Grober Green

Archive for the ‘todays tip’ Category

What?
Reduce waste – and save natural resources – by recycling paper products.

How?
Make sure printer paper, newspapers, brown paper bags, cardboard and other recyclable paper items stay out of the trash.

Why?
Recycling rates for paper are on the rise, but paper waste still accounted for 34% of total municipal solid waste in 2006.
Did You Know?
Every ton of mixed paper that is recycled can save the energy equivalent of 185 gallons of gas.

Okay, But How Hard Is It?
As easy as shooting a jump shot of crumpled paper into the recycling bin.

What?
Create less waste by thinking twice before you buy.

How?
Ask yourself: Do I really need this? If the answer is yes, follow these simple rules: 1) Buy the one with the least packaging. 2) Buy reusable, not disposable. 3) Buy in bulk.

Why?
The average American generates about 4.6 pounds of garbage per day.

Did You Know?
In addition to reducing waste, buying in bulk can produce savings of over 30%.

Okay, But How Hard Is It?
As easy as reining in your itch to buy.

What?
Save energy – and reduce global warming – with your computer’s sleep mode.

How?
Be a responsible technophile. Use sleep mode, and not screensavers, whenever you’re away. The forgetful type? Adjust your power settings to have hibernation kick in sooner.

Why?
Computers are energy hogs, and screensavers are worse. In fact, screensavers use a lot more energy than your computer normally does – two times as much if they are graphically complex.

Did You Know?
A desktop computer left on for a full year would release 1,500 pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Okay, But How Hard Is It?
As easy as letting your computer nap during lunch.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Green Computing is More Than Sleep Mode (slumpedoverkeyboarddead.com)
• Luis Luna’s green computing (core77.com)
• Bull partners to reduce computing energy use by 50% at University Joseph Fourier (insidehpc.com)
• EPEAT Goes International With Green Computer Rankings (treehugger.com)

What?
Save money and reduce waste by using leaves as a natural mulch or fertilizer.

How?
Stop bagging leaves for the trash man. Instead, after you rake the lawn, shred leaves with a shredder or lawn mower and use them as enriching, weed-thwarting mulch. Or let them compost.

Why?
Free mulch. Free fertilizer. Why pay to haul in mulch or buy organic fertilizer when you already have all the natural materials you need to make both?

Did You Know?
According to the EPA, 18% of all municipal solid waste is lawn waste.

Okay, But How Hard Is It?
As easy as looking at piles of leaves as a gift – not a curse.

What?
Save money – and reduce toxic waste – buy buying rechargeable batteries instead of disposable alkaline batteries.

How?
Get nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) or other rechargeable batteries, along with a charger, the next time you buy batteries.

Why?
One rechargeable battery can save up to 300 single-use batteries from ending up in the trash.

Did You Know?
If you typically buy a $5 pack of eight single-use batteries every month, buying 12 rechargeable batteries and a charger will save your $600 over ten years.

Okay, But How Hard Is It?
As easy as making a simple purchasing switch.

What?
Save money – and reduce your carbon footprint – by switching to solar water heating.

How?
Install solar panels on a south-facing roof or open area and heat your water with the power of the sun.

Why?
Unlike fossil fuels such as natural gas, solar power is an renewable, emission-free energy source with zero transportation involved. Plus, it’s cheaper over the long run.

Did You Know?
Solar water heaters pay for themselves in four to eight years through savings in your electric and gas bills. Plus, the US offers tax incentives covering up to 30% of installation costs.

Okay, But How Hard Is It?
As easy as letting the sun shine in – to your bathroom.

What?
Save money – and cut down on packaging waste – by buying in concentrate.

How?
Look for soaps, detergents, juices and other common items in concentrated form. Buy them over the “watered-down” versions whenever possible.

Why?
Concentrated items cost less and are produced using less water and packaging. Plus, the smaller, lighter size means using less gas and fewer trucks for transportation. What’s not to like?

Did You Know?
A standard container of not-from-concentrate juice can be up to 50% more expensive than the same juice from concentrate.

Okay, But How Hard Is It?
As easy as taking less than minute to rehydrate your concentrated apple juice.

What?
Save money on gas – and reduce emissions – with a hybrid vehicle.

How?
Make your next car a hybrid. Unlike conventional cars, which run on gas alone, hybrids switch between internal combustion and electric power to produce higher mileage and lower emissions.

Why?
The average driver could save over 10 barrels of oil a year with a hybrid.

Did You Know?
Hybrids compensate for their higher sticker price – an average of $4,000 higher – with an approximate savings of $5,000 over five years of ownership.

Okay, But How Hard Is It?
As easy as narrowing your car search to hybrids.

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• More Photos, Details On Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Concept (blogs.thecarconnection.com)
• Wheels: E.P.A. Says M.P.G. for Electric Cars and Plug-in Hybrids Is a Work in Progress (wheels.blogs.nytimes.com)
• Technologies for Improving Passenger Vehicle Fuel Economy (jcwinnie.biz)

What?
Keep toxic metals out of the soil and water by recycling compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs).

How?
Check earth911.org for CFL recycling sites in your area, including Home Depot stores in the US and Canada.

Why?
CFLs contain between 1.4 and 4 mg of mercury, a harmful metal that can cause brain damage and even death in large quantities.

Did You Know?
It only takes a gram of mercury leaching into the water every year to contaminate a 20-acre lake over time.

Okay, But How Hard Is It?
As easy as holding onto your old CFLs until you can recycle them.

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• Home Depot Launches ‘Eco Options’ Label (VIDEO) (huffingtonpost.com)
• LED lightbulb puts out equivalent of 60 watt bulb, uses only 6 watts (crunchgear.com)
• Recycle Your Small Universal Waste Items By Mail (treehugger.com)

What?
Save money – and reduce your footprint – with a car sharing service.

How?
If you live in an urban area, having a car can be a headache thanks to the dings, dents and endless parking searches. Instead, use a car sharing service such as Zipcar when you need wheels.

Why?
No maintenance. No insurance. Compared to owning a car, people who use a service such as Zipcar save between $400-500 a month.

Did You Know?
Each Zipcar on the road replaces over 20 personally owned vehicles . That means fewer emissions and less congestion.

Okay, But How Hard Is It?
As easy as joining a car sharing service in your city.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Sponsored Post: Join Zipcar and Get $50 in Free Driving (bostonist.com)
• The Day After ZipCar Makes a Profit – Part I (treehugger.com)
• Zipcar Launches iPhone App With Magical Car Unlocking Powers [Zipcar] (consumerist.com)
• Portland Mayor Joins Commuters’ Low-Car Diet (treehugger.com)
• Photos: Zipcar App Now Available on the App Store (newswire.ca)