Top 10 Ways to Be Green

Posted by LIME Team on February 11, 2007 - 4:30am.

Tip #4: Choose Products with Less Packaging

Think of the layers of armor that separate you from a new consumer good. The precious cargo is placed inside a pouch inside a plastic exoskeleton inside a paper sleeve, then bagged for easy transport. Sounds cute for Russian dolls. But for a stick of gum or a fresh razor blade, it's infuriating, time-consuming, and a waste of resources. With so many similar products crowding store aisles, try choosing one that sports less packaging. (You'll find that companies that give careful thought to packaging waste are probably considerate of, say, pesticide-free agriculture or humane working conditions, too.) Don't have time to comparison-shop? Simply buying product refills can assuage your conscience, and save a few cents. Bring your canvas tote to the grocery store to get everything home. Think similarly for restaurants: that pile of plates, napkins, plastic utensils and condiments could easily be spared by making your takeout eat-in.

TOP TEN WAYS TO BE GREEN

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I need to start doing this more often

by Chris on September 8, 2006 - 3:45pm

Cell phone chargers

by Hans_G on September 8, 2006 - 4:09pm

The chargers for cellphones and iPods (I think) are big culprits as well. Unplug 'em!

Yep...

by Chris on September 8, 2006 - 4:53pm

That's where I must admit....I am guilty.

great tip

by Anonymous on September 11, 2006 - 2:23pm

i so happy to see these tips here. keep spreading the word!

~Arcadia

But I thought...

by JimmyJames on September 11, 2006 - 2:43pm

I thought I read that it takes more energy to shut down and start up your computer each day than it does to let it sit idle. Fact or Fiction?

Thought so too.

by madamerebellion on April 4, 2007 - 11:52am

Actually I have my doubts about that too, and I've been reading up on it and I keep getting good arguements defending each theory. But I'm guessing that it's better for the computer to get some rest every once in a while to save on the wear and tear of the motors and CRT.

There's a fairly interesting discussion (on the comments below) regarding shutting down or leaving it on idle. The original post is for mac users but the comments are more general.

http://www.macsimumnews.com/index.php/archive/macbasics_leave_your_mac_on_or_shut_it_down

lizziedidnt

by Anonymous on September 11, 2006 - 9:00pm

Been doin' most of this for years. How about an eco-cooperative lending association to help al members buy on-demand water heaters and solar cookers?

just a question

by peabody on September 19, 2006 - 8:22pm

alot of my things are on a power stip, can i just turn that off?

Switch it off !!!!!

by trinity8 on March 6, 2007 - 5:01am

I turn everything off when not in use. That includes my mobile at night. I have just read that the electricity being used by leaving TV's on standby could supply a whole city. That's enough to make you think!!!

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How about those chargers?

by Statuesqueone on April 26, 2007 - 11:23pm

I read recently that phone chargers use electricity just by being plugged in when not charging the phone. I wonder if this is true? Does anyone know of a web site that might have this info?

Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs

by bgalbertson on April 27, 2007 - 3:31am

Why is it that every article I read that touts the energy savings of compact fluorescent light bulbs fails to mention that they contain mercury?

Less energy = less polution (at least until these bulbs reach a landfill)

Mercury....

by Fraser on April 28, 2007 - 10:38pm

In the grand scheme of things it doesnt seem disasterous that a small amount of mercury may hit the landfills considering the combined weight of all the benefits of using fluorescent bulbs. I would suspect that a remedy is in the works.

On another note, I recently bought a Sony alarm clock and was pleasantly surprised to find that the "unplug feature" was incorporated into the device. It's a smart little gadget that never needs to be reset - just plug it back in at bedtime and all settings, including current time are restored.

Proper disposal??

by NewfGirl on August 6, 2007 - 2:26pm

I was wondering the same thing, as recently one of my CFL bulbs went out. I was wondering, though, does anyone know if the mercury that is absorbed when these bulbs "die" can be reclaimed and recycled? I know my community lists them as items they accept at "Earth Day" collections and I was wondering if they somehow recycled the mercury to avoid it ever reaching the landfills...couldn't find anything on-line yet so I was wondering if anyone knew what happens to the ones that they accepted. Hopefully it's better than just tossing them in the trash.

I had replaced virtually all bulbs with CFL's years ago - the one that went out was 9 years old!

Disposal

by cbsunshine on August 27, 2007 - 2:46pm

If you go to www.earth911.org they will give you resources to recyle the light bulbs. I think that the light bulb companies should tell you on the packaging as well. Otherwise people do not know.

As charged...

by Ferin on April 29, 2007 - 2:47am

Yep. I also, admit that I'm guilty of this one. =/

I should turn this into a habit.

Being lazy.

by enigma_v on May 14, 2007 - 6:41pm

Well if this counts for anything lately I've been getting into solar products. I even have my very own solar cellphone charger in my car, neato.

I've been struggling with the whole unplugging and plugging game though, I enjoy coming back from work and just instantly dive for the sofa (as childish as it may seem) and lazily reach for the control to turn on the tv... so reaching all the way to the back of my tv set to plug it back in might get in the way of this but that's just a bad habit I have to get rid of anyway, regardless.

wow...

by fluxcapasitor on May 28, 2007 - 12:37pm

i've been trying to turn stuff off before i go to sleep... now after reading this it just seems alot easier to do so. Thanks

Love it!

by esintrich on June 2, 2007 - 8:56am

This is a really great green list! I'm passing it on to everyone I know.

phantom load & significant savings on your energy bill

by equita on July 10, 2007 - 5:14pm

Its true, turning off your appliances and electronic devices doesn't stop them from sucking up energy. The only way to avoid the "phantom load" is by unplugging or using power strips which should be turned off after use. The Christian Science Monitor has a great article addressing the energy "vampire" and other easy ways to conserve energy and cut down on your utility bills:http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/1130/p13s01-sten.html

by madamerebellion on July 11, 2007 - 6:16pm

I've been taking time to unplug the electronic appliances in my home and I've trained myself enough to make this a daily and almost necessary routine. I've noticed a somewhat small difference in my electrical bill. Small steps and we'll eventually get there though.

Recycling more

by Ecobabe on July 21, 2007 - 2:01pm

Starting to recycle more and more, especially at work. For some reason I just noticed the big blue recepticles where I work, I've been there 6 years now, duh! Unfortunately they are only for paper and cardboard but I feel so much better recylcing all of the empty boxes I generate than just throwing them away. All of my paper goes in there as well. And I take my plastic waste home to recycle.

Getting greener every day (I hope!)

love environment

by kurimao on August 11, 2007 - 1:58am

As a car owner, I always follow the regulation by the board to always check or even install my eagle catalytic converter on my car. I think that is one thing of being green. Environment lover.

Awesome wikis on this stuff

by greengreenerson on April 28, 2008 - 1:21pm

Let's not forget LEDs in place of CFLs if mercury is a big concern. They're definitely more expensive at the moment, but they last FOREVER and don't contain any mercury.

Also, if anyone has additional tips like these, I started contributing to a few wikis on a green product review site:

One on vampire power (#1 on this list):

http://greenhome.huddler.com/wiki/how-to-reduce-vampire-power

There are literally hundreds of cool articles...I've contributed to about 10 thus far...pretty cool to be a published author :) haha.

Cellphone Makers....

by PhilipF on March 4, 2009 - 3:37am

Leading cell phone makers had good news for anyone with a drawer or cupboard full of old phone chargers on the industry plans to standardize the device to make a one-size-fits-all. There is a growing contingent of people that recommend a move to a one-size-fits-all cell phone charger, of the mini-USB cable variety. For less than the amount of a payday loan, consumers could cut down the hassle considerably. A move to a universal charging appliance would be a deft one, as it would certainly make things easier. This way, you won’t have to get a....

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(for your international

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(for your international companions who couldn't handle the Panforte).

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Its amazing how by leaving

by buyacaiberry on September 11, 2009 - 4:55pm

Its amazing how by leaving things on standby, or even switched on at the wall, still uses a lot of current and hence wastes resources!

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Pool equipment Queensland

by michael00 on October 12, 2009 - 7:43am

How much energy can an electric motor produce when it isplugged into a 110 V outlet with a total charge of 50?

http://www.poolsideshop.com.au/

An Act of Green

by jeffersonptr on November 13, 2009 - 4:37am

An Act of Green is an opportunity to help the environment. It's you reducing your greenhouse gas emissions. It's your contribution to fighting global warming. It may be something simple like changing your light bulbs - swapping out the old ones for the new twirly ones - or it could be something big like building a windmill to help power your home. Either way, it's up to you. It's about bringing people together to help the environment. It's about reaching One Million Acts of Green, one act at time.

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Replaced Incandescent lamps with Full Spectrum light bulbs

by andymoles on November 13, 2009 - 5:39am

Great tips! I've become more concerned about going green lately, and has taken small steps towards that like replacing all my incandescent lamps at home with full spectrum lamps from www.viva-lite.com. I believe full spectrum lamps provide a better and natural light than incandescent lamps, and also reduce your energy bills.