100 Ways to be Green
1. Recycle, recycle, recycle.
2. Avoid disposable plates, cups and utensils.
3. Use rags instead of paper towels.
4. Use the back of discarded paper for scratch paper.
5. Use water from cooking vegetables to make soup
6. Purchase goods in reusable or recyclable containers.
7. Compost your food scraps.
8. Use non-toxic pest control.
9. Volunteer in a community garden.
10. Grow your own food.
11. Eat less meat or no meat.
12. Support food co-ops and farmer’s markets.
13. Buy as much as possible from local merchants.
14. Volunteer to maintain a local park.
15. Plant trees.
16. Use non-toxic biodegradable soaps and detergents.
17. Turn off the water when you brush your teeth and shave.
18. Weather proof your home.
19. Hang your clothes out to dry.
20. Don’t burn green wood.
21. Turn off lights.
22. Turn down your water heater.
23. Lower your thermostat.
24. Don’t heat or cool empty rooms.
25. Take shorter showers.
26. Buy energy efficient appliances.
27. Buy and LCD rather than plasma TV.
28. Use rechargeable batteries.
29. Conserve gas — walk, ride a bike or carpool.
30. Support local credit unions.
31. Sponsor a clothes swap.
32. Decrease TV watching.
33. Buy 100% recycled paper.
34. Put your PC to sleep.
35. Use refilled ink cartridges or soy ink.
36. Use laptops — they use 90% less energy.
37. Recycle electronics — Earth911.org.
38. Use a rain barrel.
39. Use mulch and ground cover to reduce water evaporation and hinder weed growth.
40. Water in the early morning.
41. Grow native plants to help wildlife.
42. Provide water for wildlife.
43. Build bird and bat houses.
44. Use mosquito barrier made from garlic extract.
45. Use bug repellants containing oil of lemon eucalyptus.
46. Get a rechargeable battery mower or manual push mower.
47. Mow high with sharp blades.
48. Leave grass clippings on the lawn.
49. Unplug ghost appliances like cell phone chargers.
50. Use the microwave instead of the oven.
51. Switch to CFL light bulbs.
52. Wash clothes in cold water.
53. Get a low flow showerhead.
54. Clean the air conditioner and replace filters.
55. Lower shades in the daytime.
56. Clean refrigerator coils.
57. Install a ceiling fan.
58. Use aerators on faucets.
59. Install a programmable thermostat.
60. Insulate your water heater and hot water pipes.
61. Driving at 55 mph instead of 70 mph can save you 23% in fuel efficiency.
62. Keep your tires inflated.
63. Take your next vacation on the train.
64. Buy items in bulk and portion them into reusable containers.
65. Buy detergent in concentrated form to cut down on packaging and increase product.
66. Check packaging codes before you buy to make sure they are recyclable.
67. Switch to e-billing and go paperless.
68. Get a radon and carbon monoxide detector.
69. Reduce your exposure to phthalates which are in #3 plastics, PVC plastics, and beauty products.
70. Avoid commercial air fresheners entirely.
71. Don’t let your car idle.
72. Invest in a good reusable water bottle.
73. Pick up trash at the beach.
74. Look for fishing weights made from bismuth, steel, ceramic and tungsten and avoid lead weights which can harm wildlife.
75. Choose hair stylists who use products that are free of known hazardous chemicals, particularly phthalates, parabens, coal tar and sodium lauryl sulfates.
76. Pick a day to leave the car at home all day.
77. Coordinate errands into combined trips.
78. Stay at green hotels using www.greenhotels.com
79. Remember to bring your own reusable grocery bags to the store.
80. Use your local library.
81. Get off junk mailing lists.
82. Switch to fair trade coffee.
83. Look for “green” nail polish.
84. Get a home energy audit.
85. Invest in a new LCD monitor for your computer.
86. Check out freecycling at www.freecycling.com
87. Use low VOC paint.
88. Make a root cellar.
89. Make a sewing kit for your purse from an empty prescription bottle.
90. Go in and skip the drive-thru.
91. Buy green school supplies.
92. Fix leaky faucets.
93. Use a slow cooker.
94. If you take out, don’t get more condiment packages than you plan to use.
95. Buy potted plants instead of cut flowers.
96. Use less shampoo.
97. Bring a refillable cup for your morning coffee.
98. Pass along items you no longer need.
99. Shade your AC unit by planting a tree or installing an awning over the window.
100. Teach children to be green by your example.
Preprinted with permission from Curriculum of Hope for a Peaceful World, Summer 2009. Available for $5/yr (3 issues). Contact founder Jeanne Morascini at jemora@aol.com to subscribe.
