Starting a Greener Life on a Budget
Many people erroneously believe that “going green” is expensive. While it is true that many products will cost more to produce and sell if they are manufactured in a healthy way, that does not mean that your budget needs to be greatly inflated to use them. By making smart decisions you can balance the more expensive purchases with ones that actually cost you less than the traditionally manufactured ones. While the purchase of an electric car may not be in your near future, there are many items you can work into you budget to help you stay on track and help the environment.
The simplest step you can take is to start recycling. This actually costs you no money, only time. Once you make recycling a habit, it will blend unconsciously into the fabric of your day. Do a little research into what basic recycling services are available in your area. If pickup isn’t offered, see if you can trade off trips with a few neighbors to make the chore less of a burden. Read the rules carefully. Do they want you to remove labels yourself? What kinds of plastics are allowed? For electronics and appliances contact the manufacturer. Most have partnered with a recycling company to keep these items out of landfills. Most will even offer to pick the item up, or offer a shipping container for you.
One of the simplest things you can do is replace your light bulbs. While it seems silly, think about how many hours a day you have the lights on. Rather than lighting candles or sitting in the dark, replace your old incandescent bulbs with compact florescent or LED lighting. Both of these options cost more initially, but will pay for themselves through the savings on your electric bill. While LED lights are still a relatively new technology, they don’t use the harmful gasses that CFL’s do. That means that, while they don’t offer a significant difference in savings, the manufacturing process is much safer and healthier.
Air dry most of your laundry. Dryers not only cost you electricity, they wear out your clothes. By hanging them to dry you can greatly reduce your electric costs. If your need them to feel a little fluffier you can always throw them in the dryer on tumble after they dry. This will allow them to feel great without wasting energy on heat.
Adding green habits to your life doesn’t have to be a wallet buster. Just these few simple ideas can add an element of responsibility to your life and they don’t cost you anything. While you may not feel that they really make a difference, the impact will add up quickly over time. Use these ideas as a starting point for your own greener life.
