Earth Day always makes us recommit to eco-friendliness, but I don't think we're alone in saying that many of our grand efforts can be short-lived. Thankfully, even if you're not ready to start compositing or devising an elaborate rainwater catching system, you can still have an impact. Another benefit to being nice to the Earth - green measures are also money savers! Ready, set, go green!
1. Change your light bulbs
What could be easier than swapping out a few bulbs? Choose compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL) to see the biggest change.
"They consume about 75 percent less electricity and last up to 10 times longer," said Better Homes and Gardens. "Replace one 75-watt incandescent bulb with a 25-watt CFL and save up to $83 over the life of the bulb."
2. Recycle
You don't need to lay out some complicated assembly line to dispose of every piece of trash. Start small by setting aside your plastic bottles and glass containers. If you have a recycling bin, use it. And if you live in an area where you can get money back for your recyclables, by all means, take advantage of it.
Recycling glass alone can reduce "related air pollution by 20 percent and related water pollution by 50 percent," said 50 Ways to Help the Planet. "If it isn't recycled it can take a million years to decompose."
3. Ditch the bottled water
Remarkably, close to 90 percent of plastic water bottles are not recycled. A pitcher with a filter can make a huge difference—you can conserve up to five gallons a day with this one little change.
4. Shorten your showers
Every two minutes you save on your shower can conserve more than ten gallons of water. If you live in California or another area being impacted by the drought, this is probably already on your mind. For everyone else, shortening a couple showers a week is a start.
5. Turn off computers at night
"By turning off your computer instead of leaving it in sleep mode, you can save 40 watt-hours per day," said 50 Ways to Help the Planet. "That adds up to 4 cents a day, or $14 per year."
6. Turn off everything with an LED
Why stop at the computer? "Anything that has an LED (light emitting diode) that glows even after you turn it off continues to draw energy," said Better Homes and Gardens. Your TV, cell phone charger, and printer are likely culprits. Unplug the offenders from wall sockets and plug them into power strips instead. When you leave a room, flip the strip switch to cut the flow of electricity. Unplug appliances and electronics that glow and you could save $200 a year."
7. Don't forget about video games
Getting the kids into the habit of flipping the games off when they're done is another easy way to save energy and money.
"You'll win back about $100 per year," said Good Housekeeping.
8. Slash your junk mail
50 Ways to Help the Planet estimates that the average American gets 40 pounds of junk mail per year. That equates to 100 million trees! Take an afternoon and go on an unsubscribing spree. You'll save some trees, some space in your mailbox, and your sanity!
9. Stop paying your bills
It's estimated that almost 20 million trees could be saved every year if Americans paid their bills online and opted to receive e-statements. We would also eliminate more than two billion tons of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, and 1.7 billion pounds of solid waste, said 50 Ways to Help the Planet.
10. Buy some new appliances
Here's one more reason to go get that French door refrigerator you've had your eye on: it could help save the Earth and save you money.
"When it's time to replace a household appliance, choose a product with an Energy Star label," said Better Homes and Gardens. "A household with Energy Star products uses about 30 percent less energy than the average household—an annual savings of about $570. You may even be eligible for a tax credit when you purchase an Energy Star product."
