Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Angie's List Easy Tips to Live Green

Angie's ListEasy Tips to Live Green A 2007 poll of Angie's List members found 94 percent say the environment is important to them. Three-fourths of poll respondents participate in curbside recycling. Of those, two-thirds pay nothing, while just 2 percent pay $35 or more per year.It would be great to purchase a hybrid car or install solar panels, but we can't all make big changes like that. There are some simple ways to live green. If your community offers curbside recycling, take advantage of it. If not, find the nearest drop-off location.Here are Angie's List 13 unique eco-friendly tips to help make a difference.1. Add blown-in cellulose insulation to your attic to improve your home's heating and cooling. It's made from recycled, formaldehyde-free newsprint. 2. Use a rain barrel to collect water from your roof to water your garden. 3. Buy water-based paints with low volatile organic compound levels (VOC). Basically, the less glossy the paint, the fewer VOC's it contains. 4. Buy minimally packaged goods. Less packaging can reduce your garbage. 5. Check your mulch level. If it's low (fewer than 2 inches) calculate the area you want to cover in square feet and then in depth. Multiply the two numbers, then divide that number by 324. This is the number of cubic yards you'll need to buy. 6. Install an efficient showerhead. This is an excellent way to save money on your water bill. 7. Cut energy consumed by your appliances by buying Energy Star ones (www.energystar.gov). They meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the EPA and U.S. Department of Energy. 8. Use cloth napkins/towels instead of napkins/paper towels. 9. Store food in re-usable containers, instead of plastic wrap or aluminum foil. 10. Reuse plastic bags or buy canvas bags at the grocery store. 11. Join a toy library and give old toys to other families. 12. Don't use electrical appliances for things you can easily do by hand such as opening cans, hanging clothes to dry, etc. 13. Print or copy on both sides of the paper

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