Are you looking for ways your family can make a difference and help protect the planet? Even small changes to your lifestyle can have a positive impact in your home, yard, and community. Implementing some changes will take longer than others, but there are plenty of things you can do that will take an hour or less, plus you can get your kids involved. Here are five simple ideas to get you started.
Switch your lighting
Compact Fluorescent Bulbs, or CFLs, have been an important conservation choice for nearly a decade. The price has come down significantly in recent years and switching to CFLs has saved home-owners hundreds of dollars of the course of a year. LEDs are a relative newcomer to the energy-saving lighting market. Although LEDs are expensive, they last two to five times longer than CFLs, and offer excellent color, output, and ambiance. Either of these choices will save you money and reduce your family’s draw on industrialized power sources.
Make your own green cleaners
The chemical cleaning industry is well-known for polluting the world’s groundwater with toxic chemicals. These chemicals are often not regulated and can be dangerous if not used properly. What the industry doesn’t want you to know, is that many home-made cleaners work as well as, or better, than their chemical laden counterparts. Recipes using baking soda, lemon juice, vinegar, and other natural ingredients are abundant. Kids will love to help you whip up a batch of laundry or dish soap, and will learn a lot in the process.
Eat organic
Organic vegetables, meats, and dairy products are now available in almost every supermarket. These foods are grown without the use of synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, making them a healthier choice for your family and the planet. If you want to take this step even further, consider planting a vegetable garden. Kids who help grow the family’s food are much less likely to be picky eaters, and you will feel good knowing exactly where your food is coming from. It doesn’t take long to get a family garden set up, and during the spring, summer, and fall months, you can work on it for a few minutes every day to keep it thriving.
Spend less time in the car
Cars pour thousands of pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year, contributing to rising temperatures and increased pollution. Save gas and the planet by carpooling, using public transportation, walking, or biking. Less time in the car means more time with your family. Get your kids in the habit of walking places, or using alternate transportation. Once your family gets used to the idea that you don’t have to take the car everywhere, it’ll be much easier to cut down on your car use. Plus, you’ll save money on gas!
Recycle
Many municipalities offer recycling programs to their residents free of charge. Reduce your landfill contribution by recycling plastic food containers, tin cans, and glass bottles. Scrap metal can be recycled in many locations, and some recycling centers will even pay your for your old scrap metal! Many centers also accept appliances, tires, televisions, and computers. Old clothing, linens, and toys can be donated to thrift stores, or even sold in tag sales. Be creative and think before you throw something away.
These easy steps take just minutes each day and contribute to a healthier happier planet. By implementing these ideas with your family, you teach your children that caring for the earth is important and that small steps can make a big difference. These projects will allow you to spend time as a family, and teach your kids good habits for the future when they have their own household and children. Start protecting the planet now, and the effects could be seriously far-reaching. Information about recycling was provided by Powerline Scrap Metal, you can visit their website to get a quote on how much your scrap metal is worth.
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