Green living
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This document provides tips for living more sustainably through various categories such as energy, water, waste management, home improvements, indoor living, shopping, and transportation. Some key recommendations include performing an energy audit and using energy efficient appliances to save on energy costs, only running full loads in the dishwasher and washing machine to conserve water, composting food scraps and recycling appropriately to reduce waste, and choosing low emission or public transportation options to reduce environmental impact. The overall message is that small changes in various areas of life can collectively help conserve natural resources and save money while benefitting health and setting a good environmental example.
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Green living
- 1. LIVING SUSTAINABLY Ways to GREEN Your Life
Editor's Notes
- Turn it off – lights/tvs off when leaving the room Programmable thermostat – Virginia Natural Gas program allows customers to receive a free one, installation included Ceiling fans – reverse in the winter to send heat back into living space Daylighting – open the blinds, keep windows clean for maximum sunlight Power strip – entertainment system can be plugged into one for easy switch off at night Energy audit – an audit can tell you where air is leaking into/from your home Beware of phantom loads ! Chargers and other electronics left plugged in can draw energy from the grid, even when turned off Microwave/toaster oven – Choose these over a large oven when cooking/baking something small Energy Star – When replacing appliances and windows, choose Energy-Star rated products for maximum energy efficiency Fluorescents – Use 70% less energy, last 7 times as long, and come in much better wattage and appearance options than previously Cold-water washing – The soap is what kills bacteria and removes dirt. Using cold water to wash clothes saves energy and extends the life of the clothing Outlet gasket – Inexpensive foam inserts are easy to install and stops air leaks
- Landscaping – rain barrels, choose native plants (pest-resistant, drought tolerant), mulch the garden to reduce watering Leaks – fix them Go low-flow – turn off tap while brushing teeth, install flow restrictor on shower head/toilet, shower for 5minutes or less, brick or water jug in toilet tank Keep oils, solvent, paints or thinners out of sinks or drains – take to new facility Wash only full loads – dishwasher & washing machine Lawn-wash the car – keeps dirty water/soaps out of storm drain system and the Bay F.O.G. – Fats, oils & grease – keep out of drains (dispose of in a can in the garbage). They congeal and clog the drain, which will allow sewage to back up into the home
- What can I recycle? Newspapers, unwanted mail, plastic bottles & jugs, glass bottles and jars, aluminum foil/pie plates/cans, steel cans, cardboard, magazines, telephone books Does it have to be clean? Try to rinse out, mainly to avoid unpleasant odors and pests When is it? Every other week on the same day as your regular trash collection Close the loop! Many want to know why we can’t recycle certain items in our area. If there is no market for the item, no vendor/manucaturer wants to purchase the resource. Buying recycled helps ensure the continuation of recycling in our area. Compost / Green Cone – About 13% of our waste (EPA) consists of food waste. Much of this can be recycled into nutrient-rich soil for reuse on lawns & gardens Unwanted mail – there are several services that allow citizens to opt out of certain mailing lists. With nearly 1/3 of waste coming from paper, this can quickly reduce the amount of waste paper and unnecessary transportation costs HHW/electronics – Electronics are the fastest growing waste stream in the United states, often contain toxic or recyclable materials. These and HHW and can be taken to the new facility on Pineridge Rd. Rechargeable batteries are easily found, last longer and readily accepted for recycling at many stores such as Radio Shack. Dining options – Choose reusable options, such as a lunchbox and coffee mug, over disposable options. If disposable is necessary, opt for those made from cellulose or recycled content.
- Reduce – the amount of waste be reusing where you can. Cheaper as well Reuse Recycle Windows Paint Deck – Made from recycled plastic bags, Trex or other recycled content materials last longer, come in a variety of colors (no need to repaint!), are termite/splinter free and do not rot. Trex is a Virginia-based company, so an added bonus is supporting our local economy. Roof – green/vegetated roof, light-colored roof to reflect sunlight Driveway/walkway – pervious systems to reduce stormwater runoff/filter rain water
- Smoke-free zone Natural plants – Snake plants, ficus, peace lily, ferns and philodendrons are great air filters and generally easy to maintain Cleaning products – Opt for those with no toxic chemicals, are biodegradable, or make your own with baking soda and vinegar Paints – Look for no-VOC or low-VOC paints. VOCs are Volatile Organic Compounds (which can often be smelled)
- Buy local – reduction in transportation costs (produce travels an average of 1500 miles), fresher/healthier produce, supports local economy Organic? – reduces pesticides, herbicides, hormones and other chemicals introduced to the body and the soil/groundwater Meatless Mondays – It’s estimated 1800-2500 gallons of water are needed just for 1lb of beef, whereas it takes only 220gallons for 1 lb of soybeans. Just having one vegetarian dish per week can increase health and decrease the drain on natural resources. Content – Take a look at what the product is made from, and where it’s made. Look for recycled content and a local manufacturer. Packaging – Generally the healthier the product is, the less packaging it requires (think produce section). Also consider the amount of packaging in other products (think kids’ toys) and look for alternatives that don’t generate so much waste. Previously owned – Craig’s List, consignment shops and thrift stores are a great option for saving items from a landfill, eliminating the production costs in natural resources for new products, and keeping more money in your wallet.
- Combine trips Fuel economy – Stick to the speed limit, avoid quick starts, keep tires full of air and balanced, keep car serviced, look for fuel effiency when considering a replacement vehicle, implement a no-idling policy in your household. Low emissions NuRide – sign up for the program and log your progress, you’ll be rewarded with prizes like Starbucks gift cards! Healthy options – Biking, running, walking to your destination Public transportation