5 Easy Ways To Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
We all want to go green and be energy-conscious, but it seems like an enormous undertaking. Not everyone can install solar panels on their roof, or get all their energy from a private wind farm. Instead of worrying about everything you can’t do, look on the solar-powered bright side for what you can. Follow these five easy tips, and you’ll be reducing your carbon footprint before you can say “hydroelectric power station.”
Let My Adapters Go
You know to shut off your lights when you leave a room, but did you unplug your electronic devices? Even if your phone charger, stereo, cable box, or other gadgets are off, if they’re plugged in, they’re still using energy. And if you're someone who always leaves a charger in the socket, you’re eating up both environment and your bank account. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can save up to $100 each year on your energy bill by remembering to unplug major power users.
C’mon. Change Your Lightbulbs Already
Okay, this trick you may have already known. But once you get to the hardware store, it’s easy to forget which type is the real deal energy saver and which slapped a green leaf on the box. Two particularly effective and energy-efficient bulbs are the GE Bright From the Start White Hybrid and the Phillips’ Energy Saver Mini Twister. Pop either one into your lamps or overhead lights, and you could reduce up to 1,300 pounds of carbon dioxide pollution as it runs.
GE Bright From The Start White Hybrid Halogen-CFL 15W ($12.44 for two bulbs)
Mac or PC, Get a Laptop
You can now add “energy-efficient” to the pros of having a laptop, alongside “outside Internet surfing” and “having a reason to talk to the cute barista.” According to Energy Star, a laptop can be up to 80% more efficient than a desktop. And that makes sense. A desktop must be constantly plugged into the wall (which we know is a problem from tip #1). And a laptop comes equipped with energy-efficient LCD screens, hard drives, and adaptors, all better for the planet.
If The Bag is Black, It Won’t Grow Back.
Every little bit counts when it comes to reducing your carbon footprint, even the color of your garbage bags. So when you’re at the store picking up garbage bags, don’t go for the black ones. Because of the black dye, those bags can’t be recycled and go straight to the dump. Pick up white trash bags, and motivate yourself to live only with a compost basket.
Print Is Dying, But Can’t Be Composted
If you haven’t already, unsubscribe to your daily newspaper! By getting all your news via the Internet , you’re cutting down on paper-printing cost and reducing waste from ink cartridges. The best part: you’re staying informed, and that’s the best way to cut down on your carbon footprint.
