Green Eco Tips for Sustainable Living. First Reduce. The critical first step of waste prevention has been overshadowed by a focus on recycling. Please help to promote a greater awareness of the importance of the Reduce part of the Reduce Reuse Recycle mantra. For a great overview of how raw materials and products move around the world, see the video The Story of Stuff. Go Zero Waste The ultimate goal learn how at Zero Waste Home. Simplify Simplify your life as much as possible. Only keep belongings that you useenjoy on a regular basis. By making the effort to reduce what you own, you will naturally purchase lesscreate less waste in the future. Determine Your Impact The Eco Footprint, Greendex and Water Footprint calculators give you a great way to determine how you are impacting the environment. I/41gI4eGcC2L._SL500_AC_SS350_.jpg' alt='Install Aerators On Your Taps Restaurant' title='Install Aerators On Your Taps Restaurant' />Reduce Purchases In general, think before you buy any product do you really need it How did the production of this product impact the environment and what further impacts will there be with the disposal of the product and associated packaging materials When you are thinking about buying something, try the 3. Day Rule wait 3. This will eliminate impulse buying. The free, downloadable Wallet Buddy from The Center for a New American Dream is a great constant reminder to make sustainable purchases including avoiding unessentials. Observe an Eco Sabbath For one day, afternoon or hour a week, dont buy anything, dont use machines, dont switch on anything electric, dont cook, dont answer your phone and, in general, dont use any resources. Replace Disposables Wherever possible, replace disposable products with reusable ones i. Buy Used Buy used products whenever possible. Some sources local thrift stores. Ebay. Craigslist. Oregon Trail 3Rd Edition Free Download here. Amazon search on refurbished then click on links in left sidebar or search for specific refurbished productFreecycle freelocal newspaper listingslocal material exchange sites search in your areagarage sales search in your area in the for sale garage sales sectionused refurbished computers check your computer manufacturers website or Amazon. Make Your Own Whenever possible, make your own products to cut down on waste and control the materials used. Here are some great inspirations pinterest diy projects and apartmenttherapy household cleaning recipes. We would like to show you a description here but the site wont allow us. B_SHOWER_AERATORS_Eco365_Water-_Saver.jpg' alt='Install Aerators On Your Taps Restaurant' title='Install Aerators On Your Taps Restaurant' />Borrow From Friends If you only need something temporarily, ask if a friend or neighbor would loan it to you. Share With Friends Share things like books, magazines, movies, games, and newspapers between friends and neighbors. Tree Free Home As much as possible, create a tree free home. A few free suggestions Wunderlist, Remember the Milk, Grocery. IQreuse envelopes, wrapping paper, the front of gift cards as postcards and other paper materials you receive wherever possibleread books, magazines, and newspapers from your local library or online many have email newsletterscreate and use note pads from once used paper leave messages for family membersroommates on a reusable message board make your own cardsletters from once used products or handmade paper or buy at thrift storesif you will be doing construction on your house, search out alternatives to using newly cut wood no endorsement of any company intended. Bulk Purchases Avoid products that are packaged for single use i. Instead, buy in bulk and transfer the products to your own reusable containers. Many health food stores have bulk bins where they sell everything from grains to cereal to cleaning products. Hundreds of green eco tips for creating a sustainable lifestyle including how to reduce, reuse, recycle, conserve energy and water, buy eco gifts and more Over thirty going green ideas for the office that are easy to do and will make a considerable difference over time in your business. For additional ideas, read the Precycling information page. Buy Only What You Need Buy only as much as you know youll use for items such as food, cleaning supplies, and paint. Avoid Creating Trash Avoid creating trash wherever possible when ordering food, avoid receiving any unnecessary plastic utensils, straws, etc. Every little bit of trash avoided does make a differenceShopping Bags While shopping, if you only buy a few products skip the shopping bag. For larger purchases, bring your own. Learn about pollution caused by plastics. Junk Mail For ideas on how to stop junk mail at work and home, check out. Waste Free Lunches Pack a Waste Free Lunch whenever possible. Mug to Go Carry a mug with you wherever you go for take out beverages. Think further than your own ass and you might see. Think a site like Imgur, if youve ever visited. They got plenty of funny GIFs that are nevertheless. Moving through areas of a hotel where water consumption is likely to be highest, here are some ways in which you can change your operational water use. Address Early Consumption Habits New American Dream offers tips for protecting your children from intrusive and harmful advertising that promotes mindless consumption. Encourage Hotels to Reduce Waste When staying at a hotel, motel, or bed and breakfast let the management know that you like to support businesses that adopt environmentally responsible practices including reducing waste. Give hotels a link to Environmental Solutions for Green Hotels. To locate environmentally friendly hotels, go to Trip. Advisor when searching, select Green from the Style menu option andor the Green Hotels Association. Second Reuse. The media has done a wonderful job of selling us on the attractiveness and benefits of buying new, improved, special, etc. However, we already collectively own so much that we could all survive for quite a while on the existing products if we just reused them a few timesGarage Sales Shop at and hold garage sales this is a great way to reuse products. Reusables Switch from disposable to reusable products food and beverage containers, cups, plates, writing pens, razors, diapers, towels, shopping bags, etc. Donations Donate and buy used. Dress for Successcomputer equipmentcell phones, cameras, i. PodMP3 Players, laptops, PDAs to Recycling for Charitiescell phones and ink cartridges to Cure Recycling profits from reuse of items support the CURE Childhood Cancer organization. Free postage. Another place to donate cell phones is Collective Good. One organization Habitat for Humanityeyeglasses to Lions Club, For Eyes, Pearle, or Lenscraftersextra hangers to your local dry cleanersart materials to a school or cultural organization unwanted boxedbaggedcanned food to homeless shelters, food banks, or soup kitchens etc. BuySell Used Items Buy and sell your items on sites such as. Freecycle The Freecycle Network provides an online community tool for giving and receiving free stuff. Collaborative Communities learn about the collaborative movement in communities around the world. Share thingloop facilitates sharing our belongings with each other. Throwplace Throwplace. Community Swap Organize a community swap program i. Fixers Collective Create or join a fixers collective in your community to get together once a month or so to help each other repair broken appliances and other household items. Packing Peanuts Drop off at a local packing, shipping or moving store. Wash and Reuse Plastic Bags With either a wooden bag dryer or in the washing machine. Better yet, replace them with reusable glass, ceramic or metal storage containers. Buy Durables Buy products that will last and take care of them. Teach Thrift Teach your children the value of being thrifty the wise economy in the management of money and other resources frugality. Frugal Printing Use both sides of each piece of paper for note taking or printing documents from your computer at home or work. Create note pads by stapling together once used paper. Kitchen Reusables Instead of buying these items new, save and reuse all paper bags, rubber bands, twisties, boxes, and packaging material.