Be Better, Be Smarter
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by: SimonMSkinner | Total views: 21 | Word Count: 536
Unless you live off the grid in a remote area (and if so, you're probably not reading this anyway), you no doubt hear a lot about the need to reduce our carbon footprint and to live a greener life. It's important and almost everyone will acknowledge this, but it can feel like you're being lectured at times.
However, there are some easy ways to live a greener life. Curbside recycling is in place in most cities, where you can simply place your recyclables out with your trash for pickup (in a separate container, of course). It's easy to separate your plastic, aluminum and other recyclable materials. The recycling pickup service takes care of the rest - all you have to do is to take it outside!
Joining your local Freecycle list is another great way to live greener. Don't throw things away - put them on the list and look there for things you need instead of buying new items. Odds are, someone will want what you've got to give away. By the same token, if there's something you need, it is more than likely to be found for the taking there as well. This keeps these items out of landfills and saves everyone money.
Food scraps make great fertilizer when composted and a mess in the garbage can, so why throw it away when it can be used? You can add leaves and grass as well as coffee grounds and egg shells to your pile of compost. Fruit and vegetables that have spoiled or waste from peeling or chopping certain foods such as potatoes can also go into the pile. Don't use meat or bones as it will take too long to break down and also attract flies and other nasty insects. Water it down when it needs it to keep it active and when it comes planting time you can add it to your garden soil and grow some nice healthy vegetables.
You can also get rid of your existing yard lights and replace them with solar powered lights. These do just as good of a job of illuminating your outdoor spaces, but use no electrical power. You can find solar powered yard lights in a variety of pleasing designs and you can install theme yourself without the assistance of an electrician. Solar powered holiday lights are also available, letting you save money on your electric bill while dressing up your home for the holidays.
Do some recycling, cans, bottles, plastic, and anything they will take will save you money and help the environment. You may even get a little money back if you have aluminum cans. Use your own bags when shopping instead of the plastic ones they have at the store. Some stores even offer discounts for doing this. Every little bit helps and perhaps will encourage others to do the same.
Once you start doing this, you will feel much better about yourself and also see how easy it is to live green. You will probably be surprised at the money you gain too. You can rest easier knowing you are doing your part to keep the earth greener and healthier for future generations as well as right now.
About the Author
Simon Skinner is the owner of green-base.com. Green-base.com is your base for all things green, providing news and views as well as news and services to assist you in your new eco-friendly lifestyle! Bookmark www.green-base.com for all of your eco-friendly news.
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