1. Recycle, recycle, recycle! It may seem obvious, but I'm amazed at how many people still don't recycle. If you live in Chattanooga, go to http://www.recycleright.org/ to sign up for free bi-weekly recycling pick up. You don't even have to sort it!
2. BYOB - Bring your own bag! Plastic bags take hundreds of years to break down in a landfill. Most European stores eliminated complimentary shopping bags years ago. Many grocery stores now offer reusable bags for purchase, or round up all the old freebie canvas totes you have around the house. I keep a pile of them in the trunk of my car, so I'm always ready for a grocery run.
3. Shop thrift or consignment first. Before you buy a brand new item of clothing, see if you can find what you need in a thrift or consignment store, or on Ebay. You'll lessen your environmental impact, and the impact on your wallet. If you need some inspiration, you can read about my year of no new clothes here and here.
4. Ditch the dryer. If it's nice out, hang your clothes on a clothesline outside. It's that easy! You'll save energy and extend the life of your clothes. We lived without a dryer for more than a year when we first got married, and I didn't really miss it much at all. Now, we just use it when it's raining or we're in need of clean undies, stat.
5. Drink tap water. We have the safest drinking water in the world, so ditch the bottled water, folks! All those bottles just create most waste, and studies have shown that the chemicals in plastic water bottles can leach out into the water. Use a water purifier or filter if you're concerned about taste. Carry your water to-go in a stainless steel (not aluminum) bottle, or make sure whatever bottle you're using is BPA-free.
I could go on, but I promised these would be easy! Let me know if you have any questions, or need more suggestions. The best thing you can do on Earth Day is go outside and enjoy it!
"The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it."
~ Psalm 24:1
~ Psalm 24:1
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