Go Green! By
Gianna Tabellija
Today I took a quiz
and realized that I am not green at all, when really I thought I was. So I did
some research on simple ways to go green.
Three simple things
you need to remember to do are:
Save water, save energy, and reduce waste!
Doing these things
can be complex or they can be a piece of vegan pie. Here is how to do them…
Save water-
-
Use barrels of water outside the next time it rains, so when you
want to water your plants just use the fresh rain water -
When using the dishwasher or laundry machine make sure it is a
full load. Using just half loads uses twice the amount of water. -
After boiling water wait till it cools, then save it for watering
plants. -
When running a bath or shower put a bucket under the faucet while
you are waiting for it to get hot. Use it for plants, pets, cleaning, etc.
-
Turn off the faucet when washing your face, shaving, or brushing
your teeth when you don’t need it, -
When printing use both sides of the paper. And on your e-mail put
“think before you print” footer. -
When in the shower turn off the water when you are shaving, etc.
-
Keep some water in the fridge for a quick glass, instead of
having to use the tap.
Save energy-
-
When starting up the car go ahead and drive the car right away.
Today’s cars don’t need to be warmed up. That causes unnecessary pollution. -
As the day gets chillier closing the curtains will stop the heat
from escaping the windows. -
Use your window for natural lighting, instead of using lights
during the day. -
Use the window as a fan, electric fans are so out.
-
In our lamps use energy saving bulbs.
-
Don’t leave your phone plug in all night. It only takes a few
hours. Charge it when you get home, then take it out before you sleep. -
Pull all plugs out after you are done using them. And turn off
cables. -
Give your computer a good night’s rest too. Turn it off and save
$ and CO2 -
Turn off your laptop/ computer when you take a short break or use
the restroom. -
Turn of the heater when you go to sleep, once you are snuggled up
you will never notice.
Reduce waste-
-
Donate your old furniture to a furniture recycler.
-
Have garage sales or donate it to goodwill.
-
Mow your lawn when its dry, and leave the clippings lying on the
grass to break down and feed the lawn underneath. -
If you have a water cooler at work or home use a plastic cup
instead of using paper of plastic cups. -
Go thrift shopping to find vintage clothing. It cuts our carbon
emissions made by making new clothes. -
Use scraps of material from curtains and old clothes to make
unique gift bags. You will not only reduce waste, but save cash! -
Rather than throwing away wine, put it in an ice maker for next
time you need to cook with wine. -
Add a “think before you print” footer to your e-mails.
-
Instead of buying little plastic packets of herbs, grow your own.
Don’t have garden? A port or window box will do. -
Buying non-perishable products in bulk is a good way of cutting
down unnecessary packaging.
The following tips were from the website furutefriendly.com
Here are some of my own tips, tricks, and products!
I used smaller font than I first planned. This helped save paper& ink.
-
Spread the word: E-mail this page to your friends or just show
them on your computer, but think before you print 😉 -
Spread the word: Use and old t-shirt, sweats, or sweatshirt to
make Go Green clothing. You can draw, write, tie- dye, stitch, or iron on go
green icons or words. -
Eat organic food, they don’t have nasty chemicals in them and
they are all natural. -
Use less paper in school. At the beginning of the year I always
buy too much college ruled paper. So this coming school year just buy one pack
and a binder. During the year if you need more, then buy it then. Also using a
binder instead of notebooks help. Because the packaging in the notebooks we
don’t use and never end up recycling. -
After buying beauty products no matter how cute the packaging is
you need to recycle it! -
When shopping if the bags are paper go ahead and save them to use
them as gift bags (if you think having a Hollister bag for a gift is lame go
ahead and decorate it!) if the store you are shopping at has plastic bags,
put your items in a different bag or bring a canvas bag. -
When grocery shopping either have no bags or canvas bags. If you
forgot and have to many items to stick in your car get the plastic bags then
use them for garbage bags, picking up your dog’s solid waste, or if you are
having a garage sale use them for the people with a bunch of stuff. -
Go through your old clothes and give them to younger siblings,
cousins, or friends. -
Every season go through you house and just get rid of stuff you
don’t need any more. -
In your bedroom have a garbage can for recycling, plastic
bottles, and garbage. I have recycling and plastic bottle separate because you
can bring in plastic bottles to a recycling company and get money off of that.
-
Have old electronics you don’t need? Recycle them to Blue Star
Electronics for free. Call (510) 259- 1879Use eco- friendly beauty products. At the drugstore some good
-
brands would be: Bert’s bees, Aveeno, St. Ives, Physicians formula, Sally
Hanson, and more. At Sephora or Macys: Origins, Josie Maran, Tarte, Korres,
and more! -
Go to Starbucks every morning? Use a portable coffee mug instead
of getting the new paper cups every time. -
Use henna to dye your hair instead of actually hair dye.
-
Make a compost
-
Lush products are great for the earth and their bags are 100%
compostable
I hope you enjoyed this and you will be using the following tips,
Gianna Tabellija
P.s. Think before you print 😉 How about forwarding?
Written By
Gianna Tabellija
A 13 Year Old Girl
Blue Star Recycling 