Introducing Eco Habit Living Series

I have decided to start a series called Eco Habit Living Series (EHLS).  This series is going to be all about what we can do in our day to day life to be more green, tips, ideas, information the whole gamut.   We have to be more aware of our environment like we have to be more aware of our health.  The two kind of integrates with one another.  I hope that the information I consolidate from various resources is super informative for you.

So let's begin

This is an article that I came across from the Romantic Frugal Mom.

5 Easy Green Habits You can adopt each day. 

If you recycle things such as glass, paper or plastic you probably think that you are doing your bit for the planet. Although you should be commended for bothering to recycle, there are many other things you can do which are environmentally friendly. It is easier than you might believe to be green. With a little effort you can save money, help the environment and center yourself towards efficiency.

1. Go Green in the Home  

The first easy green habit you can adopt is to switch things off properly. By not unplugging gadgets, Americans waste $1 billion per year. This is caused by leaving your home electronics on standby. Just remember to switch off TVs, DVD players, microwave ovens and computers when not in use. Using all of this power unnecessarily is not good for our planet.

By turning your thermostat down by two degrees during the colder months, you can save on energy use and cut your bill by 10%. You should also aim to wash your laundry on a lower setting to save on energy. Many detergents are tailor made to give outstanding results for clothing washed at 30 degrees so there really is no excuse not to make this change. Further energy can be saved by line drying your damp laundry or hanging from a clothes airer.

Change your light bulbs to the energy efficient ones. These only use one fifth as much energy as regular bulbs and will last twelve times longer. Swap all of your batteries for rechargeable ones. This will save you a lot of money and will be good for cutting down on wastage. Use things up rather than throwing them away. Stale bread and over ripe fruit are just two examples of things which normally get thrown away but both can make delicious meals.

Using old envelopes to write notes or shopping lists is an excellent green tip and saves paper. Using less paper stops so many trees having to be chopped down. The same goes when you are shopping. Try and buy refill packs or brands which have less packaging.

2. Cut Down On Driving

Not only will this help the planet, it will save you money and make you fitter. Even if it is for just one day per week, do not use the car or public transport; simply walk, cycle or run. 

This is a super healthy way to practice being green and will not cost you anything. You will need a little more time for your journey but that is simple if you plan ahead.

3. Recycle As Much as Possible

As well as recycling plastic bottles, glass and paper, remember to recycle as much as you possibly can to cut down on your personal waste. Ink cartridges, batteries, old cell phones and electrical goods are all recyclable. Used ink cartridges can be sent to third world countries to help poor communities and the same with old cell phones. However if you are not feeling charitable, you can sell unused cell phones online. Old computers can be collected on request for recycling purposes. Electrical items should never just be dumped, they should always be recycled. There are always companies willing to collect so inconvenience need not be an excuse.

You could make your own compost bin in order to cut down on kitchen and garden waste. You can throw in things such as vegetable peelings, egg shells, weeds, rotten fruit and much more. All you need is a box with a lid which you should preferably keep outdoors.

4. Change your Cosmetics and Cleaning Products

Next time you go out shopping, read the ingredients on the back of your shower gel, moisturiser and lipstick. These things are full of chemicals and even toxins. Switch to a green brand of make up and try and look out for environmentally friendly bath and shower products. These products are widely available today both in stores and online. The planet will thank you and so will your skin. Tests carried out have shown that the human body absorbs these chemicals over time so by being green and buying environmentally friendly products we are making ourselves less toxic.

Try not to buy cleaners which contain chemicals. You can buy green cleaning products everywhere these days. You could also make your own with essential oil, white vinegar and lemon juice. Green cleaning is better for the planet as well as being kinder to skin and less harmful to asthmatics or babies. If you catch a cold, buy recycled tissues as you can get through a lot of paper tissues in the duration of a cold or flu. When you are out shopping remember to look out for recycled toilet tissue. There are brands available which are no more expensive than regular toilet paper. There are only positive consequences to making these changes.

5. Use Less Water

Always be mindful about the amount of water you use. For example, when brushing your teeth it is not necessary to have the faucet running. Stop taking as many baths and switch to showers instead. This, coupled with the addition of a low-flow shower head, can make a noticeable difference.

None of these changes are difficult to implement but will make a huge difference to our planet. You can feel happy in the knowledge that you have adopted a green lifestyle, and in doing so are making valuable contribution to saving the planet.

Thanks so much  Romantic Frugal Mom!  These are super great tips!