veliflora sustainable floral label. Another option is hit the ditch with a pair of scissors, there are many beautiful prairie grasses and wild flowers... you don't need a lot to make a big impact in your space!
6) A low-flow showerhead can save you gallons of water each time you use it. We've seen 'em as low as a half-gallon per minute. There are also new shower meters that can be placed right on the shower head which times your shower and warns you when you have a minute left!
5) Instead of buying bottled water, use a water filter instead. There are some pretty strange options for filtration out there, but they can be very simple and easy to use, so get one, use it to replenish your precious bodily fluids, and you'll never buy bottled water again. Isn't this a repeat? Anyhow, we agree filtered water tastes WAY better and is better for you and the environment!
4) To go the extra mile, get a rainwater storage tank; you don't even have to dig a huge hole in the yard to have one (we got all the facts at a rainwater harvesting conference). You won't be able to drink it (unless you do what this guy did, and bottle it), but your flowers, plants and garden will sure enjoy it. This will save the potable water your utility provides just for household use, and you'll use less of it. Have you ever used rain water for your hair?? Two words... TRY IT! Just collect a bucket full and after you rinse you conditioner out poor on the rain water, you hair will never be sooooo soft!
3) Use "Tupperware"-style reusable food containers for leftovers and lunches; you'll save miles of plastic wrap and tons of plastic bags. While you're at it, get reusable versions of other stuff, like grocery bags, gift bags and (why not?) muffin cups. Try GLASS Tupperware, (like anchor brand) and you'll reallllly be making a difference, no more eating out of BAD plastics. And yes try the re-usable grocery bags and even produce bags!
2) Draft excluders at the base of your doors can save vast amounts of cold from getting in and heat from getting out. Your wallet will thank you, and you can do it with other doors around the house, like your fridge door, too. A rolled up towel will do the trick!
1) Finally, a programmable thermostat will help efficiently regulate your indoor climate; it's like TiVo for your house. Warm it up and cool it down only when you want to, live more comfortably and cheaply. Isn't that what we all want? This really can cut down on costs and make a BIG difference in comfort in your home... not to mention a new HIGH efficiency furnace... check out insentives program the government offeres, it may be enough to keep u saving money and energy consumption WHILE staying cozy for a loooong time!
Well everyone, hope this was a good little refresher... remember EVERY little bit helps so do what you CAN do and anything else is bonus!
Planet Pals,
Heather and Chanel
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