Guest Post: 9 Top Tips For A Greener Lifestyle

Do you want to live a greener life? If so, you're not alone. Millions of people are starting to actively seek ways to minimise their carbon footprint and conserve resources. Living a greener lifestyle helps everyone, from your family right through to the wider world. Individual actions may be small but together they combine to create real impact. So if you're looking for inspiration on living a greener lifestyle, here are some tips.

Recycle
Households throw away millions of tons of rubbish each year, most of which heads straight to landfills. Taking the time to separate recyclable materials, such as paper and cans, from everyday household waste will significantly reduce the amount of rubbish you produce.

Composting
Making your own compost is a really easy way to make use of food waste such as vegetable peelings, coffee grounds and eggshells. Compost will help the plants in your garden to thrive and it is completely natural. Unlike commercial fertilizers, compost contains no petroleum-based compounds, so isn’t harmful to the environment.

Grow Your Own
With all that compost for your garden, why not try growing your own food? The process of growing your own fruit and vegetables is not only a great way to reduce your carbon footprint, it’s also incredibly satisfying. There’s nothing better than tucking into a freshly picked salad that you’ve grown yourself! Even a small patio can accommodate grow bags of peppers and courgettes, trailing hanging baskets of cherry tomatoes and window boxes of herbs. You'll vastly cut your carbon footprint, as supermarket freighted foods often clock up thousands of food miles, adding to global warming.

Shop Locally
When you do need to buy food, shop locally at farmer's markets. This supports your local economy and reduces fuel costs and carbon emissions. It also makes food shopping fun. Think about the open-air markets of mainland Europe and you'll get a sense of how enjoyable seasonal food shopping can be. Local markets also use far less packaging than supermarkets, so you'll pay less and produce less waste.

Re-use
Plastic carrier bags are often discarded as soon as we unpack our shopping, but they can take over 100 hundred years to break down. Instead, aim to reuse these carrier bags you already have, or alternatively, invest in a couple of stronger canvas shopping bags, which can accommodate a lot of groceries and won’t break after a few uses.

Volunteering
There are plenty of organisations desperately seeking help and support from volunteers. The number of jobs in the green sector is growing, with alternative energy and wind jobs on offer, as well as roles in education, organic farming and biofuels. Volunteering in the green sector can also line you up for a future career. Being green involves more than simply reducing carbon outputs and becoming more environmentally conscious. It means embracing community and playing an active part in the place that you live. Volunteering can be a powerful way to achieve this.

Water
Reducing your water waste is one of the biggest ways you can live a greener lifestyle and there are so many ways you can do this. Simply boiling just the amount of water you need when making tea or cooking vegetables, rather than filling the whole kettle, can make a huge difference to the amount of water and energy you waste on a daily basis.

Another very simple way of saving water is making sure that the top is off while brushing your teeth. If every household in England and Wales did this every day, it could save enough water to supply nearly half a million homes.

Cleaning
A lot of cleaning products contain toxic chemicals and bleaching agents which, once rinsed away down the plughole, can be extremely harmful to plants and aquatic life. Instead, try using environmentally friendly Ecover products, or even make your own cleaning substances from bicarbonate of soda and lemon.

Home Furniture and Appliances
When you need to replace an appliance, opt for an A-rated model. These are the most energy-efficient appliances as they are designed to use less electricity. Some old appliances, such as fridges, contain CFCs, which are a major contributor to the hole in the ozone layer. When purchasing wooden furniture, such as tables and chairs, look out for items which feature the Forest Stewardship Council logo, which shows that wood has been sourced through sustainable forestry.

There are so many ways to be green and these are just a few. Even the smallest of changes, such as using less water and recycling, can make a big impact in the long run; if we all made these changes, think how much of a difference it would make!

This guest post was written by Francesca, a freelance writer and blogger who enjoys sharing her knowledge about a variety of subjects, from green living and environmental issues, to travel and food. She currently writes on behalf of En-spiral.

Guest Post: Insulating the Home Infographic & Going Green at Home

This infographic by Hillarys illustrates the way that every little step we make can all add up. This is often something many people neglect to think about, but it’s actually very similar to the idea that if everyone in the world gave you a penny, you would be a very rich person.

Here are a few more steps you can take to going green:

1. A lot of heat is lost through windows and doors, so if you don’t have double glazing, opt for some insulating honeycomb or cellular blinds; their honeycomb structure traps air, and keeps rooms warm in the winter and cool in the summer. These blinds are specifically designed to keep heat in a room – just make sure you keep them open while the sun is shining to let it warm the room, and close them before it gets dark so the heat can’t escape!


2. Try and cut your water consumption down by taking baths instead of showers; making them as short as possible. Little things like turning the tap off when brushing teeth or doing dishes can add up and make a difference too, but the simplest way to save water by far is to put a “water saver” in your toilet cistern. You’ll use up to half a gallon less water per flush. Water companies will usually provide you with a water saver if you ask, but if not, an unused brick or a plastic container with a lid, filled with stones or gravel, will do the same job.


3. Switch to energy efficient light bulbs. Standard light bulbs have just gone out of production (in the EU at least), so this is about to get far easier! They might be slightly more expensive, but they more than pay for themselves over their lifetime in terms of energy costs. Basics such as turning off lights and appliances when they are not in use, and not leaving things on standby or unused chargers plugged in can all make a massive difference also.


4. Recycle or re-use left-over packaging and containers whenever you can. Try to avoid buying excessively packaged goods in the first place. Use a lunchbox instead of buying pre-packing sandwiches or wrapping everything up in disposable cling-film. And if possible, bring your own mug and coffee to work to avoid endless plastic and paper cups.


5. Keeping the heating on a low setting (if it’s on at all) can go a long way to saving energy and money, and doing the same with the hot-water thermostat on your boiler is a lesser-known way of reducing your energy consumption. Having the hot water temperature anywhere above 140F is a waste of energy as your boiler has to work harder to keep it hot, and turning it down means your baths and showers will be a far more pleasant temperature.

Thomas Edward Milson is a UK blogger with a keen interest in green issues. He’s currently blogging on behalf of Hillary’s Blinds, who specialise in Custom made, energy saving Vertical Blinds.

Guest Post: 5 Money Savings Tips For Eco-Friendly Homes

If saving money came naturally, we’d probably all be rich. Unfortunately, keeping the pennies in the bank is something most Mom’s and Dad’s struggle with. People often assume that saving money requires big changes and a lot of effort but in reality, that’s just not true! Making a few small changes around the home can have a noticeable impact on your bank account while doing great things for the environment at the same time. These five tips are quick and easy but make a big difference when it comes to cutting costs and living green.

Master the 30 Day Rule

The premise of the 30 day rule is simple – if you don’t absolutely need it, sleep on your decision to make the purchase for 30 days before taking the plunge. Abiding by this rule will keep you from purchasing products that you don’t need and make the things you do end up purchasing that much more significant. You’ll be amazed at how quickly something you absolutely need will become something you can definitely live without.

Avoid Brand-Name Household Cleaners

There is absolutely no need to spend money on expensive brand name cleaners, everything you need to get your house spick and span is already hiding around your home.

• Regular old white vinegar is the superhero of everyday cleaners – it keeps your drains clog free, your floors clean, clothes soft and coffee pot clear.
• Bathtub needing a good scrub? Grab some baking soda and get to work. It’s just as effective as any brand name abrasive cleaner and it’s completely environmentally friendly!
• Before tossing the newspaper in the bin, use it to clean your windows. Spray a bit of vinegar on a handful and start wiping for quick and easy streak-free clean.
• Tea tree oil is a natural disinfectant - mix it with some vinegar, vanilla oil and water for a fresh smelling disinfectant spray.

Cathy from Organized by Cathy has even more great tips for
green cleaning using household products!

Reuse And Recycle

One sure-fire way to save money is to try and reuse items you already have instead of purchasing something new. There are lots of really useful things you can make out of household items that might otherwise be garbage. As kids head back to school you might find that one of your biggest expenses is supplies. Before heading to the local office supplies store, take a look around the home first.

• Old pencil cases can be reused by covering with fabric scraps, which covers holes and gives them a whole new look.
• Create your own dry erase board using an old picture from or piece of mirrored glass.
• Cover empty coffee tins with construction paper or fabric and use them to organize pencils, pens, rulers, etc.
• Don’t waste money on expensive designed pencils; cover the ones you already have with scraps of cool paper or magazines using a little bit of clear glue or mod podge.

DIY Repairs

Instead of calling in the repairman or even worse, throwing something out, make a commitment to repair your household items on your own. You’d be surprised how easy it is to fix things on your own, especially with a little bit of help from the internet. Sites like PartSelect are geared towards DIY appliance repair and walk homeowners through the diagnoses, testing and actual repair of their fridges, stoves and dryers, to name only a few. On average, a repairman charges anywhere between $60 - $75 just to walk in your front door; purchasing the part on your own can cost less than $20 and require only a few minutes to fix.

The next time your washer breaks or your sink starts to leaking, do some research to find out whether you can solve the problem on your own.

Use Less Energy

Using less energy is not only good for your wallet, it’s good for the environment too. Cutting back isn’t as tough as you might think either, a few small changes can have a big impact on your energy bills. Here are a few quick and easy ways to make a difference:

• Close the curtains, especially when it’s warm. The sun might be beautiful but it’s also hot; keep it out of the rooms you use the most so that your air conditioner doesn’t have to work overtime.
• Unplug things that aren’t in use, like toasters, radios, extra tv’s, fridges and computers. As convenient as it may be to have your mini-oven at a ready state all the time, as long as it’s plugged in it’s using energy.
• Spend a few extra dollars and purchase energy efficient light bulbs – they’re brighter, last forever and use 75% less energy than generic incandescent bulbs.
• Drafty homes cost more money, it’s as simple as that. Seal all cracks and leaks to save money on your home heating bill.
• There’s no need to wash your clothes in hot water, cold will do just fine. Although you can purchase detergents specific to cold water washing, they’re really not necessary – regular Tide (or whatever your favored brand is) will do the trick.

This is a guest post by Jessi who writes about everything from living green to DIY home repair! She is from PartSelect.com, DIY repair resource and distributor of GE Appliance Parts.

Guest Post: Reuse, Repurpose: Practical Plastic Bag Recycling Ideas

When we hear the word ‘recycle’, we tend to think about the huge picture: collecting and sorting discarded plastics and other materials and depositing them at the curb to be picked up by recycling facilities so these can be used to create new products. While this is a process we’re not directly part of, recycling is actually something we can do in our daily lives. ‘Recycling’ is the process of taking used materials and making them into new products, thus reducing the consumption of virgin raw materials and resources, and minimizing pollution. Plastic products are pretty much the easiest things to recycle, and with plastic bags being used with pretty much everything every day, it’d be silly not to even think about recycling them. Here are a few handy and even fun ideas on how to recycle and remake used plastic bags into new things and for new uses:

• Trash can liners – This is the easiest way to recycle plastic bags. By reusing these bags as trash can liners, you don’t only help lessen plastic pollutions in landfills and bodies of water; you also manage to cut down on household costs. You can take care of the trash without having to buy new plastic garbage bags.
• Dropcloths and covers – You could pull up old sheets of plastic and even garbage bags to use as dropcloths when painting or renovating to avoid damage to the floor, the furniture, and other items. You could also repurpose old plastic bags to cover your barbecue grill or any other item that needs to go to storage to keep the dust and pests away.
• Craft ‘new’ household items – You can use used plastic and garbage bags in an assortment of craft projects and other items. Strips of the bags can be coiled, knitted, pleated, or even stitched into baskets, rugs, and mats. You can even fashion a small bit of knitted plastic into a durable and effective scouring pad for cleaning around the house.

Of course, when recycling plastic items, you must remember to properly clean the used products beforehand. You could also choose to use plastic products made of recycled content. Plastic Place offers a special line of plastic garbage bags that are not only sturdy and lightweight, but are designed with an anti-microbial protection called Microban® to fight germs, odors, mold, and mildew. This anti-microbial guard is designed never to wear off, and thus recycling Plastic Place garbage bags is easier and more sanitary.

You can explore even more plastic bag recycling options available, or maybe come up with your own! You’ll not only help lessen the massive amount of plastic pollution, but you’ll also have inexpensive yet effective alternatives for other everyday items.

Guest Post: Ways to Reuse that Plastic Bottle

In an effort to dump less plastic in our trash sites, we may be considering putting our empty water bottles to use, but even then there is much controversy surrounding the issue. There are those who shout about the dangers and then those who say it is just hysteria, but everyone agrees that a reused bottle can contain bacteria if not properly sanitized. In a nutshell; one should be concerned with the buildup of bacteria within the bottle and with the possibility of the toxins in the plastic leeching out.

The mouth of the bottle contains a very small opening which makes reusing it for drinking purposes risky as bacteria can build up and is very hard to remove. Bacteria are invisible to the naked eye, so what you don’t know and can’t see, can harm you.

Secondly heat and chemicals (the same ones you may want to use to clean your container) can cause toxins to leach out of the plastic contaminating the substances held within the bottle. Another consideration is the grade of plastic. Several different grades are offered, each one posing its own risk.

Because of the risk posed by plastic, it is labeled. Most water bottles are a number 1which means they are only designed to be used once. Safer numbers are 2 HDPE meaning high density polyethylene, 4 LDPE or low density polyethylene or 5 PP (polypropylene). Number 3 bottles contain polyvinyl chloride/PVC which is capable of leaching hormone disrupting chemicals into the contents of the bottle, and dangerous carcinogens into the air we breathe when incinerated. There are also questions regarding number 6 bottles created out of polystyrene which has been shown to leach styrene thought to be a cancer causing substance.

This said there are some uses which do not involve human consumption such as:

• Pencil and pen holder. Cut the top off with scissors and use for your writing tools.
• Use the top from the previous one as a funnel to make stress balls out of water balloons and flour.
• Cut them down to about two or three inches tall and use to sort your socks or panty hose in your drawer.
• With scissors create a small hole about two inches from the top and an identical one across from it to insert a dowel in creating a bird feeder. Make a small opening on both sides for the birds to get their seed from. Tie to a tree and watch the birds feed.
• Cut the bottom out of a bottle and make a pet food scoop.
• Stick tacks in the top of one, fill with water ¾ of the way up and use to sprinkle your clothes before ironing.
• Use two stiff bottles to help maintain the shape of your boots.
• Use one to hold knitting needles and crochet hooks.
• Place one in the freezer to put in your cooler when going on a picnic to keep food cold.
• Use it for an emergency ice pack for bruises.
• Cut the top off and use it to stuff shopping bags in for when you go warehouse shopping. Place it in the pocket behind your car seat so you won’t have to buy bags when you bargain shop at the local warehouses.
• Cut the bottom off the bottle. Dig a hole in the soil near your favorite plant and fit the bottle into the soil and fill it with water from the now open bottom.

Marina Chernyak is co-owner of 1001Shops, an online store of specialty products like cheval mirrors, nesting doll, modern tables and lot more.