How do I go Green?
Going green does not have to be a difficult thing. It is actually fun! We have a top ten list for you to review and get started with below.
Save energy to save money,
Set your thermostat few degrees lower in the winter and a few degrees higher in the summer to save on heating and cooling costs.
Install (CFLs) or (LED's) when your older incandescent bulbs burn out.
Unplug appliances when you're not using them. Or, use a smart power strip that senses when appliances are off and cuts "phantom" or "vampire" energy use.
Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible. As much as 85 percent of the energy used to machine-wash clothes goes to heating the water.
Use a drying rack or clothesline to save the energy otherwise used during machine drying.
Save water to save money.
Take shorter showers to reduce water use. This will lower your water and heating bills too.
Install a low-flow showerhead. They don't cost much, and the water and energy savings can quickly pay back your investment.
Make sure you have a faucet aerator on each faucet. These inexpensive appliances conserve heat and water, while keeping water pressure high.
Plantdrought tolerant plants in your garden. Many plants need minimal watering. Find out which occur naturally in your area.
Less gas = more money (and better health!)
Walk or Bike to work. This saves gas and parking costs while improving your cardiovascular health and reducing your risk of obesity.Consider telecommuting if you live far from your work. Or move closer. Even if this means paying more rent, it could save you money in the long term.
Lobby your local government to increase spending on sidewalks and bike lanes. With little cost, these improvements can pay huge dividends in bettering your health and reducing traffic
Eat smart.
If you eat meat, add one meatless meal a week. Meat costs a lot at the store-and it's even more expensive when you consider the related environmental and health costs.
Buy locally raised, humane, and organic meat, eggs, and dairy whenever you can. Purchasing from local farmers keeps money in the local economy.
Skip the bottled water.
Use a water filter to purify tap water instead of buying bottled water. Not only is bottled water expensive, but it generates large amounts of container waste.
Bring a reusable water bottle, preferably aluminum rather than plastic, with you when traveling or at work.
Think before you buy.
Go online to find new or gently used secondhand products. Whether you've just moved or are looking to redecorate, consider a service like craigslist or your community freecycle site to track down furniture, appliances, and other items cheaply or for free.
Check out garage sales, thrift stores, and consignment shops for clothing and other everyday items.
Borrow instead of buying.
Borrow from libraries instead of buying personal books and movies. This saves money, not to mention the ink and paper that goes into printing new books.
Share power tools and other appliances. Get to know your neighbors while cutting down on the number of things cluttering your closet or garage.
Buy smart.
Buy in bulk. Purchasing food from bulk bins can save money and packaging.
Wear clothes that don't need to be dry-cleaned. This saves money and cuts down on toxic chemical use.
Invest in high quality and long lasting products. You might pay more now, but you'll be happy when you don't have to replace items as frequently (and this means less waste!).
Keep electronics out of the trash.
Keep your cell phones, computers, and other electronics as long as possible.
Donate or recycle them responsibly when the time comes.E-waste contains mercury and other toxics and is a growing environmental problem. Recycle you cellphone.
Ask your local government to set up an electronics recycling program and/or a hazardous waste collection event. Lancaster County Solid Waste Authority has a great residential program.
Make your own cleaning supplies.
The big secret:you can make safe and effective cleaning products whenever you need them. All you need are a few simple ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, lemon, and soap.
Making your own cleaning products saves money, time, and packaging-not to mention your indoor air quality.
Good Guide is a website that uses scientific information to keep you informed about products you buy.
Watch this video to learn more
The Good Guide mobile app makes it fast and easy to find safe, healthy, green, and ethical products, instantly deliverying the information you need, when you need it most — in a store and on the go.
- Comprehensive: Find health, environmental, and social performance ratings for over 120,000 food, personal care, and household products—from baby shampoo to bathroom cleaner.
- Quick, and Easy: Barcode scanning makes it easier than ever to retrieve product ratings and information on your phone while you shop. Or browse and lookup up products with just a few taps.
- Personalized: Select the issues you care about most to see how products perform on your preferences. Get customized product recommendations. Create your own personal shopping lists.
Skin Deep contains information and online safety assessments for:
70,247 products | 2,906 brands | 253,934,397 searches since 2004
The core of Skin Deep is an electronic product database that contains ingredients in 70,247 products. EWG obtained detailed information on these products from online retailers, manufacturers, product packaging, and, to a lesser extent, through other methods described below. In most cases the information we obtain includes a brand name, product name, directions for use, warnings, ingredients, package/advertising text, and indications (cosmeceuticals).
Green Home Certification and Education Programs
Reviews and advice for green remodeling and living. Articles, directories of recommended products and green building professionals and retailers.
There are two kinds of green residential programs: national programs and local programs. National programs (listed below) offer green building certification and/or education nationwide. Local programs are provided by organizations that have a defined geographical focus whether it be a metropolitan area, a county (or counties), statewide or regional.
The Playbook provides local governments with guidance and resources to rapidly advance green buildings, neighborhoods and infrastructure.
Strategic action in these sectors promotes economic development, builds healthier communities, strengthens energy independence, and supports climate protection.
