Keeping the environment healthy is everyone’s responsibility, and when it comes to rising to the challenge of taking care of the environment, the small steps matter a lot. Gradually modifying your habits can lead to great results. If you don’t know where to start, here are some tips.

Green Electricity

Energy efficiency is not only environment-friendly, it also saves you hundreds of dollars on energy bill each year. Replace fluorescent lights with incandescent bulbs. Replace old and leaky windows and doors with energy-efficient models; it will give you up to 24% savings on heating and air-conditioning bills and increase comfort levels in the home, too. Completely unplug appliances and electronic devices when not in use, as devices still consume electricity when on standby mode. To save you the trouble of constant plugging/ unplugging, consider investing in power strips.

Green Water

Having a water filter will allow you to have a constant supply of fresh and clean drinking water. It involves substantial initial investment, but in the long run will give you more savings than buying bottled water. Bottled water means more carbon footprint -- plastic bottles in landfills, gas for grocery runs, gas for transportation of bottled water from production site to grocery, etc.

Green Shopping

The principle “reduce, reuse, recycle” is central to the practice of green living, and there’s no easier way to implement it than at the grocery. First, create a shopping list, taking note of the items in your pantry. This will allow you to stick to items that you need most and therefore reduce food waste. Second, bring your own shopping bags with you. Plastic or paper grocery bags contribute to landfill waste, while fabric bags can be re-used again and again.

Buy items that you can use again and again, such as a rechargeable battery, coffee cups instead of plastic cups, or cloth towels instead of paper towels. If an electronic device breaks down, see if you can have it repaired instead of buying a new one.

Lastly, opt for recycled products, such as paper. You’ll also find accessories and items made of eco-friendly materials such as cotton and bamboo.

Small Contributions, Big Difference

Every contribution to the green movement counts. Even the smallest changes can help improve the world we live in. Every effort to reduce your carbon footprint can make a big difference and help preserve the planet for future generations to enjoy.

Source:

• www.greenlivinglifestyle.com