Comments on: 5 Easy Things to do This Earth Day and Every Day

By: Bargain babe

Bargain babe — Tue, 05 May 2009 18:52:43 +0000

My sister no longer flushes her toilet! She puts a bucket under her shower faucet and collects the water while it gets hot. Then she dumps the water from the bucket into the toilet bowl (not the tank) to activate the toilet’s siphon, which flushes down the waste.

I’ve started using her technique and feel great about finding a use for water that is otherwise wasted.

By: Curious Cat Investing Blog

Curious Cat Investing Blog — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 15:07:33 +0000

Yat for me, I do all of those. They are mainly more convenient and save money. Sometimes I forget the reusable bags (so in that sense it might not be more convenient, but they are more convenient in the sense they are easier to carry). Rechargeable batteries (I mainly use them for my camera) take a bit more planning but save a great deal of money and the environment. Another green, and money saving, strategy is just don't buy so much stuff. Many people seem addicted to buying when the purchase doesn't fill any need (other than maybe psychological).

By: Ryan

Ryan — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 02:11:21 +0000

Theresa: Thanks for the info on recycling rechargeable batteries. Definitely useful info! Many recycling locations will also accept regular batteries to ensure they are disposed of properly. Now to convince people it is worth their time…

By: Kristy @ Master Your Card

Kristy @ Master Your Card — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:54:00 +0000

The only thing I don’t do is the reusable bags for groceries and that’s only because I have cats and haven’t figured out a green way to keep their litter box…especially since they’re picky as hell anyway. It’s extremely frustrating!

I just wanted to add one small thing to your list, turn off the lights in the room if you’re not going to be in there. For some reason, this seems to be a difficult thing for people to grasp. I had some friends over recently and they’d meander through the place, leaving lights on as they went. It’s ridiculous that you can’t just flip the switch when you pass it. In doing so, you’re conserving energy AND saving yourself some money on the electric bill. Yay!

By: Theresa

Theresa — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:34:31 +0000

Rechargeable batteries can be 100% recycled through http://www.call2recycle.org. Type in your zip code to find convenient drop off locations in your neighborhood. There are thousands of participating retailers in this free, non profit public service program in the U.S. and Canada.

In addition to rechargeable batteries that replace disposable alkaline batteries, consider all the cordless electronics you use daily and can’t live without that are powered only by rechargeable batteries. Electronics such as laptops, cell phones, mp3 players, camcorders, digital cameras, power tools, two-way radios, electric toothbrushes, electric razors, just to name a few…

By: Ryan

Ryan — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 14:59:56 +0000

MoneyEnergy: I do the same thing with plastic bags from quick trips into stores or when I forget the reusable bags. But overall, I prefer reusable bags.

By: MoneyEnergy

MoneyEnergy — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 14:43:15 +0000

I have some reusable shopping bags, but whenever I get plastic bags, I also end up using those again, too – as garbage bags so that I’m not buying brand new plastic just for that. I use the plastic bags for lots of other things, too. And plastic cups and jugs that you get from shopping in bulk – these are great for using instead of tupperware.

By: Kristen

Kristen — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:40:45 +0000

I also love the reusable shopping bags. I have the plain bags and the insulated bags for cold foods. Not only do they hold more, but they’re much easier to carry. Plus they are great to have on hand if you’re going somewhere like a picnic and have to transport food. (I still have to get some plastic bags for cleaning out the kitty litter!)

I haven’t switched over to the reusable water bottles yet, though I really should. I have reduced my plastic consumption. I now start out with one bottle from home in the morning (our tap water isn’t great), and then I refill it all day long with the filtered water at work.