Change your Habits or Routine
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If you must have something new, then give something old away
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Use reusable cups or containers for coffee or water instead of the paper or plastic ones supplied by the store
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Remember your childhood training and turn off lights and water when not in use
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Forget about paper towels and use cotton dish towels, just like your grandma
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I use a reusable coffee filter instead of buying paper one
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Make your own cleaning products
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Take the bus or ride a bike – leave the car in the garage
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If you’ve got babies then use washable diapers instead of putting dirty diapers in the landfill
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Lower your thermometer in the summer and raise it in the winter
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Bring your own bag to the store instead of using plastic or paper bags
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Recycle — paper, plastic, metal and glass. Also see: Recycle, Recycle, Recycle
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Save energy by keeping the fridge door open only for as long as you need to
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Wash full loads of dishes and/or clothes instead of half loads. This habit will save both water and energy
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Start a garden and grow your own food
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Send an eCard instead of a paper one
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Compost your garden and kitchen waste Food and garden waste like vegetable peelings, grass and plant cuttings can be turned into compost
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Evaluate your Purchases
- Select items that aren’t over-packaged
- Buy fresh food instead of processed foods which are often over-packaged
- Buy bulk and then package at home in smaller reusable containers
- Repair electrical goods. It will probably cost you less than buying a replacement. It will certainly reduce the landfill.
- Reuse or re-purpose stuff
- Buy bulk and share with your friends or neighbors
- Buy locally grown produce – saves on transportation costs
- Buy the best that you can afford, hopefully it will last longer
- Shop the thrift stores
- Buy recycled products whenever possible. You can ask your local authority about recycling in your area.
- Use refill packs like washing powders, liquids, fabric softeners and dishwasher products. You buy one original large bottle, then simply refill when empty
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Reduce Water Use
- Turn the tap off when you brush your teeth
- Take a shower instead of a bath because showering uses 2 to 3 times less water
- Take the time to fix dripping faucets
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Conserve Energy
- Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent tube [CFT]) ones
- An easy thing to do is to turn the lights off when you leave a room
- Turn your thermostat down in the winter and up in the summer. I keep mine set at 68°F in the winter and 78°F in the summer
- Turn of electronics when not in use because leaving them on stand-by uses large amounts of unnecessary energy
- Make sure the damper on the fireplace fits tightly to conserve heat and reduce energy loss
- Insulate properly – sealing off drafts and unnecessary air vents will help to keep warm air in and cold air out
- Check the pressure in you tires and keep your care properly tuned to save fuel, money and energy
- If you’re stuck in traffic for more than a couple of minutes, turn off your engine to save fuel
- Use a park & ride whenever possible
- Find more ways to conserve energy
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