Think Green this Earth Day!

Think Green!

Earth Day is Thursday, April 22nd… and we can think of no better time to start doing what we can to protect the environment and make the world a better place for future generations. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of eco-friendly tips for better health and sustainable living. We’d love to hear more ideas from you, so please share!

• Instead of driving everywhere, consider walking, biking or using public transit when you can.

• Carpool whenever possible.

• Keep your tires inflated. It saves fuel and tires, and it lowers emissions.

• Doing lots of traveling and commuting? Offset your carbon footprint at www.carbonfund.org.

• Plant a tree! They absorb carbon dioxide, provide shade, help control water run off and are a natural habitat for animals.

• Let your grass grow longer. Don’t over-water your lawn. Plant native or drought-tolerant plants.

• When gardening, use natural predators instead of pesticides, which are harmful to the environment.

• Get a push mower for your lawn. Traditional gas mowers are terrible for air quality and the environment. If a push mower isn’t a feasible option for you, consider purchasing a plug-in electric model.

• When you’re done mowing, keep your clippings. They make great mulch.

• Get rid of your leaf blower. These too are awful for the environment. Try a broom, or a rake, instead. (Plus, it’s great exercise!)

• Be particular about the fish that you eat. Many species are over-fished, which can have a devastating impact on the ecosystem. Visit www.seafoodwatch.org to learn about sustainably harvested fish. Also, learn more about high mercury content in some seafood species.

• Buy shade-grown coffee to protect bird habitats.

• Think globally, shop locally. Try to buy organic, locally grown food rather than food that has been transported across long distances.

• Shut your blinds or curtains during the day to keep your house cool, reducing the use of air conditioning

• Lower your thermostat in winter; raise it in the summer.

• Turn the lights off when you leave a room.

• Replace your light bulbs with LEDs. They have a much higher lifespan than ordinary bulbs and reduce energy consumption

• Conserve water. Don’t let your faucets run. Run the dishwasher only when it’s full. Collect rain water in barrels and use it for your plants.

• Switch from disposable to reusable products: cups, plates, shopping bags, storage containers.

• Switch from paper napkins to cloth napkins.

• Donate, barter or re-sell items that you no longer use.

• Use environmentally friendly cleansers in your home.

• Reduce, reuse, recycle!

• Avoid buying products that are packaged for single use—such as drinks, candy, etc). Buy in bulk and keep things in reusable containers.

• When purchasing new appliances, make sure that they are Energy Star efficient.

• At the office, use bleach-free, recycled paper and environmentally friendly soy-based ink.

• Volunteer for the environment. Work locally and globally to save natural spaces, reduce pollution and prevent urban sprawl.

• Buy clothes that utilize natural, sustainable and earth-friendly resources.

• Hand wash rather than dry clean whenever possible. If you must dry clean your clothes, go to a dry cleaner that uses nontoxic chemicals and cleaning techniques.

• Do laundry only when you have a full load. Washing requires lots of water and energy, so only do it when necessary. Use the lowest possible temperature possible. Choose phosphate-free and biodegradable detergents. And line-dry as much as possible.

• Teach your children to love and care for the planet.