GOOD ENOUGH...TO BE INFORMED

A FEW TIPS AND SUGGESTIONS TO LIVING GREEN

• 90% of the energy used by your washing machine goes to heat water. *Try the cold cycle instead
• Producing and disposing all of the junk mail and extra catalogues you receive in the US each year releases as much CO2 as 2.8 million cars. A service like GreenDimes (www.greendimes.com) and Catalog Choice (from previous post) can help you cut off junk mail almost completely.
• If Americans used one less package of non-recycled paper napkins for every home in the country, it would save 1 million trees.
• Americans throw away about 40 billion disposable coffee cups each year. Buy yourself a reusable cup and help change the "on the go" look.
• Unplug chargers (cell phone chargers, iPod chargers, computer chargers, etc.) when they're not charging. This will reduce about 100 pounds of carbon emissions per year per charger.
• Many people love long hot showers. Its a luxury. Speed up your shower. By spending just two minutes less in the shower each day could prevent about 400 pounds of CO2 (in the form of energy used to heat and treat the water) from entering the atmosphere each year)
• Check your water heaters temperature. Hot water heaters are the third largest expense on your home. By lowering the thermostat to 120 degrees F, you will still maintain extremely warm water, just not factory setting temperatures!
• Plastic shopping bags can last up to over a thousand years in a land fill once disposed of. This might not seem to affect you, until you break it down. Once thrown away, they "decompose" into tiny, toxic particles that become part of the soil and water. Thankfully, cities and stores across the U.S. are banning the option of "Paper or Plastic." When you go out shopping (groceries, clothes, etc.) bring your own bag(s)! Many grocery stores are now selling for a low cost, great sturdy bags. Check out a previous post and buy a FEED bag!