… And even more ways to Go Green on a Budget
- Wash clothes in cold water On your next laundry day, turn the knob on your machine from warm to cold. You can save up to 90% of the energy you use to wash clothes when you switch to a cold wash.
- Buy fluorescent bulbs Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs, which are three or four times more efficient than incandescent bulbs. Although fluorescent light bulbs may cost more upfront - perhaps up to $2.50 a bulb instead of 50 cents - they last much longer.
- Eat fresh Buy produce from local co-ops and farmer’s markets rather than at the grocery store. Not only will your foods taste better, you won't have made a gas-guzzling journey just to get your groceries.
- Pump your tires When you have to drive, make sure your tires are always inflated to the fullest. Pumping them up can improve your gas mileage by more than 3% and save you 7 cents per gallon on gasoline.
- Replace your showerhead with one that puts out less water. The standard showerhead spews 4.5 gallons-per-minute (GPM). Replace it with a 2.5-GPM head and you’ll save 20,000 gallons of water per year.
- Learn to drive Rapid acceleration and braking can lower your gas mileage by 5% when driving around town and 33% on the highway.
- Hold more indoor winter parties The holiday season is the perfect time of year to get together with friends and family. Invite them over, turn your thermostat down and let your guests provide the heat.
- Say goodbye to aerosols Because they have limited recycling value, aerosol containers usually wind up in landfills. Instead of aerosols, look for spray bottles, liquids, powders and roll-ons.
- B.Y.O.B. As in, bring your own bag. Some stores even give you cash toward your next purchase for every bag you bring in to use again. It saves both you and the store money.
- Collect the rain Place a container under a gutter downspout and let it fill over time. Rain water is actually healthier for plants and gardens than tap water.
Janessa Dohse
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