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Many times people get overwhelmed when they are trying to "go green". Where do you get started?
Here are a few tips of things you can do to become environmentally responsible in your home and life:
- Change all of your light bulbs to "all star" energy rated bulbs. You know, the ones that are squigly. This will reduce your carbon footprint significantly. Too expensive you say? Stock up when you see them on sale. Even if you just switch out the ones in your home that burn out, then you will save money.
Highly efficient compact fluorescent bulbs may cost more than regular incandescent bulbs, but their efficient use of electricity and long operating life can offset the cost. Here’s how: Suppose your living room table lamp is turned on for 1,000 hours a year and your local electric utility charges eight cents per kilowatt hour. A regular incandescent 60-watt bulb will cost less to buy, but will need to be replaced at least once a year. Compare that to a 15-watt compact fluorescent bulb, which may cost you $10, but may last you as long as 10 years. And your savings don’t end there. The compact fluorescent bulb costs about $1.20 a year to operate, while the standard bulb costs about $4.80. The benefits of compact fluorescent bulbs? Lower operating costs, longer life, and a more efficient use of energy.
2. Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
* Participate in your community’s recycling program. Don’t throw something that can be recycled into the trash.
* Look for the recycling symbol. Buy products that use recycled components or that can be recycled whenever you can.
* Start a compost pile.
* To help your community save the time and money it spends separating the items it recycles from the ones it doesn’t, find out which are appropriate for the recycling bins.
3. Start a worm bin. I've written on how to start your own worm bin before. You can get worm bins from Goods for the Planet. located at 525 Dexter Ave N, Seattle, or call them at Phone:(206) 652-2327. Or if you live in the Seattle City Limits, they will pick up your food waste and use it for composting in local parks.
For more information: visit the Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network website at www.energysavers.gov or call toll-free 1-877-EERE-INF (1-877-337-3463). call toll-free 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357, TDD: 1-866-653-4261). EPA has information on recycling at www.epa.gov or from the Pollution Prevention Information Clearinghouse at 202-566-0799.Seattle Public Utilities website: http://www.seattle.gov/util/FoodWaste
Taraneh Guidry is a Seattle area mom of two. She is constantly looking for tips and tricks on how to live simply. Email her at seattlemommy@verizon.net or Follow her on Twitter @seattlemommy
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