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Shayleah's "Ways to be more green"

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A list of things that I can do to help the environment and live a greener lifestyle

I am a vegetarian

I am vegan

I am a raw foodist

When buying meat products for my family I buy only free-range, organic, local meats

I store most of my food in reusable containers

I use glass and ceramic jars and containers instead of plastic whenever possible

When bringing a lunch or snack with me I use reusable containers and pack it in a reusable lunch bag

I only boil as much water as I need when making hot drinks

I use tea bags more than once before composting them

10.

I always cover pots when cooking; it heats things faster and reduces energy

11.

When cooking I use the smallest pot possible on the smallest burner possible to save energy

12.

I reuse my cooking water to water plants

13.

I rarely eat at fast food restaurants

14.

I bring my own reusable containers for take out and restaurant leftovers

15.

I do not accept styrofoam containers from any establishment

16.

I use a refillable drinking container instead of buying disposable plastic water bottles

17.

I carry a reusable mug or cold beverage container for drinks I buy to go

18.

If I forget my reusuable mug or beverage container I rinse the cardboard/plastic cup and lid when I get home and recycle it

19.

I use straws as little as possible and when I do I take the straw and wrapper home to recycle

20.

I carry my own cutlery and do not use plastic utentils at take out restaurants

21.

If I use plastic utensils at take out restaurants I bring them home to wash and recycle

22.

I carry a reusable cloth napkin with me and do not use disposable paper napkins

23.

I shop at farmer’s markets and local farms

24.

I pick my own fruits and vegetables at local u-pick farms

25.

I buy produce that has been grown locally whenever possible

26.

I only buy organic produce

27.

I support local health food stores

28.

I plan my meals ahead and only buy as much fresh produce as I need so that nothing spoils or gets wasted

29.

I use public transportation wherever I can

30.

I walk or ride a bicyle wherever I can

31.

I do not own any personal motorized watercraft, aircraft, or a hummer

32.

I drive the most fuel-efficient vehicle that I can

33.

When driving I pick a lane and stick with it for as long as possible and avoid shifting lanes until absolutely necessary, which reduces the amount of acceleration and fuel used

34.

I keep my tires properly inflated as underinflated tires waste fuel

35.

I own a hybrid or electric vehicle

36.

I car pool

37.

I plan my errands to use the least amount of gas

38.

I do not use air conditioning in the car; I open the windows instead

39.

I commute less by working, shopping and entertaining myself in my own neighbourhood as much as possible

40.

I do not idle

41.

I make gifts for family and friends instead of buying things whenever I can

42.

When purchasing gifts I give gift cards so others can choose something they truly want

43.

I regift anything I receive from others that I know I won’t use or enjoy

44.

I give gifts in the names of my friends or loved ones by donating money to charities and helping others (such as buying a goat for a family through World Vision, 10,000 Villages, etc.)

45.

I support local businesses

46.

I buy products with minimal packaging

47.

I use resusable cloth bags wherever I shop, whether buying groceries or anything else

48.

I boycott environmentally and socially unsustainable products & companies

49.

When I buy paper for my printer, I look for and buy 100% post-consumer recycled

50.

I use my printer as little as possible, and print on both sides of the paper

51.

I buy toilet paper that is made from post-consumer recycled products

52.

I buy second hand books

53.

I use the library

54.

I buy eBooks online and read them on my computer

55.

I am immune to infomercials and other slick advertisements

56.

I buy some of my clothing second-hand

57.

I patricipate in clothing swaps with friends

58.

I do not buy disposable plates or utensils

59.

I only buy candles that are petroleum-free, such as soy or beeswax candles

60.

I shop at garage sales, flea markets, and other second-hand stores

61.

I live in a space smaller than 1000 square feet per person

62.

I use natural light and cooling whenever possible

63.

I unscrew the excess lightbulbs in balists that have multiple bulbs

64.

Most or all of my lightbulbs are compact flourescents instead of incandescent

65.

I turn off all unnecessary lights, particularly when I leave a room

66.

I use dimmer switches to reduce light energy use

67.

I briefly rinse and reuse the same glass rather than getting a new one for each beverage

68.

I turn down my water heater when I'm not using hot water

69.

I have insulated my electric hot-water storage tank and the first couple of feet of hot and cold water pipes connected to the heater

70.

I drain a quart of water from my water tank every 3 months to remove sediment that impedes heat transfer and lowers the efficiency of the heater

71.

I have a programmable thermostat to control the heating and cooling in my home

72.

I turn down the thermostat at night and when I am not home

73.

I clean or replace furnace filters monthly

74.

I put a sweater on instead of turning up the furnace

75.

During winter, I keep the draperies and shades on my south-facing windows open during the day to allow the sunlight to enter my home, and closed at night

76.

I flush selectively (and the people who live with me accept that)

77.

I use as little toilet paper as possible

78.

I use all-natural, biodegradable cleaning products

79.

I make some of my own cleaning products from natural ingredients

80.

I do not buy any aerosol products

81.

I do not leave the tap running

82.

All of my large appliances are certified energy-efficient

83.

I rarely use a microwave

84.

I unplug small appliances when they are not in use

85.

I turn off my computer and monitor when not in use

86.

I set my computer to switch to sleep mode automatically, rather than using a screen saver, as screen savers use more energy

87.

I have a laptop instead of a regular computer, as this uses less energy

88.

I refill my printer ink catridges when possible, and recycle old cartridges when I can’t

89.

I plug my TV and other appliances into power bars, and turn the power bars off when not in use

90.

I use a spatula to scrape off my dirty dishes, rather than rising them, before putting them in the dishwasher or washing by hand

91.

I only run my dishwasher with a FULL load

92.

I do not use the drying cycle on my dishwasher

93.

I use reusable cloth napkins and do not buy paper napkins

94.

I know how my electricity is generated, and have made the greenest choice (such as Greenmax or wind power)

95.

I don't buy or use paper towels around the house; I use a towel or dishcloth

96.

I drink filtered tap water instead of buying bottled water

97.

My home is built using green technology

98.

I have had my home checked by a professional for energy efficiency and have made any necessary changes to improve it (such caulking, new insulation, better seals on doors and windows, etc.)

99.

If I have a regular fireplace I keep the damper closed when not in use

100.

I grow some of my own food

101.

I compost

102.

I do not use any chemicals or presticides in my yard

103.

I use an electric lawn mower instead of gas

104.

I leave grass clippings on the lawn after mowing instead of bagging them, as this returns nutrients to the soil and reduces what goes into landfills

105.

My yard has mostly local, low maintenance vegetation

106.

I do not have gasoline bonfires

107.

I get online bank statements and bills, instead of paper statements

108.

I read the news online, rather than the newspaper

109.

I do my banking and pay bills online

110.

I use a digital camera and rarely print out pictures

111.

I rent movies online and have them delivered in the mail insteading of driving to the rental store

112.

I use rechargable batteries

113.

I do not use wrapping paper for gifts

114.

I save bows and ribbons from any gifts I receive and recycle them by using them on another gift

115.

I reuse the same gift bags, boxes, and tissue paper each year when giving gifts to my family

116.

I use the things that I own for the very long time

117.

I use plastic ziploc bags as little as possible and when I do I wash and reuse them

118.

I mend my clothing and continue to wear it

119.

I buy eco-friendly clothing made of sustainable natural fibres such as cotton, bamboo, and hemp

120.

I recycle everything I can, even when it is not convenient

121.

I recycle all my electronics including old cell phones and computer parts

122.

I dispose of garbage in biodegradable bags

123.

I dispose of dog poop in biodegradable bags

124.

I dispose of any paints, nail polish containers, or other chemicals properly

125.

I buy eco-friendly paint (from Benjamin Moore or other paint stores)

126.

I have a sign at my door asking for “No Junk Mail Please” and recycle any flyers that people leave in spite of it

127.

I donate clothes, furniture, and other household items instead of throwing them away

128.

I donate my old eyeglasses whenever I get a new pair for myself, so the lenses can be ground and recycled

129.

I wear clothes more than once before I wash them

130.

I use towels more than once before washing them

131.

I only wash my laundry when I have a full load

132.

I wash my laundry in cold water

133.

I do not use fabric softner

134.

I hang dry my laundry

135.

If using the dryer I do not use dryer sheets

136.

I let my hair dry naturally

137.

I turn off the water when brushing my teeth

138.

I have a high-efficiency showerhead

139.

I take showers that last no more than 5 minutes

140.

I turn off the shower when shaving

141.

I save water by showering every other day or showering with another person

142.

I turn off exhaust fans within 20 minutes of showering

143.

I do not use disposable plastic razors

144.

I buy toothbrushes made of recycled plastic and use them as long as possible

145.

I do not use cosmetics or hair products that have been tested on animals or contain animal products

146.

I make some of my own personal care products from natural ingredients

147.

I do not use aerosol personal care products such as shaving cream or hairspray

148.

I use handkerchiefs instead of disposable tissues/kleenex

149.

I use a special dental tool on my teeth and do not use wooden toothpicks

150.

I do not use hormone-based birth control

151.

In public restrooms, I dry my hands naturally by using only the air dryer instead of paper towels

152.

I do not use pharmaceuticals

153.

I (will) have no more than two children, or adopt some of my children

154.

I celebrate Earth Day and help raise awareness

155.

I vote for green political representatives at all levels of government (Green Party)

156.

I sign petitions to politicians asking them to make choices that protect the environment

157.

I offset my carbon emissions

158.

I read/learn a lot about environmental issues

159.

I watched the movie “An Inconvenient Truth” and discussed it with others

160.

I watched the movie “The Story of Stuff” and discussed it with others http://www.storyofstuff.com/

161.

I watched the movie “Garbage!” and thought about the amount of garbage I throw away and how long it takes to decompose

162.

I talk to my friends about living green

163.

I have several green friends

164.

I believe the earth is sacred and teach this to others

165.

I belong to an envrionmental group

166.

I give money to an environmental group

167.

I volunteer with an environmental group

168.

I participate in tree planting

169.

I do not litter

170.

I do not smoke

171.

I carry a biodegradable bag with me whenever I go for walks and pick up garbage along the way

172.

I am a member of the Care2 community http://www.care2.com/

173.

I find ways to be green at my workplace, such as recycling and minimal printing of documents, and encourage my coworkers to do the same

174.

I have chosen a career that will have a positive impact on the environment

This is Shayleah's list. Only Shayleah can edit it. You can make your own version of this list.

Created by Shayleah on Jan 21, 2008.