by Barbara A. Clark

Created on: January 14, 2008

25 Easy Things You Can Do To Make The World a Little Greener

Are you looking for some quick ideas on how to be more environmentally friendly this year? Here are 25 easy ways to make a positive impact on the planet, without making a noticeable impact on your wallet.

1. Replace incandescent bulbs with fluorescent bulbs in your home. If your budget is tight, consider replacing one for each paycheck. By the end of the year, you should have all of your bulbs replaced and a lower electricity bill.

2. Never collect another paper or plastic shopping bag again. Buy a cloth bag to use for smaller loads and recycle those plastic bags you already have around the house. Keep some bags by your front door, in your car, at work, or in a handbag as a reminder never to leave the house or work without your packing supplies. When you stop off to buy groceries or another item after work, you'll be prepared.

3. Insulate your home in key areas. Add weather stripping around windows and doors. Wrap your water heater. Put plastic sheets around windows in the winter. Buy heavy drapes for windows particularly prone to drafts.

4. Consider organizing or joining a carpool to get to work or use public transportation. You'll enjoy the company and feeling of camaraderie from carpool that's united in a cause and if using public transportation, get some exercise, too.

5. Use cloth products whenever possible. Use dish towels instead of paper towels, cloth napkins instead of paper and the old fashioned handkerchief instead of facial tissues.

6. Make an effort to use cloth diapers for your baby instead of plastic. If it's a difficult concept for you, try using cloth during the day and plastic at night to start.

7. Invest in buying green cleaning supplies for your home instead of the harsh chemical products you may be used to. If you're on a strict budget, try one new product each month and by the end of the year, you will have replaced your old products with green products.

8. When getting money from an ATM machine, choose "No" when it asks if you want a receipt. You'll save some trees and it will help you to be more disciplined in your budget and record-keeping as you'll get in the habit of writing it all down in a timely way.

9. Make it a goal to never throw away used clothing, toys or workable household goods again. Give them away or sell them in a garage sale on-line or consignment shop.

10. Use power-strips on all your appliances and electronics. Turn them off everyday when you leave your home.

11. Unplug

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