Save the Environment: 20 Ways You Can Help at Home

1. Recycling.
I think recycling is one of the easiest things you can do to help. I recycle plastic bottles such as milk jugs, orange juice jugs, and soda bottles. I recycle all my cardboard including cereal boxes, any packaging, and boxes. I also recycle all newspaper, scrap paper, junk mail, notebook paper, and aluminum cans. The Sanitation Department in my city picks up my recyclables once a week. I have to make sure all the bottles are rinsed and all the plastic packaging is out of the boxes. I send small tree limbs, leaves, and pine needles to be shredded at the Recycling Center and turned into compost. Anyone can go there and get as much compost or mulch as they want for free.

2. Make sure you turn off lights, computers and other appliances when not in use. I have to constantly turn off the lights behind my daughter.

3. Wash clothes with warm or cold water instead of hot. Your clothes will get just as clean.

4. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs to save money and energy. The bulbs are a little more expensive than regular light bulbs, but they last a lot longer.

5. Install a low-flow shower head.

6. Insulate your home as best as you can.

7. Install weather stripping around all doors and windows. Cold or hot air can get in or out through any crack or space.

8. Replace old windows with energy efficient ones. You need to buy double-paned windows.

9. Walk or ride your bike instead of driving, whenever possible. Not only will it be better for the environment, it will improve your health.

10. Plant trees to shade your home. You will use a lot less energy to cool your home in the Summer.

11. Water grass early in the morning.

12. Replace old toilets with new ones that use a lot less water.

13. Check and fix any water leaks.

14. Lower the thermostat on your water heater to 120. Or you can install a timer.

15. Keep your thermostat at 68 in Winter and 78 in Summer.

16. Use Solar power for home and water heating.

17. Join a carpool to get to work.

18. Don’t wash dishes with the water running continuously.

19. Copy and print on both sides of paper.

20. Use recycled paper.

Please do your part to help save the environment. Together we can make a big difference.