| Are you concerned about our environment, but | | | | are a major cause of greenhouse gasses and |
| aren't sure what you can do to help? Going | | | | ozone depletion. So next time you get ready to |
| green isn't as difficult as you might think. In this | | | | throw something away, ask yourself if you could |
| article, we'll discuss five easy things you can do at | | | | possibly use the item in another way or donate it. |
| home to impact the environment in a positive | | | | 3. Turn off the water. U.S. households waste |
| way. Going green, also known as eco friendly | | | | thousands of gallons of water every year. A |
| living, is a growing trend around the world. Now | | | | significant amount of this water goes down the |
| more than ever, people are beginning to realize | | | | sink while we are brushing our teeth, washing our |
| the impact their actions and decisions have on the | | | | hair, or soaping up in the shower. Turning off |
| world around us. Every time we get in a car, | | | | the water during these activities can save a huge |
| ride on a plane, or make a purchase at the | | | | amount of water, which not only helps the |
| grocery store, we know that energy is | | | | environment, but also saves you money. |
| consumed, greenhouse gasses are created, and | | | | 4. Ride your bicycle. For short trips around town, |
| landfills get a little fuller. It's easy to become | | | | air up the tires and ride your bike. It will save |
| overwhelmed by the vastness of it all, but relax | | | | you gas and give you some good exercise. If |
| and take a step back. No one of us has to save | | | | you don't have a bicycle, you can walk, ride roller |
| the world alone. But what we can do is each | | | | blades, or even a skateboard. |
| take a few small steps every day. Small | | | | 5. Install low flush toilets and shower heads. This |
| changes make a big difference in the grand | | | | is another way to consume less water in the |
| scheme of things. With that in mind, we're going | | | | bathroom. Even better yet, if you're getting |
| to discuss a few easy things that you can do at | | | | ready to put in a new toilet fixture, look into |
| home to make a big difference in the world | | | | composting toilets. These fixtures are clean and |
| around you. | | | | odorless, and will save you a significant amount of |
| | | | money in water and sewer costs. |
| 1. Recycle. Experts agree that recycling is one of | | | | While the suggestions above may seem like really |
| the best and easiest ways to make a | | | | small things, don't underestimate the impact these |
| difference. If every person on the planet | | | | changes can make. If every person in the |
| recycled, we could reduce landfill waste and | | | | United States made a conscious effort today to |
| greenhouse gasses in a very significant way. | | | | turn off the water while brushing their teeth or |
| Most communities have recycling programs in | | | | shampooing their hair, think how many millions of |
| place already, making it easy to participate. If | | | | gallons of water would be saved! Now multiply |
| your city doesn't, inquire with local officials about | | | | that over the course of fifty years, and the |
| starting a program. | | | | result is astronomical. So what are you waiting |
| 2. Don't throw it away! We have a tendency not | | | | for? Now is a great time to jump on the going |
| to think about items we throw away. They | | | | green bandwagon by recycling, saving some |
| disappear from our sight, so they are out of our | | | | water, and using less energy. The environment |
| minds. But all those things that the garbage | | | | will benefit, and in many cases, your pocketbook |
| truck hauls away every week do have to go | | | | will, too. |
| somewhere, and that place is a landfill. Landfills | | | | |