As environmentally- friendly efforts are finding their way into the mainstream, “green living” techniques in the home and workplace are becoming more popular. But it’s more than just a way to save the environment – it can be a great way to save money. Taking care of your daily schedule, like working, attending school and tending to your family, can make it hard to commit to a green lifestyle. But taking a little time to pay attention to how you use the resources around you can provide ideas to save money in your everyday life.
Around the house
In the kitchen, going green can save you money and keep you healthier. Cooking at home can cut down the cost of eating out, as well as the takeout containers you bring home. Buying produce and other raw foods cuts down on packaging that ends up in landfills. You can also look for products that use recyclable or biodegradable packaging. You can even use some of the items you toss in the trash to upcycle. Milk jugs make great planters for herbs to use in your cooking. Plastic grocery bags can be used for all kinds of craft projects.
For old clothes that aren’t good enough to donate to Goodwill, use them for cleaning rags. It’s easy to ignore, but a great amount of energy gets wasted around the house. You can unplug large appliances and other devices that aren’t being used, and make sure that you unplug your charger when your phone, computer, or other devices area fully charged. Changing out your light bulbs is another way to save money. CFL light bulbs are more expensive at first, but they use
much less energy than incandescent light bulbs, and last at least eight times longer than regular bulbs. Relying on natural light is another way to make your light bulbs last longer – so open your blinds and enjoy the sunlight!
At work and school
Many offices are already on their way to going paperless, but you can take individual actions to make your office a little greener. Scan your old, non-confidential files into PDF’s and recycle the hard copies – this will save space and allow you to find files faster. This is a tip you can use for school as well: taking notes on your laptop, instead of writing them down on paper, can save you money on buying notebooks.
Transportation to and from work or school can provide opportunities to go green, too. If the distance isn’t too long, consider walking or biking to work or school. If the walk or bike would be a bit too much, try to get a carpool going with folks who live in the same area as you. Public transportation’s also a great idea if you live in a city that has it.
For eating on the go, going green is easier than you might think. Save money by bringing your lunch to school or work, making sure it’s in containers that are reusable or recyclable. You can keep a set of plastic travel utensils in your lunch box as well, instead of using disposable forks and spoons. Instead of using paper or Styrofoam cups for your coffee, bring a travel mug from home. And if you do go out for lunch, make sure you dispose of the containers and place and recyclable materials in their proper receptacles.
There are plenty of actions, both big and small, that you and your family can take to live a green lifestyle. Living green doesn’t have to mean you only eat local and never buy new clothes; but it does mean that you are conscious of the items you consume, how you use them, and how you dispose of them. Take steps every day to make the corner of your world a little safer, a little more affordable, and a little greener—the positive results will affect you and those around you.
About the Author: Lindsey lives and writes in the Indianapolis area. She enjoys cycling and snowshoeing and volunteers to help promote environmental living. Lindsay writes on behalf of Colorado Technical University.
