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Go Green

Submitted by the Green Family, Lois & Ben Green

 

 

 

Bike Instead Of Ride.
Riding your bike instead of riding in a car saves energy and reduces pollution, of course.  But it is also fun!  That makes it a double benefit.

 

Buy Products Made Of Recycled Paper.
How can you tell if a package is recycled?  Look right on the package.  Many have specific claims, such as "made of 100 percent recycled material."  However, some recycled packages don't advertise this fact, although there are ways you can find out for yourself.  For example, when shopping for cereal, cookies, crackers, and other groceries packaged in cardboard boxes, make sure boxes are made from recycled paper.  If the underside is gray or dark brown, the cardboard is made of recycled material.  If it's white, it is made of unrecycled material.

 

Change A Light Bulb.
By replacing a standard bulb with a compact fluorescent one you will get more light for less money and save a lot of energy.

 

Cut Down On Packaging.
We've already given you several ways to do this.  Keep in mind that about half of what we throw away is packaging.  By buying products that have as little packaging as possible, you can help to reduce those mountains of trash.

 

Don't Buy Aerosols.
There are environmentally better packages for most products.  Aerosols can't be recycled--which means that they are guaranteed to end up in landfills--and some of their ingredients contribute to air pollution.  Instead of aerosols, look for spray bottles, liquids, powders, and roll-ons.

 

Eat Organic Produce.
Organic produce contains far fewer chemicals than other produce.  That's probably better for your health, and it is definitely better for the environment.  All those chemicals get washed off of farmers' fields into rivers and streams, where they pollute our water.  In addition, many of the chemicals are made from petroleum and other nonrenewable resources.  So, don't eat chemicals--eat real food

 

Elect "Green" Candidates. During election campaigns, ask candidates about their position on the environment.  Try to ask specific questions that relate to situations in your community--whether they support a mandatory recycling program, for example, or whether they plan to get tough on polluting companies!

 

Hold On To Balloons.
Helium balloons--they kind that float up into the sky--are lots of fun, but if you let them fly away, they may harm fish and animals.  Helium balloons eventually fall back to earth and can be blown by strong winds miles away into the ocean.  Some sea animals mistake the balloons for jellyfish.  When an animal tries to eat a balloon, it can kill the animal.  So if you have a helium balloon, hold on tight.  If you know of others planning to use them for a celebration, warn them about the dangers of letting the balloons fly away.

 

Look At Labels.
Reading labels can tell you a lot of things.  First, you can find out about a product's ingredients--whether it contains anything that might be hazardous to your health or the the environment.  A label will also tell you how to contact the product's manufacturer with your questions and comments.  Feel free to let them know what's on your mind.  Do you think their product is good?  Let them know!  Could it be better?  Let them know that, too.  In particular, let them know if you've decided to buy--or not buy--their product for environmental reasons.  Companies listen very carefully to what their customers have to say.  It doesn't take very many letters and calls for a company to think seriously about making changes.

 

Quit Throwing Away Batteries.
Americans go through more than two billion batteries a year to power such things as radios, calculators, watches, flashlights, and computers.  Unfortunately, batteries contain many hazardous materials, which leak into landfills when batteries are thrown away.  Many of these dangerous chemicals get into our water supply.  There are two ways you can avoid throwing away batteries.  One is by using batteries that can be recharged over and over.  You should also find out if there are companies in your area that recycle batteries.  If you must throw batteries away, do so at a hazardous-waste collection site, if there is one in your area.  Still another idea is to send the batteries back to the manufacturers, signifying that you consider used batteries a potential danger.  This may encourage companies to begin recycling