Commit to making a few small changes between now and next Earth Day. It may seem incredibly overwhelming, but every baby step counts. If you adopt one change between now and next year, that would make me incredibly happy. Here are some suggestions.
Stop consuming bottled water. - Tap water generally tastes just as good if not better than bottled water, and it is often safer because cities must meet specific standards for your tap water. Use a bottle you already own or get a Klean Kanteen or SIGG bottle and drink tap water; if you have concerns about the way your water is treated, invest in a filtration system.
Utilize alternatives to plastic bags. - Stop accepting single-use plastic bags. Each bag will take hundreds of years to break down into smaller and smaller bits of toxic waste that pollute our soil and waterways and harming animals who ingest the particles. Paper is not a good option, either. Instead, utilize bags you have around the house or buy reusable bags. Two good online sites to shop for bags are reusablebags.com and ecobags.com.
Shop used first. - Before you go out and buy something new, check Freecycle, Craigslist, the classifieds, eBay and estate and yard sales. You’ll save money and help keep the reduce, reuse, recycle chain going by putting to use an item the former owner no longer needs.
Recycle broken electronics, batteries and household repair items. - Take your recycling one step further and seek out ways to safely recycle these household items. To find out where to take them in your area, visit earth911.org or check with your city.
Go veggie for one meal a week. - I’m not about to ask you to give up meat entirely. I love eating meat, especially beef and pork. But consider the resources, especially fossil fuels and water, required to produce your cheeseburger or pork chop.
According to the U.S. Geological survey, it takes 2,607 gallons of water to produce a single serving of steak and 408 gallons for a serving of chicken. A handful of almonds requires only 12 gallons to grow, rice needs 36 gallons and lettuce and potatoes need only 6 gallons each.
Livestock production is responsible for 18% of greenhouse gas emissions. A 2002 study from the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health estimated that, using our current system, three calories of energy were needed to create one calorie of edible food. This keeps us locked in a dependent relationship with foreign oil producers, which has a dramatic influence on U.S. foreign policy.
Cut down on junk mail. - No one likes dealing with junk mail, but it is also a horrible waste of resources. You can cut it back significantly by taking a few simple steps.
(1) Call 1-888-567-8688 to have your name removed from credit bureau marketing lists for two years.
(2) Contact the Direct Marketing Association and ask to be removed from their member mailing lists. You can make your request online for a $1 fee at DMA Opt Out or write the DMA at Mail Preference Service, Direct Marketing Association, P.O. Box 9008, Farmingdale, N.Y. 11735. Include your name, address and zip code for them to honor your request. If you try to register an entire household, you will be ignored. This registration is good for 5 years, and the DMA estimates it will reduce your junk mail by as much as 75% within six months.
(3) Visit OptOutPrescreen.com to fill out an online form requesting to “opt out” of firm offers of credit for 5 years. You can also opt out permanently by snail mail.
Tap into your inner cheapskate. - Very often, the cheap way of doing things, such as creatively repurposing something you already own, borrowing from a friend or buying used, is also the most environmentally friendly way to do things. The cheapest alternative isn’t always best, but if you start to think about how you can simplify your life and reduce your consumption, you will find that the two often go hand in hand.
What will you do between now and Earth Day 2008? Share your thoughts in the comments.
SOURCES:
Pablo Calculates the True Cost of Bottled Water
How to Live Without Plastic Bags
Lawyerlee
Excellent suggestions, thank you for posting them!