Using a Long Tail Personal Action Plan to Reduce Your
Environmental Impacts
By Bruce England
Last modified 20October2019
Key Takeaways
á
Many things can
be used at least twice. Shoot for three or more reuses.
á
In all that you
do, think if you can prevent all single-use actions. For example, bring
reusable bags and containers with you when you're out a about.
Like many of you, I am glad see that our state and
many of our county and city governments, along with many businesses and
industries, have acknowledged the need to meaningfully address climate change
specifically and environmental sustainability in general. But the wheels of
government, business, and industry move slowly; such is the nature of their
processes. This can be frustrating for those who are eager for progress, as we
are informed that global warming must be dealt with immediately, and, yet,
we're left to play a waiting game. However, in the meantime, we can
individually and collectively change our personal behaviors with little or no
delay and significantly contribute toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions
locally and beyond. And, as luck would have it, it is these behaviors that
represent the lion's share of the factors affecting climate change.
Unfortunately, many personal behavior modifications that we read and hear about
require significant cash investment (for example, buying a hybrid vehicle,
installing solar panels, and so on), convenience sacrifices (for example, walking,
biking, or using mass transit to many or all of our destinations), or both.
Regardless, even without exercising some or all of these large-impact options,
small-impact options, when exercised together, can lead to similar or even
better results. In marketing parlance, this is known as "long tail"
strategizing. For example, Amazon might profitably sell "Bobby Vinton
Greatest Polka Hits of All Time" by making it available across the broad
international customer base. What I provide in this article is a list of
"long tail" personal behavior suggestions, some perhaps obvious and
others not so much, that you might consider putting to work in your own efforts
to reduce wear and tear on the environmental infrastructure.
á
Assuming that
youÕre not ready to buy a Tesla, Leaf, or Volt EV, consider a less expensive
Òshort hopÓ electric car (such as the Zap Xebra, which is now available at
dealers in San Carlos and Alameda, and soon in Los Gatos and Menlo Park, for a
bit over $12K) or a neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV). Note that a number of
these vehicles now qualify for some significant rebates through the California
Air Resources Board! Note that NEVs, as they are lighter than standard
vehicles, impose less wear and tear on roads, striping, bumpers, etc., so reduced
road maintenance results for yet an additional plus for sustainability!
á
Start using a
compost or worm bin (even if you donÕt have a garden, somebody is certain to
want what you generate for theirs).
á
Use 4w
chandelier compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) when low light levels will suffice.
á
Bring your own
containers and utensils for take out food (and accept no single-use utensils or
paper napkins).
á
To snag that
last remaining salad dressing, sauces, condiments, and so on from near empty jars
and leftovers containers,
á
Add thinner
ingredients to help pour off what's left more easily (for example, oil or
vinegar to salad dressing). You can do this several times if needed as long as
what's in the container still works for your purposes.
á
Use a broccoli
crown to lap it up and put it in with the next mealÕs contents. Works great for
keeping jar rims clean!
á
Save lightly
used tissues and paper towels you use to open rest room doors, and so on in an
empty tissue box and use them for toilet or litter box cleaning.
á
When you feel
that you must use plastic bags, use biodegradable (a good local source for
these is WorldCentric in Palo Alto; see www.worldcentric.com). But try to
reduce the number of bags you use, for example, when you buy produce items that
donÕt really require them, such as avocados and oranges. The clerks can manage
multiple items, within reason, on the scales.
á
For bread, buy
from a bakery if you can so you can bring your own bag. Ask that they not tie
off the bag; you can twist the open end and place it under the loaf when you
get it home instead. You can use the bag many times, and, when it's far enough
gone, you can use it for garbage or pet waste.
á
Besides using
cloth shopping bags, you can also use cloth produce bags.
Good sources for these are:
á ReuseIt.com (http://www.reuseit.com)
á Chico Bags (http://www.chicobag.com)
á Eco-Bags (http://www.ecobags.com)
á
One good economical
large-size canvas shopping bag is the EcoSac GlobalGrocer canvas bag
(http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000E8X3J8/ref=wms_ohs_product). , The Canvas
Eco Sac is made by a somewhat local California company called SteppingStones
based in Cambria. (http://www.greenpeople.org/listing/SteppingStones-35711.cfm
and http://www.bags4you.com/wholesale/wholesale.html). Another alternative bag
is made by Envirosax (http://www.envirosax.com/greengrocer-series.html and
http://www.envirosax.com/faq/#a_stats). The canvas bags are heavier and bulkier
(but fold flat pretty well and stand up a bit for packing -- not as good as
many but better than Envirosax). The Envirosax bag is lighter and folds into a
more compact package but still strong.
á
Leave produce
tops with farmers market vendors if you donÕt compost. This helps to get this
material back into the cycle with little delay or effort.
á
Leave rubber bands
and twist ties with farmers market vendors for reuse (to delay their entry into
the waste stream).
á
Use pencils
instead of pens, and soft-lead types if possible (you can get Derwent soft-lead
pencils (for example, the Graphic 7B, 8B, and 9B, or the Start Sketching 7B,
8B, or 9B, which are not painted) from art supply stores such as University Art
in Palo Alto). Soft pencil marks are easier to deal with in the paper recycling
process and wood/graphite pencils are more environmentally friendly than pens with
all of the plastics Involved (both in the product and in the packaging). For
Derwent Sketch Start Sketching pencil information, see
www.pencils.co.uk/products/start.aspx?sid=1. Alternatively, rescue discarded pencils you come
across. Clean them up with rubbing alcohol and start writing!
á
Turn near-empty
antiperspirant bottles upside down to use any remaining contents.
á
As much as
possible, donÕt wait for water to warm up.
á
Obtain a
Ònewspaper canÓ for newspaper delivery and tell the paper not to deliver in a
plastic bag.
á
Buy older
bananas and other soft fruits for smoothies (they blend better anyway) to
reduce the number of them going into landfill.
á
Rather than
purchase cat grass in plastic containers, grow your own from seed (you can buy
RosieÕs cat grass seed at Pet Club at 1010 N Rengstorff Avenue in
Mountain View).
á
Use unneeded
billing envelopes for personal mailing rather than new envelopes (be sure to
cover any address bar codes printed on them to ensure that they get to the
right place).
á
Use backs of envelopes
for scratch paper.
á
Delay your oil
changes to 5000 miles (as recommended by the California Integrated Waste
Management Board; see www.3000milemyth.org).
á
To get the best
vehicle mileage (advice from ConsumersReport.org):
á Drive at a moderate speed
This is the biggest factor. You may have to be a little patient, but driving at
55 mph instead of 65 or 75 will save you money. When we increased the Camry's
highway cruising speed from 55 mph to 65, the car's fuel economy dropped from
40 mpg to 35. Speeding up to 75 mph cost the car another 5 mpg. One reason is
that aerodynamic drag increases exponentially the faster you drive; it simply
takes more fuel to power the car through the air.
á Drive smoothly
Avoid hard acceleration and braking whenever possible. In our tests, frequent
bursts of acceleration and braking reduced the Camry's mileage by 2 to 3 mpg.
Once up to speed on the highway, maintain a steady pace in top gear. Smooth
acceleration, cornering, and braking also extend the life of the engine, transmission,
brakes, and tires.
á Reduce unnecessary drag
At highway speeds, more than 50 percent of engine power goes to overcoming
aerodynamic drag. So don't carry things on top of your vehicle when you don't
have to. Installing a large Thule Cascade 1700 car-top carrier on our Camry
dropped its gas mileage from 35 mpg to 29 at 65 mph. Even driving with empty
racks on the car reduces its fuel economy.
á Don't use premium fuel if you don't have to
If your car specifies regular fuel, don't buy premium under the mistaken belief
that your engine will run better. The only difference you'll see is about 20
cents more per gallon. Most cars are designed to run just fine on regular
gasoline. Even many cars for which premium is recommended will run well on
regular. We have found that the differences are imperceptible during normal
driving. Check your owner's manual to find out if your engine really requires
premium or if you can run on other grades.
á Minimize driving with a cold engine
Engines run most efficiently when they're warm. In our city-driving tests,
making multiple short trips and starting the engine from cold each time reduced
fuel economy by almost 4 mpg. Engines also produce more pollution and wear
faster when they're cold. When possible, combine several short trips into one
so that the engine stays warm.
á Keep tires properly inflated
The Camry experienced a 1.3 mpg loss in highway fuel economy when the tires
were underinflated by 10 psi. More important, underinflated tires compromise
handling and braking, and wear faster. And they run much hotter, which can lead
to tire failure. Check the pressure of your vehicle's tires at least once a
month with a tire gauge. The owner's manual explains how to do it.
á Buy tires with lower rolling resistance
A tire's rolling resistance can add or detract another 1 or 2 mpg. In our tire
ratings, look for high-rated tires with low rolling resistance. They generally
won't cost more, and replacing a worn tire could save you more than $100 a year
in fuel.
á Avoid idling for long periods
Think of it this way: When you're idling, your car is getting zero miles per
gallon. When we let a Buick Lucerne, with a V8, idle for 10 minutes while
warming up, it burned about an eighth of a gallon of gas. A smaller engine
would probably burn less, but idling still adds up over time. As a rule, turn
off your engine if you expect to sit for more than about 30 seconds. An engine
warms up faster as it's driven anyway.
Also:
á Buy a manual transmission vehicle instead of an
automatic (better if you shift properly, and there are fewer parts to
manufacture, maintain, and disassemble at the vehicle's end-of-life)
á For manual transmission cars, shift up between 2,000
and 2,500 RPM (as advised by EcoDrive.org; see www.ecodrive.org).
á Don't tailgate (this practice burns both fuel and
brakes)
á With manual transmission cars, disengage the clutch
and coast to stops or as you decelerate
á
Encourage
businesses you patronize to become green certified.
á
Add water to
liquid soap bottles repeatedly until no useful soap remains before recycling.
á
Use liquid soap
instead of bar soap (these products are much easier to clean up and process
through the waste stream).
á
Transfer last
portions of lotions to new bottles. An easy way to do this is to cut the old
bottle in half and then use a butter knife to transfer contents to the new
bottle.
á
When soap builds
up on the outside or your dispenser bottles or around the nozzle openings,
donÕt just rinse it off. Instead, use the bottle like you would a bar of soap
for hands washing until the residue is gone.
á
Reduce your
number of car washes, and use commercial car wash services, as they reuse water
and capture the sludge that comes off the cars for proper waste disposal.
á
Repair items as
much as possible to extend their useful lives (you'll also learn how to repair
even more things as a result!). For example, electronics controls that don't
respond properly can often be brought back to life using contact cleaners and
restorers such as those sold by CAIG Laboratories (http://caig.com/). For items you don't think you can repair or you
aren't sure how to, consider a local repair cafe if one is available to you (https://repaircafe.org/en/).
á
Bring farmers
market containers, orange bags, rubber bands, etc. back to vendors.
á
Buy and sell
used books, CDs, DVDs, etc.
á
Cut backs of
greeting cards off and reuse the front parts.
á
Use glue instead
of packing tape for packages.
á
Return same-day
newspapers to news racks.
á
Repair damaged news
racks to prevent their being replaced altogether.
á
Use rechargeable
batteries.
á
Use small solar
panels for dedicated use if roof panels are not feasible or affordable.
á
Buy a front
loading clothes washer. These use far less water than do top loaders and,
without an agitator, impose far less wear and tear on your washable items.
á
Where you
continue to use incandescent light bulbs, control them with dimmer switches;
dimmers not only can keep lights illumination low, but they can also extend
bulb life by ÒsofteningÓ on/off switching, which is when most bulbs fail.
á
Avoid letting
solid materials, grease, or oil go down drains even if you have garbage
disposals; instead, scoop solids into the trash before you rinse or wash
foodware and containers, use strainers in your kitchen sink drains, and wipe
grease and oil out of pans with newspaper or paper towels. Water transport of
solids is very inefficient, and solids need to eventually be removed with
significantly energy-intensive water treatment processing. Oil and grease can
also lead to clogging in waste lines downstream.
á
Put dishes in
the sink to soak, with water needed only to submerge items (for example, with
bowls nested, and silverware in the top bowl), and then rinse or wash them all
at the same time to reduce multiple water warm-up cycles. Start with a small
amount of water with the dish soap, and rinse the first items over the
containers with the dish soap (why add water to the dish soap and rinse as two
actions with twice the amount of water used?). Also, put dish soap / water in
the largest container and pour into smaller and smaller containers as you wash
each one to reduce both water and soap quantities.
á
Turn the tap to
full hot when filling saucepans, etc. to reduce gas or electricity usage needed
to heat water on the stove top.
á
Use your
microwave instead of your oven or stove top as much as possible.
á
Use mechanical
timers on ventilation fans to prevent their needlessly remaining on.
á
Install and use
ceilings fans to prevent using air conditioners as much as possible or at all.[1]
á
Use a hassock
fan (which sits on or close to the floor and draws air upward). If you use this
with a ceiling fan, you will maximize cold-air draw within the room.
Tip: You can use a fan open in the
front and pack as a hassock fan if it is mounted to a pivot stand by putting
the fan on the floor and pivoting it facing downward.
á
Urge your
company and organizations you're associated with to provide and encourage
teleconferencing or videoconferencing options for remote events.
á
Cut up old
washcloths and towels for general cleaning use.
á
Reuse large
envelopes and cardboard boxes from vendors.
á
Resell and buy
college textbooks through campus and local bookstores as much as possible to
avoid needless shipping.
á
If you have a
slanted driveway, push your car out with your foot (a la Fred Flintstone) and
only then start your engine.
á
To make baking
pan cleanup less water intensive, fill the pan with a half inch of water and a
bit of powdered dishwasher soap, and heat on the stovetop for about five minutes
to loosen hard baked on food. If you need to clean multiple pans, reuse the
same solution for each one.
á
To reduce use of
dish soap, put dishsoap and water in the largest container to clean and work
down to the smallest items, leaving the solution in each container to soak as
needed before moving to the next.
á
For earthquake
preparation, store potable water in glass bottles (rather than buying water in
plastic bottles), which you can purchase from most water supply stores, and
refresh once or twice a year.
á
For razor
shaving, use a small bowl for water rather than running the faucet.
á
Buy bulk and
environmentally friendly soaps and cleaners. For example,
á You can purchase bath soap, shampoo, conditioner, and
other such products. online from Dr. Bronner (www.drbronner.com) and Nature's
Gate (www.naturesgate.com). Smaller (though still on the large side) containers
of these are available also at Whole Foods Markets.
á You can purchase shampoo and deodorant bars online
from Chagrin Valley online (http://www.chagrinvalleysoapandsalve.com) or Lush
Cosmetics in San Jose and San Francisco and other locations
(http://www.lushusa.com).
á You can make Òno pooÓ shampoo yourself.
For example:
Scrub to wash your scalp with a mix of one tablespoon of baking soda and one
cup of water, rinse, then rinse with a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water
(and, optionally, a few drops of rosemary essential oil to cut any vinegar
smell, although the smell will dissipate very fast, so no worries on that
front).[2]
For other information and resources, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_poo.
á
Buy food from
the bins section (and using your own reusable bags). These purchases eliminate
packaging, and, because packaging, processing, and marketing are reduced or
eliminated, youÕll save money over packaged purchases.
á For items you order for shipping to you, request no or minimal packing material in the shipping containers.
á
Establish an
appliance maintenance list and add a note for the next-up to-do item to your
calendar each time a task is completed (this will help to prevent maintenance
lapses). Properly maintaining appliances can significantly extend their useful
lives.
á
Reuse food
preparation items as much as possible especially during each meal preparation
cycle. You can, for example, keep cutting knives and skillets in the
refrigerator after the first use and reuse them during food prep cycles.
á
When using a
skillet, turn off the heat some minutes before you are done cooking. The
residual heat will finish the job nicely.
á
Put food scraps
in your freezer until trash pickup day to reduce the number of trash bags you
dispose of. You can also put used cooking oil in a half orange peal in the
freezer. The oil will harden and you can dispose of it without mess as long as
you put the peals out just prior to garbage pickup.
á
Prevent food
waste:
á Consider buying "ugly" fresh produce. A lot of this is discarded as most people choose more attractive produce. But both kinds are equally palatable.
á Be sure to use food "scraps" in your cooking. For example, empty produce pieces from grocery bags and capture from the food preparation area and put into a bowl for later use, or in a skillet or pot if you're cooking.
á By storing appropriately to ensure items last longer. For example, keep tomatoes upside down (so natural gases donÕt escape quickly) on top of an open, empty egg carton.
á
By chopping
harder raw foods, such as broccoli, cauliflower, and kale stalks, and cooking
longer than softer foods. This also help to "meat up" vegetarian
dishes, which can seem soft and mushy otherwise.
Tip: Adding nuts to vegetarian dishes can also help with this last point.
á
When cooking
multiple dishes, try to use the same pot or pan and not clean in between. An
additional plus: Flavors from the first dishes can carry forward to the next,
which can work nicely if you plan accordingly.
á
Put trash in
empty containers you are disposing of anyway to reduce the number of trash bags
you dispose of.
á
Use containers
that have to go in the trash (for example, milk cartons) to put disposables in
to reduce the number of trash bags you need to use.
á
If a market you
go to does not have an adequate quantity or selection of organic or fair trade
products available, ask them to made adjustments; point out that both organic
and fair-trade policies tend to support sustainable growing practices.
á
Turn your water
heater down as low as possible to meet your comfort zone and sanitation needs.
You might turn it up selectively when you use the dishwasher, which typically
requires a water temperature of 120¡ F or higher.
á
To ensure that
your water heater is adequately insulated, feel the outside surface. It should
be cool to the touch.
á
Instead of using
a rechargeable electric toothbrush, as you typically cannot replace the
battery, purchase an electric toothbrush that uses replaceable rechargeable
batteries, such as some models Braun manufactures.
á
Use
environmentally friendly toothcare products such as Tom's of Maine floss and
toothpaste (for this brand, the floss comes in small recyclable plastic
containers with a cutter that can be separated, and the aluminum toothpaste
tubes can be recycled after you remove and toss the threaded end).
á
Buy a reusable
dental floss dispenser (or reuse one that came with floss) and buy floss-only
products without the dispenser (if you can find it). To keep plastic out of
your floss purchases, consider Ecodent GentleFloss, which is packaged without
the plastic dispenser. One place you can buy this is Whole Foods. Or you can
possible obtain floss in bulk through your family dentist, which reduces the
amount of packaging material per length of floss.
á
If you can buy
floss without a throw-away holder, you can easily make your own with simple
wood parts and a cutter made from a hobby knife blade:
á
Use head
replaceable toothbrushes (such as those made by Terradent). You can purchase
these at Whole Foods Markets.
á
Gimme5
(http://www.preserveproducts.com/recycling/gimme5.html) takes back #5 plastics,
Preserve toothbrushes, Stonyfield yogurt containers, TomÕs of Maine toothpaste
tubes, and Brita water filers and processes the plastic to make other plastic
products, which helps to keep plastics out of landfill that much longer. The
toothbrushes also are made of recycled yogurt containers. Some Whole Foods
locations have Gimme5 drop-off bins, and you can mail materials to Gimme5
directly.
á
As you pass
someone shopping or checking out with single-use paper or plastic bags say
something like Ò...my cloth bags...all the time...Ó. They might consciously or
unconsciously think that they're overhearing something they ought to act on!
á
Before you pass
bicyclists riding to your immediate right, move as far over to the left as you
can, preferably into another lane. This will help to make the cyclists be
safer, feel safer, and to make their riding experience that much more pleasant.
The more drivers who do this, the more cyclists will feel motivated to ride
again another day, and that will mean one less car on the road.
á
When you replace
printer cartridges, consider buying from a provider that refurbishes used
cartridges, such as Caboodle (www.caboodle.com).
á
When you are
ironing clothes, turn off the iron several minutes before you are done, as the
iron will still be plenty hot enough to use effectively in the meantime.
á
Park your car in
the shade to prevent gas tank evaporation.
á
Shift to an
earlier schedule to take advantage of morning light and to reduce energy needed
for after-dark lighting.
á
Select No for
ATM and printed gas pump receipts, and instead note transactions on scratch
paper, with your cell phone, or on a digital audio recorder.
á
Buy milk, cream,
and other such dairy products in returnable glass bottles. These aren't so easy
to find as they used to be, but you can buy Strauss products delivered this way
at Whole Foods Markets (www.strausfamilycreamery.com).
á
Save the pet
poop bag cores to extend short pencils (you might have to put tape around the
pencil end to make a tight fit).
á
Salvage paper
items from take out and fast-food meals, such as the paper sheet in the meal
trays, for recycling back home.
á
DonÕt assume
that dead light bulbs are actually burned out. Check suspect bulbs in a second
socket and consider that socket corrosion, a bent socket base contact (the flat
copper contact in the center of the base), or a break in the circuit might
actually be the cause.
á
Save one-side
printed paper for scratch paper or for printing on the back sides. Note that
you can make your own notepads with full-sized sheets cut into halves or
quarters and glues on one edge with padding compound (one source for padding
compound is Hurst Chemical, www.hurstchemical.com).
á
To reduce the
quantities of extraneous chemicals and substances going into the waste water
stream, use few or no additives in your laundry and dish washing. For example,
you can use liquid laundry soap to presoak stains on clothes prior to their
being washed. And water spots on items from the dishwasher will do you no harm.
á
Play DVDs, when
possible, on a laptop or portable DVD player to conserve energy.
á
Replace furnace
filters only when necessary, and with high efficiency filters that donÕt need
to be replaced as often.
á
Reuse plastic
zip-type wire ties either by buying only the reusable type or by cutting a used
tie close to the eye and pushing the piece in the eye through and out.
á
For light
fixtures that use multiple bulbs, remove one or more if possible.
á
To reduce toxics
in waste water, use less soap (a little goes a long way) and fewer
over-the-counter medicinals.
á
DonÕt buy new
watering cans; instead repurpose a water bottle (get one from somewhere else
since youÕve stopped using them!)
á
Capture shower
water for reuse in toilet tanks, flower beds, and gardens. Following is an
example set up:
In this
arrangement, a diverter valve (1) is used to route water through the white hose
(3) for running to a bucket during water warm up and to switch to the shower
head once the water is warm. A shut-off valve (2) is used to shut the water off
when you donÕt need it during the shower (this is more convenient than using
typical shower fixtures, which generally combine water temperature adjustment
with on/off operation). The detail shows how you need to add a wider piece of
tubing around the narrower white hose with an o-ring at the top to create a
tight seal within the diverter valve.
Below the
showerhead, a plywood plank rests on the sides of the tub, and supports the
water warm-up bucket and a bin with a pail inside. The reason for two separate
pails is that you can (optionally) use one for soapy water (best for use in
your toilet tank) and the other for fairly clean water (for your flower beds or
garden). The bin lid is at the side to cover the bin during shampoo rinses to
avoid getting too much soap in the collected water.
(Note that you
can use the white hose for hands washing as well to collect even more water!).
With the toilet
tank removed, and a fine-mesh fish tank net fitted in place, itÕs fairly easy
to use your pail water for toilet flushes. You can easily bend the net handle
so that the net can be hooked over the back of the tank, and you can remove the
net to rinse it out occasionally. (Note that some tank fixtures allow you to
lift up on the handle at mid-flush to reduce water usage when it's reasonable
to do so; and some newer models even have two flush levers to accomplish the
same thing)
á
Monitor your
water meter to check finer increments of usage than are available on your bill
(which, almost always, bill by units, where one unit equals 748 gallons). In
the following image, the right dial (which here reads Ò2Ó) advances for every
7.48 gallons of water used. You can also monitor your meter for water leakage;
that is, if all water service in your house is shut off (donÕt forget to
temporarily close the water heater intake when you do this), the meter
"triangle" should register no water consumption.
á
Use newspapers
and water for window cleaning.
á
Keep frozen
water bottles in freezer to fill unused spaces.
á
Switch to a
bladder-type fountain pen, so you donÕt have to throw away pen inserts.
á
Keep clothing
items longer by beefing them up with iron-on patches
á
Bring your own
cup, and donÕt use throwaway stirring sticks (the milk and sugar will mix in
fine by the time you make it to the door).
á
Leave
refrigerated food out for a half hour before cooking or reheating, so less work
is needed from your oven, stove, or microwave.
á
At each change
of seasons you can close all downstairs vent registers and open the upstairs
vents when the AC is on and the opposite when the heat is on. It can make a
huge difference in the balancing of the heat differential between floors if your
home is relatively open.
á
Consider
purchasing blinds designed for optimum energy efficiency. For example,
Hunter-Douglas ÒhoneycombÓ blinds.
á
Save yourself a
trip to the gym! Use a push mower instead of a power mower, and use
hand-powered hedge trimmers instead of an electric type.
á
If you live in a
condo or apartment and have no yard trimmings pickup, find a family member or
friend who does, and ask if you can put your trimmings (including appropriate
food scraps) in their collection bin.
á
Unused blank
edges on sticker sheets (such as those dispensed by postage machines at post
offices) are great for replacing labels, such as on manila folder tabs, CD and
DVD cases, and so on. They can last longer and be much better quality than
labels you buy, and theyÕre free.
á
When you get
ready to repaint or restain, or if you are hiring contractors to do the work,
be sure to check for paint and stain supplies you already have on hand to see
if they can be used. Even if you want to choose new colors, you might still be
able to use your current supplies for trim or non-critical areas.
á
When you add or
upgrade your insulation, to manage costs and gain the best energy efficiency
benefit, and if you canÕt do the work all at once, start with the attic, then
the walls, and finally the flooring.
á
You can extend
use of worn socks by cutting off the tops and using them as pot holders,
clean-up cloths, or coasters.
á
You can
eliminate or reduce use of plastic yogurt containers by making your own yogurt,
and eliminate completely if you buy your starter yogurt from a store that makes
their own (such as Fraiche Yogurt) and that allows you to use your own
container, and if you buy your milk in reusable glass bottles (such as those
from Straus Family Creamery).
Tip: You can also use the yogurt maker
low-heat hot plate (if it comes with one) for glass oil bottle cleaning (if you
buy your oil in reusable containers). To do this, fill an empty oil bottle to
the top with water and leave on heat for several hours (during which residual
oil will rise to the top. Empty and repeat. To help eliminate moisture from the
bottle after this process, fill part way with water and a small amount of
isopropyl alcohol, shake, and empty. Until you can refill the bottle, leave
open and on its side.
á
Consider using
portable heaters or air conditioners if you are using just one part of your
home at the moment. But keep in mind that, if you have multiple units running
(for example, three or more heaters), it could be more energy efficient to use
your central system instead.
á
According to the
California Energy Commission, ÒLighting represents as much as 25 percent of
your home's electrical use, so it is a significant part of your monthly utility
bill.Ò
á
For more tips,
see the US EPA, Green Living Handbook.
Think like your
ancestors! They had to make due much more than we are able to!
As you do some
or all of the above, do enjoy the process in order to stay motivated!
If you feel
inspired to add some your own suggestions to this list, please forward them to the author.
î
Bruce England, 2018