Steps to a Greener 2012

by Amanda Miller Allen

Table of Contents

You don’t have to take drastic steps to lessen your “carbon footprint,” that evil-sounding measure of the impact you and your household have on the environment. Use Earth Day – this year April 22 – as an incentive to change your ways. With just a few small adjustments, your family can transform from dastardly villains to eco-heroes.

Limit household chemicals; use green products or substitute natural cleaners where possible (olive oil as a wood polisher, baking soda as a scouring powder).
Set up designated bins to recycle packaging and paper, plastic, cans, glass and newspapers.
Pledge to do “an act of green” – Xeriscaping, limiting electricity use, recycling – or measure your carbon footprint at earthday.org.
To save electricity and gas, adjust the thermostat; turn off lights not in use; replace old appliances with energy-efficient ones; unplug electronics when not in use; keep your freezer full (or fill milk jugs with water) so the freezer doesn’t work so hard to maintain temperature; insulate your house; when the roof needs replacing, consider a metal roof made of recycled aluminum cans.

Avoid over-packaged foods. Do you really need every slice of cheese individually wrapped?
Use recyclable totes to haul groceries. If you must use plastic bags, recycle them at your supermarket.
Consider a meatless day – it takes less energy to raise vegetables than livestock.
Choose locally grown vegetables to lower transportation costs and save energy.

Plant a garden for fresh vegetables and to save on transportation costs.
Say “no” to pesticides on lawn or garden; control pests organically.
Compost vegetable scraps and eggshells – the rich soil will help your garden grow.
Set up rain barrels to harvest water for your lawn and garden.

Minimize paper use by paying bills online.
Opt out of mail solicitations and avoid killing trees for junk mail (optoutprescreen.com or 888-567-8688).
Borrow books from the library or pass on books you’ve purchased to another reader.
Donate clothing, household items and furniture to charity or consider Freecycle (freecycle.org), which connects people who want to give away an item with people who need the item.
Recycle or donate old electronics when you buy new ones; turn in old computer printer cartridges to office supply stores for a discount.
Contact your community’s Keep America Beautiful affiliate for information on recycling centers or special collections.
When you can, shop at resale or thrift stores for gently used fashions, household items or furniture.

Replace old gas-guzzlers with fuel-efficient vehicles or alternative fuel vehicles.
Carpool with other parents to transport the kids, or put them on the bus.
Use public transportation when possible or carpool with a friend or coworker.
Combine errands to limit car trips and gas usage.
Avoid long lines at fast-food restaurants, drive-through banks or the cleaners where your car might idle for a long period.