greenliving Ever-More-Green in Easy Ways to Go Eco Right Now by Avery Mack N
ew Year resolutions can be a distant memory by mid-January, due to unrealistic expectations,
slow results and distractions that sideline good intentions. Yet we may still reap the rewards of a greener, healthier lifestyle by progressively adopting small, doable changes.
Nifty Switches January white sales present a prime opportunity to change to organic cotton sheets and dry-fast towels to reduce energy usage. Local animal shelters welcome old towels and blankets. Homeless shelters also accept gently used clean linens and outgrown cold- weather gear.
Replace family toothbrushes with eco-friendly models made from renewable castor oil plants instead of petroleum. The Naturally Clean Toothbrush is BPA-free and recyclable (
TomsOfMaine.com). Each day, Americans use 500 million disposable straws, reports Milo Cress, founder of the Be Straw Free Campaign (
Ecocycle.org). Discarded plastic straws and stirrers are on the Ocean Conservancy’s top 10 list of debris littering beaches. Cindy Schiff Slansky, CEO of GreenPaxx, in New York City, suggests using a reusable silicone straw. “The bright colors help keep track of each person’s drink. They’re in my purse for when I eat out
with my kids,” she says. “We always say no to disposable straws.” Also consider paper straws that compost within 45 to 60 days.
Plug electronics into power-
saving energy strips that can be turned off when machines aren’t in use. Completely shutting down computers saves more energy than using sleep mode.
When it’s time for a more energy- efficient fridge or freezer, call the electric company. The Appliance Recycling Centers of America work with utilities to pick up and recycle working appliances. Air conditioners and dehumidifiers are accepted with a qualifying fridge or freezer. Alternatively, call a local recycling company for a curb pickup of broken appliances; even easier, confirm that the company delivering a new appliance will take away and recycle the old one. Upgrade to a greener model
when the need arises to change cars. California, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Vermont have pledged to speed the construction of charging stations in their states and project collectively having 3.3 million battery-powered cars, plug-in hybrids and other clean-burning vehicles on their roads by 2025. To make clean and renewable home energy affordable and increase property values, Sunrun installs and maintains home solar power panels in 1,000 cities in 11 states for low and predictable monthly rates (
Sunrun.com). Choose green products carrying the 1% for the Planet logo. Identify
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Natural Awakenings San Antonio
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