Daily Green Tip: Cut credit card offers
Tired of all those pre-approved credit card offers in your mailbox? Cut down on the wasted paper (and hits on your credit report) by removing your name from credit card and insurance mailings at http://www.OptOutPrescreen.com. This Web site is the official consumer credit reporting industry website for opting in or out of mailings. By submitting your name, address, birthday and social security number on this secure site, you can opt out of mailings for five years. You can also permanently opt out by sending a form through snail mail. -Karen-Lee Ryan, TennesseeGreen.com
Daily Green Tip: Bump up the bins
Everybody has a trash can at home–or more likely several trash cans. Many of us have at least one in each room of the house. But how many recycling bins do you have? Chances are, there’s only one or two of those around, which means when you’re upstairs and have some recyclables, it’s a long way down to the bins in the kitchen. Increase your chances for recycling by increasing the number of bins in your house. Go so far as to have more bins than cans, and watch your recycling go through the roof! -Courtesy of CoolPeopleCare.com
Daily Green Tip: Tighten that gas cap
After refueling your car, screw the gas cap tightly into place. The gas cap is part of a vehicle’s emission control system and is designed to prevent polluting gasoline vapors from escaping into the air. Replace a lost or damaged gas cap as soon as possible with one made for your car. A leaking or missing gas cap can allow as much as 30 gallons of gas a year to escape into the atmosphere. -Karen-Lee Ryan, TennesseeGreen.com
Daily Green Tip: Save packaging, buy in bulk
The average American generates more than 4.5 pounds of waste a day, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, and much of it is packaging from the goods we consume. Some grocery stores and most health food stores sell food in bulk, such as flour, rice, candy, nuts, spices and more. Buying in bulk not only prevents waste, but often also saves money–and you get exactly the amount you want. For items not available in the bulk, be sure to recycle as much packaging as possible. -Karen-Lee Ryan, TennesseeGreen.com
Daily Green Tip: Buy organic wisely
When buying produce, not everything has to be organic. Make the organic switch for fruits and vegetables that contain the highest amount of pesticides. According to the Environmental Working Group the following 12 fruits and vegetables consistently contain the highest amount of pesticides, so buy organic when possible: apples, bell peppers, celery, cherries, grapes, nectarines, peaches, pears, potatoes, raspberries, spinach and strawberries. -Karen-Lee Ryan, TennesseeGreen.com
Daily Green Tip: Maintain appliances
To keep your appliances running at peak efficiency and saving electricity, keep them well maintained. Remove lint and dust from your refrigerator coil and freezer. Clean up lint around inside your dryer, furnace and any vents leading to or from them. Also, change or clean the filter in your air purifier or furnace. Source: Environmental Protection Agency
Daily Green Tip: Party without paper
If you’re hosting a Christmas celebration, select reusable products. Sturdy, washable utensils, tableware, cloth napkins and dishcloths can be used many times. Also, buy drinks and snacks in bulk to prevent packaging waste, and encourage guests to recycle their empty aluminum cans and glass or plastic bottles. Also reuse decorations, or rent some from a party store. Karen-Lee Ryan, TennesseeGreen.com
Daily GreenTip: Recycle electronics
Electronic products can make life more convenient, but they also get outdated quickly. In 2005, used or unwanted electronics added up to about 2 million tons. Of that, more than 1.5 million tons were discarded in landfills, while only about 350,000 tons were recycled. Donate electronics or safely recycle whenever possible. Computer monitors and older TV picture tubes contain an average of four pounds of lead and require special handling at the end of their lives. In addition to lead, electronics can contain chromium, cadmium, mercury, beryllium, nickel, zinc and brominated flame retardants. When electronics are not disposed of or recycled properly, these toxic materials can present problems.
Daily Green Tip: Stop the leaks
The average American family uses 400 gallons of water per day. Efficient water use helps the environment and saves money. On occasion, check every faucet in your home for leaks. Even a minor leak can waste more than 20 gallons of water a day. That is over 7,000 gallons per year! Source: Metro Water Services
Daily Tip: Read ‘em and wipe
Forget paper towels–use old newspapers for streak-free cleaning. And ditch the chemical-laden cleaners, too. Simply mix 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice in 1 quart of water. Spray on and use newspaper to dry. For more green cleaning tips, click here. -Karen-Lee Ryan, TennesseeGreen.com
Daily Green Tip: Skip the bottled water
It takes 1.5 million barrels of oil per year to meet Americans’ demand for bottled water. That’s enough fuel to send 500 station wagons on coast-to-coast trips. Instead of buying water in disposable bottles, use and refill a single water bottle. Just be sure to use one that’s designed for that purpose. Bottles made from plastic #1, the packaging for most disposable water and soda bottles, may leach a probable carcinogen called DEHP when the bottles get dented or damaged. And if you do find yourself with a disposable water bottle, just be sure it ends up in a recycling bin, not the trash. -Karen-Lee Ryan, TennesseeGreen.com
