Do just one thing
MINIMIZE TAKE-OUT WASTE
While ordering takeout food may not seem like an eco-friendly option, there are things you can order to minimize the waste. Start by bringing a reusable water bottle filled with filtered water instead of buying a disposable plastic one with your meal. And look for minimally wrapped items like burritos and sandwiches, which only need a sheet of foil or waxed paper. Don’t take plastic bags or utensils, and take only the napkins you need, rather than a stack of them. And of course, just say no to plastic straws.
RESUING POTTING SOIL
It’s fine to reuse potting soil if the plants that were growing in it were healthy and had no signs of disease or pests. But if you’re unsure, you can sterilize it yourself to get it ready for reuse. Start by removing all the roots, debris and any rotting material in the soil. Then fill a black plastic garbage bag with the soil and tie it shut. Leave it outside in the sun for four to six weeks. During this time, the heat will kill all pathogens and bugs.
CHECK THE TOILET
Small, silent leaks in your toilet can waste up to 100 gallons of H2O per day. Not only is it wasteful, but it can also hike up your water bill. To check your toilet, there’s a simple test you can do every year. Use a dye tablet and drop it in your water tank. If you see dye seeping into your toilet bowl, you have a leak, and you may need to replace the rubber flapper or inner fill mechanisms in your toilet. Many water utility companies offer free dye tablets, so it’s worth asking.
RENT A KEG OF BEER
Are you planning to host a large outdoor party where beer will be offered? While beer bottles and cans are recyclable, you can go one step further to green your backyard affair. Consider renting a keg of beer, which eliminates the waste of beverage containers. A full keg holds 31 gallons, but you can also order half kegs if you’re having a smaller group. Remember to use reusable cups, or look for compostable cups as an alternative. Cheers!
PAPER TOWELS HAVE GERMS
Another reason to ditch wasteful paper towels: They can harbor germs. A study by the Laval University in Quebec City showed that bacteria can thrive even on unused towels. The pulping processes at the factories that make paper towels can often be contaminated themselves, spreading germs like the bacillus spore right onto the towels. While no illness has been linked to paper towels, this is just one more reason to switch to microfiber towels, which absorb germs and bacteria and are machine-washable.
AWNINGS A GOOD INVESTMENT
If you live in a hot climate, awnings are a good investment to provide shade for your windows. According to the Department of Energy, “76% of sunlight that falls on standard double-pane windows enters to become heat.” So blocking sunlight can help keep your home cooler. Invest in awnings where they’ll help the most: on south and west-facing windows. Awnings can reduce solar heat by as much as 77% on those windows alone. And choose a light, pretty color to help reflect light and heat.
REEF-SAFE’ SUNSCREENS
When using sunscreen, avoid those that are made with the chemicals oxybenzone and octinoxate. These are ingredients known to be harmful to reefs. Products that are free of these chemicals will be labeled “reef-safe.” You can also look for sunscreen that’s labeled “clean beauty” at major stores to be even kinder to the planet, all while protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful rays.