Top ten ways to go green
Patrick Gardner
Issue date: 10/27/08 Section: Op-Ed
As we progress through Autumn, change is all around us. The leaves on the trees have changed from green to vibrant colors of red, orange, yellow, and brown. The morning frost has begun to appear on once green fields in the morning. While nature undergoes its annual change, there is change in society as well.
The presidential election is but a few weeks away, and regardless of who wins, change is upon us. It is now our turn as students to undergo change. Unlike the leaves, it will not come to us. We must make a mindful effort to change. Some changes are easy and quick, while some require a daily dedication. We have provided you with some alternatives to make your rooms a little more "green." Not only are these changes environmentally friendly, but they save money and provide you with a healthier lifestyle. By following these 10 simple steps, you will be on your way to a better lifestyle!
1. Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent alternatives. The compact fluorescent light bulbs not only save energy, but they are also less of a fire hazard.
2. Use non-Bisphenol-A Nalgene bottles instead of disposable ones, and fill them with Brita filtered water. Bottled water causes so much waste. Filtered tap water costs 1,900 times less then bottled water and is no-less healthy.
3. Buy reusable cloth grocery bags! They can be used for a variety of purposes, not just your grocery shopping. At around $1 a bag, they will help rid us of the waste produced by using plastic alteratives
4. Invest in power strips and plug all of your electronics into them. Whether you're using them or not, your electric appliances are consuming energy. When you're not in the room, simply turn off the power strip! Electricity vampires be gone!
5. Use environmentally friendly detergents for your clothes, and wash using the cold and warm settings. There are tons of websites online with lists and guides on which products are best. For bonus points hang dry your clothes, towels, pillow cases, and anything else for which you have room. They smell better too!
The presidential election is but a few weeks away, and regardless of who wins, change is upon us. It is now our turn as students to undergo change. Unlike the leaves, it will not come to us. We must make a mindful effort to change. Some changes are easy and quick, while some require a daily dedication. We have provided you with some alternatives to make your rooms a little more "green." Not only are these changes environmentally friendly, but they save money and provide you with a healthier lifestyle. By following these 10 simple steps, you will be on your way to a better lifestyle!
1. Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent alternatives. The compact fluorescent light bulbs not only save energy, but they are also less of a fire hazard.
2. Use non-Bisphenol-A Nalgene bottles instead of disposable ones, and fill them with Brita filtered water. Bottled water causes so much waste. Filtered tap water costs 1,900 times less then bottled water and is no-less healthy.
3. Buy reusable cloth grocery bags! They can be used for a variety of purposes, not just your grocery shopping. At around $1 a bag, they will help rid us of the waste produced by using plastic alteratives
4. Invest in power strips and plug all of your electronics into them. Whether you're using them or not, your electric appliances are consuming energy. When you're not in the room, simply turn off the power strip! Electricity vampires be gone!
5. Use environmentally friendly detergents for your clothes, and wash using the cold and warm settings. There are tons of websites online with lists and guides on which products are best. For bonus points hang dry your clothes, towels, pillow cases, and anything else for which you have room. They smell better too!
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Beth Terry
posted 10/27/08 @ 7:10 PM EST
It's great to switch from bottled water to filtered tap water. But don't forget that the plastic filter cartridges are also not recyclable.
First, have your water tested to see if you even need to be filtering your water in the first place. (Continued…)
seifai
posted 4/04/10 @ 3:51 PM EST
Indeed an informative article.
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