If it’s good for the environment, it’s good for us. These words are spoken by many people in our communities who are choosing the path to sustainable living, including employers and business owners.
It really doesn’t take much to adapt your habits to “green” ones. Here are some ideas you can try at home with your family. Involve everyone in the decision making. It’s More fun for the kids to take an active role in sustainable living.
• Turn off the water while brushing your teeth. Fill a cup with water and use it instead of running water. This applies to shaving as well. Partially fill the sink bowl to rinse your razor instead of running the water.
• Thinking about repainting your house? If you live in a cold climate, paint your house a dark color. Dark colors reflect as little as 3 percent of sunlight, thus absorbing more heat. If you live in a warm climate, paint your house a light color that will reflect up to 90 percent of sunlight and keep your house cooler.
• Before discarding empty latex paint cans, leave the top off and allow the remaining paint to dry completely. Latex paint is not hazardous once it is solidified.
• Use your microwave. Cooking and reheating with a microwave is faster and more efficient than using the stovetop or oven, thus reducing up to 70 percent of energy use.
• Use a toaster oven for small jobs. It will use a third to half as much energy as a full-size oven.
• Arrange furniture to take advantage of natural light from windows. Place desks and reading chairs next to windows to cut down on the need and use of supplemental, artificial light during the day.
