5 Easy and Cheap Ways to Go Green

Finding ways to help the environment and ways to go green can seem like a hard task to take on. After all, the world is so big and there is so much that needs to be done and improved upon. But not everybody has the time, money, know how or resources to buy solar panels for your home’s electricity and not everybody can just go right down to the auto mall and buy a new Prius or other hybrid car. But that’s the great thing, you don’t need to do those things to help the environment and go green, there are many cheap ways to go green that you can do starting right now. Follow this guide to find the easiest and most cheap ways to go green and do what you can to help the environment right now.

Cheap Ways to Go Green Idea 1: Turn Off Your Computer Monitor

No, not right now, at least finish reading the article! Turn off your computer when you’re done using it instead of leaving it running idly for hours or days at a time. While you’re at it, turn off all the lights when you leave a room and use daylight from windows during the day in place of lights altogether! Always turn the television off and switch off the air conditioner when you’re not home or you don’t need it. Yes, it really is this easy to start going green and helping the environment.

Cheap Ways to Go Green Idea 2: Buy Better Bulbs

OK, now we have covered that you have to be turning off those light bulbs when you leave the room, but what to do when you actually need those lights on? It’s time to give in and buy some CF (compact fluorescent) light bulbs. These light bulbs aren’t just a great, cheap way to go green and help the environment, but they also save you money. CF light bulbs use 75% less energy than conventional light bulbs and they last 10 times longer according to Energy Star (www.energystar.gov).

Cheap Ways to Go Green Idea 3: You Better be Recycling

This sounds obvious but you would be surprised how many people don’t make even the slightest bit of effort when it comes to recycling. And that’s the great thing about recycling too, it really doesn’t take any effort at all. It might be obvious but it’s a great jump off point for anybody ready to go green and find ways to start helping the environment. If you live in an apartment building, bag up your recyclables in different bags and bring them to the complex’s recycling bins. If you’re building doesn’t have any, work up a quick petition and have the residents sign it to make your building get one, now. There is no easier or cheaper way to go green than recycling, and there is definitely no reason not to be doing it.

Cheap Ways to Go Green Idea 4: Reusable Grocery Bags

Listen, whether you choose paper or plastic, it’s a losing proposition. Buying or making a reusable grocery bag is extremely cheap, simple and easy. Many grocery stores even reward you for using their reusable bags, with discounts or special coupons. Think about how many trips you and your family make to the grocery store every month. All of those bags, and what ends up happening to them? If you want to make a difference, help the environment and find cheap ways to go green, reusable grocery bags are a necessity. You’ll immediately feel much better leaving the store knowing you’re part of the solution and not part of the problem. If you think they look stupid, bring and use your own bag, do whatever you want. While you’re at it, bring those bags to the drug store and pharmacy, and anywhere else that wastefully bags up your day to day supplies and items.

Cheap Ways to Go Green Idea 5: You’re using the Muscles in Your Head, Now Use the Rest of Them

If you’ve read this far, good job! You’re that much closer to helping the environment and utilizing all of these extraordinarily easy and cheap ways to go green. You’ve really been putting that noggin of yours to use. Now, it’s time to engage the rest of those stagnant muscles. Buy yourself a bike or wipe the dust off your old one, take those walking shoes out of the closet and get to work! If you live near your office, bike to it when the weather is nice. Start out once a week to build yourself up. If you live near your grocery store, walk to it, with your reusable bags of course! There are lots of small trips that a car is unnecessary for. Plus, you’ll burn some calories, save on gas money and get some fresh air. So you’re helping the environment, saving money and getting in shape. Sounds pretty win-win, don’t you think?

If you have the time and money to go out and buy a hybrid or install solar panels or anything else like that, by all means, you should! But not all of us can just go out and do that. So start making small steps towards helping the environment. If you want to make a difference, there is no longer an excuse! These don’t cost any money; many of these actually save you money. These cheap ways to go green don’t take any huge amount of time or energy; they are as straightforward and easy as can be. Plus, you’ll build up a momentum of good deeds, feel better about yourself and be ready to take on some bigger tasks. All of these cheap ways to go green can be done by you, by anybody, starting today. Now, finally, it’s ok, you have my blessing, just go ahead and turn off that computer monitor…