Striving for Green

Last year I read It’s Easy Being Green, which has a wonderful list of eco-friendly tasks to clean up your life and your environment. I checked off all the items I wanted to tackle. So since it’s been a year, I thought I’d list all the items and mark off what I’ve accomplished over the past year. (I also have my own eco-wishlist that I’m continually updating.)

• Turn off water while brushing teeth/shaving.
• Use strainer on drains.
• Use water-based paints.
• Properly discard paint cans by drying them out.
• Use old towels and T-shirts as rags.
• Buy concentrated products.
• Keep a full fridge.
• Set fridge at 37º F.
• Keep fridge clean.
• Use toaster oven more often.
• Use “no heat” setting on dishwasher.
• Keep drapes closed on hot days in the summer.
• Use energy-saving features on your computer.
• Buy gift wrap made from recycled paper.
• Find creative ways to wrap gifts.
• Use energy-saving holiday lights.
• Reuse holiday cards.
• Eat less meat.
• Buy organic.
• Wash produce in a bowl of water.
• Reduce water volume when turning on faucet.
• Avoid single-serving products.
• Buy in bulk.
• Cook in bulk.
• Cover pots when cooking.
• Cool food before refrigerating.
• Buy quality products.
• Use rechargeable batteries.
• Recycle old athletic shoes.
• Download software instead of purchasing it.
• Buy products with less packaging.
• Share magazine subscriptions with someone.
• Send ecards when appropriate.
• Ride your bike on errands three miles or fewer away.
• Drive slower.
• Take public transportation once a week.
• Decline housekeeping service in hotels.
• Avoid packing peanuts.
• Use a reusable mug for coffee.
• Get off mailing lists.
• Bring your own bag when shopping.
• Avoid plastic produce bags. Bring your own.
• Reuse plastic water bottles for household uses.
  
• Recycle old cellphones and batteries.
• Donate to charity.
• Use a paper shredder.
  
• Take shorter showers.
• Run only full loads in the dishwasher.
  
• Collect gray water.
  
• Don’t throw trash in the toilet.
• Buy an eco-friendly shower curtain (nonvinyl).
• Use oxygen bleach.
• Switch to reusable cleaning rags.
• Switch to eco-friendly cleaners.
• Wear clothes until they are really dirty.
• Wash clothes in cold water.
• Run full loads of laundry.
• Switch to eco-friendly dish and laundry detergents.
• Dry delicates on a drying rack.
• Switch to CFLs.
• Turn lights off when you leave the room.
• Install ceiling fans.
• Keep central air above 78º F. Heat around 68º F.
• Use a programmable thermostat.
• Save gift wrapping materials.
• Recycle your Christmas tree each year.
• Participate in the card recycling program for St. Jude’s.
• Frequent the local farmer’s market.
• Filter water with a pitcher or filtration system.
• Switch to cloth napkins.
• Store water pitcher in fridge.