Green Tips
17 Green Tips You Can Immediately Implement
RECYCLE, REDUCE, REUSE
- For single-use plastic products, use #1 PETE or #2 HDPE in the recycled sign.
- For reusable plastic storage containers, use #5 PP.
- Do not microwave plastic containers, even if they say microwave safe. They may still transfer chemicals to the contents inside.
- Use glass, ceramic or stainless steel whenever possible. These materials last forever, won’t leach harmful chemicals and can be recycled. Buy US ceramics to avoid lead in the glaze.
- Use wood cutting boards or chopping blocks to avoid harboring bacteria.
- Shred all important documents and keep the scraps for packing material.
- Clean your carpets with natural cleaners or use a cleaning service to reduce allergens. Cleaning should be performed every one to three years.
- Buy remanufactured ink cartridges and recycle your old ones or refill them yourself.
- Line-dry your clothes to reduce energy consumption.
- Buy recycled paper that is 30 percent post-consumer waste or higher and is accredited by the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council).
- Buy yourself or someone you know True Green Kids: 100 Things You Can Do to Save the Planet by Kim McKay and Jenny Bonnin. http://www.amazon.com/True-Green-Kids-Things-Planet/dp/1426304420/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1238680605&sr=8-1
- Shop local, fresh and organic.
- Use a green or organic dry cleaner.
- During nice temperatures, open your windows at least once a day to air the house out.
- Use a good-quality air filtration system to keep air clean and reduce allergens.
- Use CFL lightbulbs.
- Use glass or BPA-free baby bottles.