Go Green in 2008 in St. Charles County

January 3, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s no wonder that going green tops the list of new year’s resolutions for many people. Some of last year’s hot topics were climate change, peak oil and organic living.

Green is responsible. Green is healthy. Green is hip.

Here are 17 tips to start 2008 in an environmentally-friendly way:

  1. Use natural light as much as possible. Resist flipping on a light switch if opening the curtains will let in sunligh
  1. Plant a garden. It’s enjoyable, healthy, frugal and produce from one’s own garden doesn’t come wrapped in plastic.
  1. Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs
  1. Recycle. Find out what those code numbers mean on recyclables.
  1. Buy clothes second-hand from thrift shops or garage sales
  1. Donate. De-cluttering feels almost as good as giving to those in need.
  1. Buy fair trade products
  1. Use re-usable shopping bags such as canvas or previously-used plastic bags.
  1. Don a sweater, then set the furnace to a lower temperature
  1. Buy local—clothes, food, toys. If a product doesn’t have to travel far to get to a store, fuel is saved. Plus, buying local supports the area’s economy.
  1. Walk or ride a bike instead of driving
  1. Keep containers that cottage cheese, sour cream etc. come in. Resist buying more plastic containers.
  1. Avoid buying plastic bottles of water, soda or tea. Install a water purifier and drink water from home.
  1. Use biodegradable dog waste bags and kitty litter box liners.
  1. Conserve water when possible
  1. Carpool and consolidate errands in the car.
  1. Curb your carbon footprint
  1. Make household cleaners from scratch.

Taking care of the environment will only increase in popularity. Everyone will be expected to do their part. Here’s to a green 2008.

Read previous articles in this series.

Day1
Day 2

Copyright 2008 Neighbors About Town

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Day_3
With the new year, many have made resolutions to be more environmentally friendly. Going green is the third topic covered in our series about new year’s resolutions.