Earth Day!!!!!!!!

Happy Earth Day!  In celebration of the day/week/month/year, here are some easy steps you can take to make your life a little greener....

1.  Calculate your carbon footprint.  You can use the calculator at the EPA's website here.

2.  Reduce the amount of baths you take.  Showering uses a lot less water.  If you are already shower, try seeing if you can reduce the amount of time you spend in it, even if it is just one minute less.  You can also change your shower heads to low flow.


Via

3.  Try to eat more local, seasonal foods, they don't have to travel so far to get to you, and with almost $4/gallon gas right now it makes a big difference.

4.  Cut down on your chemical cleaners.  I do most of my weekly cleaning with white vinegar.  You can also your vodka to clean, however with little ones around I don't suggest it.



5.  Trash toxic items correctly.  Batteries don't belong in the landfill, you can take them to a number of electronic shops for proper disposal.  Paint should also be handled carefully, contact your trash collector to see if they can pick up toxic items.

6.  Start composting - for more information on this check my post from Monday.

7.  Change out those light bulbs.  And if you leave the room, turn those lights off.

Via


8.  Take your own shopping bag.  I love my LL Bean bags, they hold so much and are very sturdy.

9.  Try gardening.  You can start small with a few pots of herbs that you enjoy or plant a whole garden!

10.  Reduce, Reuse and Recycle



If you want some inspiration on how to live greener check out this article from Sunset Magazine on a family who doesn't have any trash!