Going green is something everyone can do but not everyone knows exactly how they can contribute. There are countless ways you can reduce your carbon footprint on a daily basis just by doing little things differently. Here are a few tips I utilize to help you live a greener, healthier and more ethical life.
Ditch the bottle! Many bottled water companies are simple scams that claim their water tastes better. Treehugger.com reports that taste tests have shown that in many municipalities, tap water actually tastes better. Bottled water is not as well regulated and studies have shown that it is not even particularly pure.
A four-year study of bottled water in the U.S. conducted by the National Resources Defense Council found that one-fifth of the 103 water products tested contained synthetic organic chemicals. Companies like Coca-Cola just add salt to make it taste better. Instead of buying a case of bottled water, I use a Brita and fill a reusable bottle when I’m on the go.
Unplug those appliances! When not in use, DVD players, TV’s, stereos and other appliances continue using a small amount of power. So when you leave the room, instead of putting an away message up, unplug your laptop. Despite popular belief, turning a computer on and off won’t harm the equipment as long as it’s off for 15 minutes. The less energy we use, the lower our tuition bill might be. It’s tough to remember, but I hang a sign that I know I’ll see on the way out to remind me.
Go organic! Organic products cost less to produce because they are natural. Organic food is produced without antibiotics, genetic engineering, or synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. It’s better for your body and the environment. Organic clothing is also an option. Treehugger.com says though cotton is marketed as clean, fresh, and natural, conventional varieties are anything but. It takes a third of a pound of chemical fertilizers and pesticides to produce the cotton for one t-shirt. Popular companies like American Apparel and Jon
