You might have heard the term "carbon footprint" being used by everyone from scientists and business professionals to elementary school teachers and students. It refers to our individual impact on ecological battlefronts like waste management and alternative fuels. Yet, some believe that being eco-friendly has become too commercialized as an alternative lifestyle. Going green does not have to mean going to the extreme. There are some simple ways to make eco-friendly choices without drastically changing your life. Subtle changes in our habits at home, the foods we eat and the products we buy can make a big difference over all.
Instructions
The Eco-Friendly Lifestyle
1. Make eco-friendly choices at home.
You can start by switching out all your light bulbs for energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs. This can slash your electricity consumption and your energy bill at the same time. Just be sure to turn off those energy saving bulbs when you leave the room. To conserve water, take shorter showers and turn the faucets off while you're brushing your teeth. Instead of turning on the outside hose to water your garden, collect rainwater in garbage cans. Cutting down on water consumption will not only save on the water bill, but it also reduces our stress on lakes, rivers and streams.
According to an Ace Hardware statistic, "Most people in North America use 50 to 70 gallons of water indoors each day, with over 75 percent of all water being used in the bathroom. We use another 50 to 70 gallons outdoors, depending on the season."
2. Make eco-friendly choices with recycling.
Be sure to arrange and organize your trash in separate recycling bins. You should have each one for glass, plastic, aluminum and paper. Even if your city or district does not offer door-to-door recycling services, most places still have a central recycling center nearby. Make a conscious effort to buy recycled products, as well. This small gesture can help make the transition from wasteful habits to eco-friendly choices that much easier. You can find greeting cards, napkins, office paper and even plastic bottles made from recycled materials.
According to the National Recycling Coalition, "A typical family consumes 182 gallons of soda, 29 gallons of juice, 104 gallons of milk and 26 gallons of bottled water a year." Recycling the containers from all of these beverages will have a big impact on the environment.
3. Make eco-friendly food choices.
Buying fresh, organic foods has become an increasingly popular eco-friendly choice. Organic foods contain little to no pesticides, additives or preservatives. Try shopping at your local farmer's market where local vegetables are sold or shop at a new age grocer like the Whole Foods Market.
According to the Organic Trade Association's (OTA's) 2004 Manufacturer Survey, "Whole Foods Market in Monterey, California, has designed a school lunch program that it is pitching to private schools around Monterey County. As a result, All Saints Episcopal Day School in Carmel Valley, signed up for the program which features lunches offering organic products whenever possible and avoiding the use of hydrogenated fats, artificial colors, flavors and preservatives."
4. Make eco-friendly clothing choices.
Buy fewer clothing items and use them for a longer period of time. Repair damaged clothes and pass on items that no longer fit. You can also make eco-friendly clothing choices by purchasing fabrics made from natural materials like bamboo and organic cotton.
According to the Organic Trade Association's 2007 Manufacturer's Survey, "Organic fiber linens and clothing sales in the United States grew by 26 percent over the previous year, to reach $203 million."
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