Reduce energy consumption and maximize savings: Use a laptop computer, which draws only 15 to 25 watts during regular use, as compared to the 150 watts consumed by a conventional desktop computer and monitor. Plug your laptop's AC adaptor into a power strip that can be turned off when it is not being recharged, and use the “sleep mode” - laptops draw just a fraction of a watt of power when in sleep mode.
Reduce air pollution and the use of trees for grilling food: Hybrids are not only for cars! Convert your home grill to a hybrid model. Use electricity or gas as the main power source for the grill, and burn only a small amount of charcoal or wood to impart aroma and flavor to the food.
Use energy-efficient light bulbs: Energy-efficient light bulbs last 12 times longer than traditional bulbs and consume 20% of the energy. These light bulbs focus on creating light, not heat: 90% of energy used by traditional bulbs is wasted in producing heat.
Wash and re-use a sturdy mug or cup At home, work and leisure activities, use a reusable mug or cup for beverages rather than a single-use disposable cup and encourage colleagues, friends and family to do so. It reduces costly solid waste and conserves materials and resources, even considering the water and soap to wash the reusable cup.
Borrow items from your local library or friends: Borrow and share books, CDs, and podcasts instead of purchasing these items. You will help save the materials, including trees and energy, required for the production of books, and the nonrenewable petroleum required for the manufacture of CDs and other media.
Buy items at thrift or vintage shops and flea markets: Support recycled goods by buying second-hand items. These are less expensive and sometimes more interesting than new ones, and you will have saved the resources needed to manufacture new merchandise and kept the recycled item from the landfill. Many countries have online resources to locate available secondhand merchandise, including freecycle.org and craigslist.com in the US.
Properly dispose of your cell phone: Bring your cell phone to an authorized recycling center. Cell phones contain enough lead to qualify as hazardous waste, and those that are lead-free contain copper, nickel, antimony, and zinc which leach into landfills. In many countries, programs exist to provide second hand cell phones to those in need, including victims of domestic violence, so also investigate the opportunity to help someone else with your unwanted cell phone.
Recycle your water: In your home, consider rearranging your plumbing so that rainwater or wastewater from your shower and tub is used to flush your toilet. If you have a garden, water it with leftover bathwater or dishwashing water (as long as you use a biodegradable soap). The soapy water can also safely help drive away unwanted insects from your garden without pesticides.
Recycle your old items: Donate your unwanted items to a charity, or find an online resource, such as Freecycle.org, to help you get dispose of possessions that someone else could use. Or you can exchange apparel or household goods with friends and family. Make it a rule in your house that nothing useable goes in the trash until you have first tried to give or sell it to someone else.
Wash your clothes in cool or cold water: Ninety percent of the energy used by washing machines goes into heating the water, and most of the environmental impact of apparel is in the lifetime of laundering, not the manufacturing process. Most clothes do not require hot water to get a good cleaning, and most detergents today work effectively in cold water The higher the temperature of the water, the more electricity you are consuming and the higher the cost in terms of both energy use, cost and environmental impact.
Fix that leaky pipe or faucet: The average leaky faucet or pipe that drips 30 drops per minute wastes about 114 liters of water per day, or the equivalent of 27 baths per year. Repair all leaky pipes and faucets, and you will be amazed at how much water you can save.
Think before you print: To save paper and ink, preview your documents before you print, and if you must print, do so on both sides. Paper accounts for more than half of all trash produced.
Paperless billing: Switch to online bill-paying with your banks, credit card companies, utilities and other companies that bill you on a regular basis. You will save money on postage, as well as save trees and fossil fuels.
Use a phone with a cord: Cordless phones are convenient, but when they are in their cradles they suck power on a continuous basis, regardless of whether they are in use or in stand-by mode. Switch to the old-fashioned phones with a cord, which uses only a trickle of electricity which they obtain through the phone line. If you have more than one phone in your home, and you need the convenience of a cordless, switch at least one phone to a model with a cord.
Select eco-friendly plantings in your home garden: Avoid having a green lawn, no matter how attractive it may be. Instead, convert all or most of your land to a garden or wooded area, and include plant varieties that attract birds and butterflies. Select planting species that are indigenous to your area and that require less water, fertilizer and maintenance.
Use nature to help keep your home comfortable: Plant trees and bushes around your home to provide shade in warm months and wind protection in the winter. As an added benefit, local birds will have a place to nest. Work with your local garden center to identify the best selection of plantings for your location and needs.
Reuse your Christmas tree: If you celebrate Christmas, select a living tree, with the root ball intact. Confer with your local gardening center for planting tips after the holidays. If you choose a tree that is cut down, determine if your community or a local organization provides mulching service that will convert the tree to useful mulch for your own garden or the community.
