We’re all hearing more these days about being kinder to the environment, and with back-to-school upon us, now is a great time to establish some easy new habits. Kids may even be learning more about eco-friendliness in school, so going green can often be a family project. There are many ways each person can make a difference.
* Recycle Daily Use Items– Aside from recycling in the traditional way, by putting papers, cans and plastics into bins, there’s also the idea of reusing materials. Try to reuse plastics and the like multiple times before throwing them into the garbage or recycling bin. Pack school lunches in re-usable containers. Use inexpensive non-disposable utensils, dishes and cups rather than the disposable variety.
* Recycle Electronics – Many communities and local stores offer recycling of cell phones, computers, tvs, etc. Keeping these out of landfills helps keep soil and water safer. (Electronics recycling in Fairfield County: ER&R or ForeRunner)
* Compost – It’s much easier to do than you may think! Simply create a pile in your yard if you have a wooded or shaded area or use a bin (available at garden centers or easy to make your own). All produce rinds, pits and leftovers, coffee grounds, most cardboard (ie, toilet paper cores, pasta boxes), and rinsed egg shells can be added. No meat products. Simply start putting the items into the pile in your yard and cover with leaves and dirt each time you add to it. Soon you’ll have rich soil to use for all sorts of gardening and you’ll greatly reduce the amount of garbage put into your trash. (How to Compost At Home)
* Take Note of Product Packaging – try to buy items packed in recycled and/or recyclable materials. The more in-demand it is, the more prevalent and less expensive it will become. Also, despite the minor convenience of individually-wrapped items packed into a larger pack, think about how much garbage this creates. Are the benefits really worth the disadvantages? There are many simple ways to buy in bulk and create your own individual packages, such as using reusable containers.
* Use Freecycle.com, CraigsList.com and other websites that encourage reusing of existing items rather than continually buying new. Plus you can have a lot of fun at the many local consignment shops that pepper our area. These are especially good for children’s’ items, which often are barely used or brand new.
* Reduce Energy Usage – This can be accomplished in many ways that will noticeably impact your energy bill. These include turning off appliances when not in use, and unplugging them whenever possible. Turning off and unplugging computers alone, can result in significant savings. Also, the technology of energy-efficient lightbulbs has come a long way, so they are now considered a very smart and effective alternative to traditional lightbulbs. These are just a few ideas. You can even receive tax credit for switching to some energy-efficient appliances (federal tax credit)! A home energy audit may also help. For more info on this and overall energy savings, visit www.CtEnergyInfo.com)
* Consolidate Errands – Just a quick reminder on the cost and resource savings that come from organizing errands geographically.
* Reduce Water Waste – Simply by not letting the water run continually while brushing teeth and washing dishes, you can help preserve one of our most precious resources, clean and safe water. Click here for some very easy ways to conserve water.
More philosophically, think about the important life lessons you can teach kids by trying to reduce their interest in transient stuff, so they won’t be bogged down with material things, and trying to create more memories by focusing time and money on experiences rather than stuff.
Share your recycling successes here.
