Things I do which are green include the following:
l. green electricity - Bullfrog Power
2. composting
3. three rain barrels to water gardens
4. vegetable garden
5. replaced all incandescent lights with fluorescent bulbs
6. power bar on computer, TV, microwave, etc. - turn off when not in use
7. use hot-plate, microwave, toaster oven, electric fry pan instead of stove whenever possible - unplugged stove
8. heat with wood from sustainable woodlot for heat in winter - do have natural gas furnace if needed
9. buy carbon offsets once a year to offset natural gas usage, gas for car, etc.
10. buy biodegradable organic toilet paper
11. buy organic food baskets weekly from local organic grower to supplement vegetable garden
12. mainly vegetarian - do eat wild salmon and sardines for Omega-3 content - allergic to other main sources.
13. recycle plastics, cardboard, paper, cans, etc. for weekly garbage pick-up
14. eliminate as much plastic as possible from purchases
15. replaced all plastic food containers with glass ones - canning jars work well
16. take batteries, light bulbs, paints,etc. to hazardous waste recycling depot
17. recycle electronics at a special depot
18. use cloth bags for retail purchases
19. yard sale to replace or buy needed products
20. no more bottled water - fill up jugs from town - our well water is hard with sulphur and iron - even though it is drinkable town water tastes better and is readily available at a public outlet
21. trips to stores consolidated to save gas and emissions - unfortunately there is no public transportation where we live but we are trying to have town buses extend their routes to include our town
22. vote for the Green Party
23. non-toxic household cleaners
24. Energy Star appliances
24. cold water wash in front load washer
25. hang clothes to dry
26. three minute showers
27. green dishwashing and laundry detergents
28. cut lawn high is summer to minimize watering - only watered lawn and flower beds once this summer with the sprinkler system - used rain barrel water at other times but did have to water vegetable garden more often (drip irrigation from soaker hoses) - we are on well water and septic system
29. start all vegetables and flowers from seed we have saved or purchased (organic seed if possible)
30. yard planted with many deciduous trees for shade in summer, warmth in winter
31. reflective window shades on south and west windows for cooler house in summer which reduces need for air conditioning
32. small footprint - 1200 square foot bungalow not counting finished basement
33. green personal grooming products, some purchased, some homemade
34. monthly donations to Greenpeace, a foster program, Federation of Ontario Naturalists to support environmental projects
35. volunteer for nature related projects
36. give charitable donations instead of consumer based gifts as well as yard sale finds or homemade goodies
37. cook from scratch - make bread, freeze garden produce for winter use
38. make and bottle own wine or buy organic
39. use no pesticides or herbicides
40. use quick cycle on washer - clothes seem just as clean
41. use 1 tbsp detergent in washer and 1 tsp in dishwasher - seem just as clean so far
42. house well insulated and caulked
43. thermal windows
44. use cedar for outdoor projects - no pressure treated wood
45. considering the use of cloth wipes for toilet use - haven't done this yet.
46. would love an electric car - maybe in a couple of years once ours have bit the dust and if we can afford it
47. also intend to purchase a tankless hot water heater - in the process of researching products and installation requirements and whether a solar hot water heater is feasible in our climate.
48. sign and send on-line eco-petitions
49. click for free charitable donations on various on-line sites
50. no teflon cooking pots - only use stainless steel or iron
51. try to buy organic cotton clothing if need to purchase clothing from retailer
52. use dehumidifier water to water houseplant, potted garden plants
53. weekly menu plan so not waste food
54. walk instead of using car when possible
55. low flow shower head
56. bricks in toilet tank to reduce water consumption
57. reusable cloth bags for gift wrapping at holidays and special occasions - also use a cloth shopping bag as part of the gift to encourage use of non-plastic grocery bags
58. cancel magazine subscriptions-use library instead
59. use on-line catalogues instead of paper ones
60. put name on no junk mail list
6l. do not use drive-thru options since car idles too long
62. turn off car engine in traffic backup situations, delays due to construction, etc.
63. use pencils instead of pens where applicable since pencil remnants are recyclable
64. use e-mail cards instead of paper ones for special occasions - I still like paper Xmas cards ):
65. extending garden to include large planters on sunny deck - due to abundance of trees garden becoming more shaded
66. converting flower-bed by shed into vegetable gardening area for same reason as #65
67. keep tires on van and car inflated to proper level - check when filling up with gas
68. replacing fuse box with breakers since safer, more efficient, no fuse purchases, insurance decrease
69. safflower oil as body lotion - no petroleum products and good for the skin
70. use ashes not salt on winter ice
71. use only rechargeable batteries
72. gift giving - charitable donations, homemade stuff, yard sale finds, gift of time
73. use off-peak times to run dishwasher, washing machine, slow cooker, air conditioner, etc.
