Simple things we all can do.

Most of the big ideas; boycotting cars, giving up all possessions and blowing up all the generating stations already have their own threads.

I was just thinking that there must be among us many simple everyday ideas that we do, that if applied by other individuals would make a difference. Maybe not a big difference but if enough people did them it could make a big difference.

Okay, here are the rules:
It should be something a person can do without making over their whole life.
It should be fairly inexpensive. Let’s say under $100.
Remember we all make mistakes. If someone says something you disagree with point out the mistake and give an alternative.
No arguments, this is a thread for suggestions.


Here goes:

I was thinking something like, when making steamed vegetables (organic of course) using the water that you boiled to steam them to make tea, thus saving energy.



Looking forward to applying your suggestions,

OWB

 

Experiment with growing your own herbs/spices.

If you don't have much experience with gardening/farming or if you have limited space, growing your herbs/spices is good start to growing your own food. Spices are expensive and are usually imported from countries halfway around the world.

Here's a good video on apartment growing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PM-U06C418s

 

Bring your own bags instead of relying on paper or plastic bags when you go shopping.

Peace and love

 

Give up meat one day a week-Meatless Mondays.

 

Start a small vegetable garden. You can even just use a kids' swimming pool, like on here:
http://www.arts4all.com/elca/

 

Use at least one less napkin a day

 

Eat less meat. You ll actually save money I think.

 

Use tissue, washable napkins

 

Make full-length curtains out of two space blankets for your sliding glass doors; you can sew a strip of cloth across the top to go over the curtain rod (using zigzag stitch). Just put regular curtains over the top of them or make a curtain rod holder that will hold two curtain rods; the space blanket one go next to the window; regular curtains on the inside to look nice and add extra insulation.

Use a crockpot.

 

*Shop at the farmer's market for your veggies instead of the supermarket chain.
*Take shorter showers
*Shower with a friend
*Hand-wash delicates while in the shower. One item a day keeps your shower time down.
*Brush your teeth while you're in there, too!
*Buy in bulk: Less packaging
*Stick a water bottle full of pebbles in your toilet tank. (uses less water per flush)
*Plant erosion-fighting groundcover. (ground ivy is pretty cheap)
*Recycle
*Purchase items secondhand instead of new; dumpster-dive; donate your unwanted items instead of pitching them.
*Turn off the lights when you leave the room
*Turn down the thermostat when you leave for the day or on vacation.
*If you have a car, keep it in good repair to reduce emissions. (Tuneups run ~$50 around here)
*Line dry your laundry
*Or, cut your dryer sheets into 4 strips, and use one for each load. Works the same.
*Purchase/swap a copy of The Tightwad Gazette, which has thousands of tips culled from a newsletter of the same name.
*Send a postcard instead of a letter.
*Use a little less dishwashing detergent each time until you find out how little you actually need to get the dishes clean.
*Apply same principle to shampoo, laundry soap, toothpaste, etc.

 

Use a bicycle, instead of a car.

 

Own only one fork one spoon and one knife, One Plate, One drinking glass,

 

Keep your car tires inflated-costs nothing and improves gas mileage.
Get a programable thermostat for your furnace so it automatically shuts off when you're at work/school and asleep.
Use compact fluorescent light bulbs.

 

- compost your green leftovers
- paper that you dont need, but the back is written on, you can use as a notition block. Or use the backside to print out stuff that is for yourself.
- clothes that you do not fit anymore can be changed into something new, or you can change clothes with a friend
- use as much biological substitute's that you can afford (chemical washing stuff can be biological)
- d.i.y. stuff from recycled or/and natural stuff.

 

-Turn off your computer when not in use
-Use you bed linens, towels longer between washings
-Shower less / take shorter showers
-Re-use pet food sacks or any other large bags for garbage bags at home
-If you have a wood stove for heat use it's top for heating water or any other cooking you can
-If you have a stand alaone freezer put it outside for the winter. (I don't even have mine plugged in for 6 months of the year it's so cold here)
-Keep you thermostat set lower and wear a sweater
-Turn off your air conditioner and get a few fans. (easy for me to say since I don't live in a hot place)
-I now this isn't a cheap thing to do, but replace your old refrigerator and other appliances with newer ones with the energy star. They pay for themselves in energy savings over a period of time.
- This has already been said, but cutting down the miles we drive will make a huge difference
-Plug your TVs, DVD players, play stations etc. into an outlet strip you can turn off when not in use. These types of electronics draw power even when turned off. Some estimates suggest that 15% or more of a homes power use is in these phantom draws, devices using power when turned off.
-Same with cell phone chargers, they draw power when plugged into the wall even with no cell phone attached. Or get an auto charger and charge your phone whil driving.

 

Again if you haven’t given up your car yet, next time you go to the store or the mall don’t try to get close to the door, just park in the first space you come to, you know, the ones where no one parks. You’ll save gas not driving around in circles trying to find that perfect spot. You’ll get more exercise. No one will bang their car door into the side of your car. Also it’s easier to find your car when you come back out.

 

The C-store I work at is now selling canvas bags as an alternative to plastic bags. I am going to buy one once a new shipment comes in. We started selling them on Tuesday and last night we were out. I found out about it last night, otherwise I would have one. I get so many plastic bags from there and I try not to just throw them away w/o using them as trash bags or bags to collect plastic bottles for recycling. Now I won't have so many floating around! I'm glad this campus is getting somewhat green, although I don't expect huge changes overnight, however, a thousand mile journey starts w/ a single step!

Peace and love

 

While cooking, to save energy:
-always use a lid, (cover): you will need less time and less power
-if you cook potatoes and other big veggies: cut them in pieces (do not cook them whole), it 'll take less time to cook.

 

When you go hiking always try to carry out a little more trash than you took with you. That way you pay the earth back for the good time you had.

 

I know, how about try, complete overhaul of your power, try solar, manure, compost burners and all that. might be nice to be self sufficient.