Updated! Green living tips 1-55
To-do list
There are a lot of ways to live a little lighter on the planet. Try some of these to save energy, water and money. Plus some of them are actually fun, too. Do as many as you can through our “Green Week” and then keep going. Caution: Living greener can be habit forming.
1. Green your caffeine. Buy unbleached coffee filters or forgo the filters altogether and use a coffee press.
2. Compost your coffee grounds.
3. If you forget your own bag — as we all do — reuse the paper or plastic bag you get at the store a few times or recycle it at local grocery stores that take such containers.
4. Keep your water heater turned down to the lowest possible setting.
5. Recycle your packing peanuts. Many stores — such as Pak Mail in Santa Fe — will let you drop them off. Buy recycled packaging materials.
6. Buy copy and office paper that’s made with recycled pulp or certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.
7. Make new soil. Compost your veggie and fruit scraps, coffee grounds and other food waste.
8. Look for Fair Trade certified products made by workers who earn fair wages and use environmentally friendly practices.
9. Buy recycled (or gently used) goods. Clothes, furniture, building materials and housewares are available in Santa Fe.
10. Wash your clothes in cold water — unless you’ve been out mudbogging or the baby is still in leaky diapers.
11. Hang your clothes out to dry. Dryers are one of the biggest electricity hogs.
12. Look for backpacks made from recycled materials or at least are free of PVCs.
13. Try manual cooling. Open your windows in the evening and close them in the morning to cool down your house.
14. Recycle your old cell phones and computer equipment.
>> 15. Recycle plastic soda bottles and milk jugs by making minigreenhouses. Cut off one end and stick it over seedlings in the garden to protect plants from cold spring nights.
16. Keep a water bottle at work instead of using a disposable cup at the water cooler.
17. Bring your lunch to work instead of eating out, reducing transportation impact and waste from to-go containers.
<< 18. Install rain barrels or a water-catchment tank for rooftop runoff.
19. Mulch your yard well to create a sponge for water that hits the ground.
20. Preplan your trips so you can drive less and do more with each outing.
21. Buy a stainless-steel water bottle, fill it up, and take it with you every day.
22. Turn off your computer when you are not using it.
23. Recycle the plastic pots and trays that come with the plants you buy at garden centers.
24. Ask your mechanic how often you really need to change the oil in your car.
25. Keep the tires of your car or truck inflated only to the recommended pressure.
26. Donate your magazines to local libraries, senior centers and hospitals, if they take them.
27. Switch to electronic statements and pay as many bills as you can online.
28. Use rechargeable household batteries.
29. Reduce junk mail and catalog clutter by removing yourself from bulk mailing lists. Visit newdream.org/junkmail to find out how.
30. Cut petroleum use (and indoor air pollution) by buying unscented, biodegradable laundry detergent.
31. Drive at or below the speed limit.
32. Drive more gently, avoiding abrupt starts and stops. You’ll save gas and lower your emissions — maybe your blood pressure, too.
33. Buy shampoo, body lotion, peanut butter, cooking oils and other products in bulk when you can, filling your own (reusable) container.
34. Use cloth dish towels instead of paper towels.
35. Use only the air-dry option on your dishwasher, or turn the machine off and open the door after the last rinse cycle is complete.
36. Turn your thermostat down at night and whenever you leave the house
37. Save and reuse cardboard boxes, padded envelopes, shipping containers.
38. Use cloth napkins that can be washed and reused for years.
39. Cover your pots when you are boiling water or cooking foods (like potatoes and pasta) in boiling water.
40. Use a crock pot instead of the stove top or oven to make a stew or soup.
41. Cook enough food for two meals so you only have to reheat the leftovers.
42. Use washcloths instead of disposable baby wipes — especially when you are at home.
43. Tell the automatic teller machine you don’t want that paper receipt and avoid monthly mailings by opting for online banking.
44. Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway and walkways.
45. Clear the air by avoiding scented air sprays, gels, candles and plug-in air fresheners.
46. Check books out of the library instead of buying new ones — especially if they are books your are unlikely to reread.
47. Use a chimney starter instead of charcoal lighter fuel to get your grill going.
48. Look for lump-style charcoal instead of briquettes, which can contain coal dust or petroleum products.
49. When you use your clothes dryer, clean out the filter after every load.
50. Stay at hotels/motels that save water and energy.
51. This summer, use your car’s air-conditioner only when you are traveling faster than 40 mph. Around town, just open the window.
52. For picnics, look for biodegradable and/or recycled disposable plates, cups and tableware.
<< 53. Plant a tree.
54. Check out freecycle.org.
55. Smile — it may not use less energy then frowning (as urban legend says), but it sure produces better results.
Check out the Low Carbon Diet, a 30-day program to lose 5,000 pounds (of carbon dioxide emissions, that is). It’s a day-by-day, fun program developed by David Gershon of the Empowerment Institute. It tells you how much CO2 you reduce by following the tips each day. Try the diet with a few friends!
For more info, check out www.empowermentinstitute.net.
Some helpful Web sites for more tips:
www.greenlivingtips.com
www.coopamerica.org/programs/livinggreen/
www.sierraclub.typepad.com/greenlife/tip_sheet
www.edbegley.com (Check out his new book, Living with Ed)
www.grist.org
For a list of what the city/county recycling center takes, call 955-2207 or go to www.santafenm.gov, click first on residents and then on refuse/recycling.
There are a lot of ways to live a little lighter on the planet. Try some of these to save energy, water and money. Plus some of them are actually fun, too. Do as many as you can through our “Green Week” and then keep going. Caution: Living greener can be habit forming.
1. Green your caffeine. Buy unbleached coffee filters or forgo the filters altogether and use a coffee press.
2. Compost your coffee grounds.
3. If you forget your own bag — as we all do — reuse the paper or plastic bag you get at the store a few times or recycle it at local grocery stores that take such containers.
4. Keep your water heater turned down to the lowest possible setting.
5. Recycle your packing peanuts. Many stores — such as Pak Mail in Santa Fe — will let you drop them off. Buy recycled packaging materials.
6. Buy copy and office paper that’s made with recycled pulp or certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.
7. Make new soil. Compost your veggie and fruit scraps, coffee grounds and other food waste.
8. Look for Fair Trade certified products made by workers who earn fair wages and use environmentally friendly practices.
9. Buy recycled (or gently used) goods. Clothes, furniture, building materials and housewares are available in Santa Fe.
10. Wash your clothes in cold water — unless you’ve been out mudbogging or the baby is still in leaky diapers.
11. Hang your clothes out to dry. Dryers are one of the biggest electricity hogs.
12. Look for backpacks made from recycled materials or at least are free of PVCs.
13. Try manual cooling. Open your windows in the evening and close them in the morning to cool down your house.
14. Recycle your old cell phones and computer equipment.
>> 15. Recycle plastic soda bottles and milk jugs by making minigreenhouses. Cut off one end and stick it over seedlings in the garden to protect plants from cold spring nights.
16. Keep a water bottle at work instead of using a disposable cup at the water cooler.
17. Bring your lunch to work instead of eating out, reducing transportation impact and waste from to-go containers.
<< 18. Install rain barrels or a water-catchment tank for rooftop runoff.
19. Mulch your yard well to create a sponge for water that hits the ground.
20. Preplan your trips so you can drive less and do more with each outing.
21. Buy a stainless-steel water bottle, fill it up, and take it with you every day.
22. Turn off your computer when you are not using it.
23. Recycle the plastic pots and trays that come with the plants you buy at garden centers.
24. Ask your mechanic how often you really need to change the oil in your car.
25. Keep the tires of your car or truck inflated only to the recommended pressure.
26. Donate your magazines to local libraries, senior centers and hospitals, if they take them.
27. Switch to electronic statements and pay as many bills as you can online.
28. Use rechargeable household batteries.
29. Reduce junk mail and catalog clutter by removing yourself from bulk mailing lists. Visit newdream.org/junkmail to find out how.
30. Cut petroleum use (and indoor air pollution) by buying unscented, biodegradable laundry detergent.
31. Drive at or below the speed limit.
32. Drive more gently, avoiding abrupt starts and stops. You’ll save gas and lower your emissions — maybe your blood pressure, too.
33. Buy shampoo, body lotion, peanut butter, cooking oils and other products in bulk when you can, filling your own (reusable) container.
34. Use cloth dish towels instead of paper towels.
35. Use only the air-dry option on your dishwasher, or turn the machine off and open the door after the last rinse cycle is complete.
36. Turn your thermostat down at night and whenever you leave the house
37. Save and reuse cardboard boxes, padded envelopes, shipping containers.
38. Use cloth napkins that can be washed and reused for years.
39. Cover your pots when you are boiling water or cooking foods (like potatoes and pasta) in boiling water.
40. Use a crock pot instead of the stove top or oven to make a stew or soup.
41. Cook enough food for two meals so you only have to reheat the leftovers.
42. Use washcloths instead of disposable baby wipes — especially when you are at home.
43. Tell the automatic teller machine you don’t want that paper receipt and avoid monthly mailings by opting for online banking.
44. Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway and walkways.
45. Clear the air by avoiding scented air sprays, gels, candles and plug-in air fresheners.
46. Check books out of the library instead of buying new ones — especially if they are books your are unlikely to reread.
47. Use a chimney starter instead of charcoal lighter fuel to get your grill going.
48. Look for lump-style charcoal instead of briquettes, which can contain coal dust or petroleum products.
49. When you use your clothes dryer, clean out the filter after every load.
50. Stay at hotels/motels that save water and energy.
51. This summer, use your car’s air-conditioner only when you are traveling faster than 40 mph. Around town, just open the window.
52. For picnics, look for biodegradable and/or recycled disposable plates, cups and tableware.
<< 53. Plant a tree.
54. Check out freecycle.org.
55. Smile — it may not use less energy then frowning (as urban legend says), but it sure produces better results.
Check out the Low Carbon Diet, a 30-day program to lose 5,000 pounds (of carbon dioxide emissions, that is). It’s a day-by-day, fun program developed by David Gershon of the Empowerment Institute. It tells you how much CO2 you reduce by following the tips each day. Try the diet with a few friends!
For more info, check out www.empowermentinstitute.net.
Some helpful Web sites for more tips:
www.greenlivingtips.com
www.coopamerica.org/programs/livinggreen/
www.sierraclub.typepad.com/greenlife/tip_sheet
www.edbegley.com (Check out his new book, Living with Ed)
www.grist.org
For a list of what the city/county recycling center takes, call 955-2207 or go to www.santafenm.gov, click first on residents and then on refuse/recycling.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Uomi on -
21 Get yourself several different sized (so they fit in to each other) metal baskets from Jackalope. They can be fixed on to bikes and scooters and are very practical for carrying and holding stuff. I even hang them over my fence and keep necessities off the ground. I use them for carrying stuff in and out of the car, besides of course grocery shopping.
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Permalink Reply by Uomi on
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22. Shower and bath water can be left in the tub for a little while to use for flushing the toilet with a bucket.
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Permalink Reply by R Thomas Berner on -
23. Take Navy showers. Turn on the water, get wet, turn off the water, soap up, turn on the water to rinse, turn off the water. My water turn-on in a shower is 2 minutes.
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Permalink Reply by Eideard on -
Every electrical device in your home with a transformer - those little rectangular blocks that actually plug into the socket - is using electricity even if they aren't "turned on". If the transformer is warm or you see a little LED telling you the device is "ready to use" - you're consuming electricity.
Our study has two computing work areas - each with it's own UPS [uninterruptible power supply] for battery backup in case of one of PNM's little surprises. Gives us time to shut everything down properly. At the end of the workday, after shutting down our computers, etc., we hit the "OFF" button of each - and turn off every device in the study.
There's a similar setup in the living room for all the goodies that constitute our entertainment hub.
Figuring it out, we save $10-20 a month, this way.
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Permalink Reply by The Green Line on -
Here are some events and workshops coming up to help readers learn about and stay involved with "green" living.
TODAY
La Cienega Valley Energy Fair, 1-4 p.m., El Rancho de las Golondrinas. Presentations on weatherization, passive and active solar systems, tax benefits and more. La Cienega and La Cieneguilla residents can register to win a free weatherization package for their home.
MAY 10-18
Sustainability Week, New Mexico Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council. Green Building Lecture Series, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. May 10, The University of New Mexico Continuing Education, 1634 University Blvd. NE, Albuquerque; landscaping, solar PV systems, ecomortgages.
MAY 13
Green Drinks; 6 p.m.; 301 Central NW, Albuquerque; informal gathering to discuss green building issues.
MAY 14 AND 16
Workshops; 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; UNM Continuing Education, 1634 University Blvd., Albuquerque. Technical review of Leed rating systems for homes and existing buildings. For information, call Chris Kerlin at 505-227-0474.
MAY 17-18
Greenbuilt tour; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; tour sustainable homes and businesses in Albuquerque, Santa Fe and other locations; information at www.greenbuilttour.net.
MAY 12-18
Bike to Work Week; free bus transit for bicyclists; May 16, 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. On the Plaza: raffles, free food, free T-shirts, water bottles and "do-it-yourself" bicycle maintenance workshops. Discounted coffee and giveaways at Cloud Cliff Bakery, 1805 2nd St.
MAY 14-16
ICLEI Local Action Conference, Albuquerque Convention Center. Scientists, policymakers, local officials and others to talk about solutions to climate change at the local level; hosted by the city of Albuquerque; www.icleiactionsummit.org or call 801-649-2371.
MAY-AUGUST
Permaculture Institute, Pojoaque Valley. Three five-day workshops with hands-on learning in sheet mulching, water harvesting, seed harvesting, food preservation, natural building and more; www.permaculture.org.
JUNE 27-29
Taos Solar Music Festival; solar village, solar-powered music and lots of solar ideas; www.solarmusicfest.com for program and tickets.
July 2-11
Natural building courses at the Lama Foundation in Questa. July 2-3, alis plastering with Carole Crews; July 5-7, lime plastering with Bob Campbell; July 5-11, carpentry for women with Shay Salomon. Sliding scale fees and registration, 575-586-1269 or e-mail steward@lamafoundation.org.
SEPT. 20-21
New Mexico Solar Energy Association Solar Fiesta, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., Highland High School, Albuquerque. See a broad range of energy efficient building materials, solar equipment, renewable energy ideas and try out a few cool solar toys; www.nmsea.org or call 1-888-88-NMSOL.
OCT. 18-19
International Green Ideas Show, Albuquerque Convention Center; 505-883-9657 or info@IGIShows.org.
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Permalink Reply by Albo P. Fossa on -
(Two suggestions)
(One, for me:) If you're not already doing so, use the most efficient power-saving settings on your computer. E.g., hibernate when inactive for 5 minutes, full shutdown after 15. No screensaver. Shut your computer down nightly. In addition to all this, for you geeks out there, cut an hour off your computer life each day. Live!
(Two) Avoid the temptation to "consume more to consume less". Don't buy a new cotton shirt to replace your old rayon shirt because it's "greener." Use the rayon shirt up, first.
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