To
make this the year you resolve to improve not only the quality of your
life but also the lives of your fellow dwellers on plant Earth,
consider the following resolutions to ring in a greener New Year.
*
Bring your own reusable bags to the grocery store instead of using the
500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags that are consumed yearly.
* Buy locally made and grown products whenever possible and keep fuel burning delivery trucks off the roads.
*
Avoid buying water in plastic bottles and use refillable containers,
which will help reduce the demand for the 50 billion produced each year.
* Unplug the "phantom" power users throughout the home, such as electronic devices and chargers when not in use.
* Use recycled paper products and reduce the use of other paper items.
* Save gas by driving less, carpooling, reducing driving speed, and checking the tire pressure on your automobile.
*
Use less energy and water by taking shorter showers, only running a
full load of dishes or laundry and hanging clothes outside to dry.
* Only buy products from companies that are environmentally responsible.
*
Use environmentally friendly cleaning products rather than toxic
chemicals and take any unused toxic cleaners to approved recycling
centers.
* Reduce the
amount of energy you use for heating and cooling by turning down the
thermostat in the winter for heating, turning it up in the summer for
air conditioning, checking the refrigerator settings, and cleaning the
condenser coil, turning down the hot water heater and changing the
furnace filter.
* Participate in community programs focusing on the environment and voice concerns to local politicians.
