10 Tips YOU Can Do to Save the Planet

Where would we be without the earth?  Probably not on Mars or the moon, so the Earth is pretty much our place of inhabitance, and yet we don't tyipcally think about the things that we do in our daily lives as detrimental to the Earth.  What can I do to save the entire Earth you may ask yourself.  Tons.  Every bit helps.  It's up to us as humans to help the Earth survive so that our children and our children's children and so forth have a beautiful place to live and enjoy - just like we have!

So here are a few tips that you can use, as a person and family, to reduce waste and save the Earth - one day at a time!

I live these tips as well, so these are tried and true ways to reduce waste, costs, and help Mother Earth all at the same time!  It's a win-win-win situation any way you look at it!!

1. Turn out all lights when not in use.  This saves not only money, but it saves energy consumption.

2. Reuse water bottles.  Don't just throw those water bottles away after each one is done.  It's easy to go through 3 - 6 or even MORE in one day. So fill those bottles back up with spring water!  Not only will this save you money, but it will reduce the amount of waste in landfills.

3. Use reusable grocery bags. Many grocery stores will credit you .05 or more to use a reusable bag!  You're not limited to using the ones sold in the stores either... buy SUPER TRENDY ones and they'll pay for themselves! (reusable shopping bags coming SOON to SediluGreen!)

4. Pay your bills online. This not only saves paper from checks, statements, and envelopes, but it also saves emissions from polluting the air from the postal trucks driving around!

5. Use Earth Friendly Cleaners. Believe it or not, Earth friendly does not mean "less effective".  Many times the chemicals in your cleaners are harmful not only to your health, but your pets' health as well.  Biodegradable/Earth friendly cleaners are definitely the way to go to save the earth and help your family as well!

6. Turn down the Heat/AC.  We live in the South where you can literally fry an egg on the road in the summertime.  So I understand how crazy it sounds to reduce the AC in the summer.  But, if you use your ceiling fans and some well placed fans around the house to circulate the air, you'll be surprised at how COOL your home stays with it being at 75 degrees. 

In the winter, throwing on some socks and a sweatshirt will save on heating bills.  Also, you'll have an excuse to snuggle up to your special someone on those chilly nights!  Another benefit?  Using your fireplace and drinking warm coffee or cocoa - romantic nights are inevitable!  Kids and all! 

7. Cut down on your junk mail.  Opt out of receiving junk mail offers like credit cards, etc.  I mean, who needs 10 credit card offers a week?  Know where they go?  Typically in the trash!  Save a tree, and some frustration, by opting out.  Here's where to go to do it:

http://consumerist.com/367478/8-ways-to-opt-out-of-junk-mail-lists

8. Recycle! Recycle! Recycle! Did I say recycle?  It's not as hard as you may think.  Many cities offer recycling bins that you use and they pick them up.  If your city doesn't do what we do - place strategically placed recycling trash bins around the house.  Plastics are in the kitchen. Newspapers, tin cans, aluminum cans and cardboard are in the garage (lined up against the wall right by the door from the laundry room!).  It's super easy to walk to the door, open it, and throw what you need to into the correct bin.  We take our recycling once a week to the center and drop it off!  SUPER EASY! 

A side benefit to this is this is the kids' job.  So they not only learn to take care of the earth, but they learn responsibility as well!  Excellent!

9. Reuse shipping materials. Have relatives or friends that are out of town?  Get packages every so often?  Get a box and throw your packaging materials into it and save it for those special occassions when you have to mail things!  From bubble wrap to boxes, stash them in an inconspicuous place and save them for later.  It not only saves money, but it saves headaches driving to the store.  Oh and the side benefit?  Saves the Earth!!  :)

10. Use reusable lunch baggies.  Like the ones found at SediluGreen.etsy.com.  Super fun. Fashionable. And you'd be surprised at how much money you save on plastic baggies.  Families can easily go through HUNDREDS of these every month or less.  Save the earth.  Go green.  Get fashionable.  Good for ALL ages and walks of life!  Think of a design you'd like to have?  Contact us and we'll get it done for you!  OR, you can request a special design on the etsy site! 

There you have it!  10 SIMPLE ways to go green without a lot of hassle and trouble.  There are many side benefits to saving the Earth like responsbility, cost savings, and just plain old feeling good about doing something good! 

TOODLES!  Enjoy!  Live green!

SediluGreen