Tips for Going Green at Home

Last week, we looked at going green in the classroom and the week before we looked at going green in the workplace. This week, in the final part of our green lifestyle series, we will be looking at how you can go green in the place where you spend the most time: your home. Also, today we launched an exclusive preview of California Republic’s new FSC-certified ForesChoice notebooks.

Going Green at Home

One of the best places to start greenifying your life is in your own home. It’s the place where you start and end your day, the place where you live and eat and the place where you have the most control. If you practice eco-friendly living at home, not only will environmental consciousness become a part of your everyday life, it will become a part of your children’s everyday lives. And, contrary to popular opinion, being green doesn’t always mean spending more green. Here are a few real-world ways you can make green lifestyle choices in your home without breaking the bank.

Reuse 

Almost everything in your house has a reusable alternative. Avoid using paper towels and disposable diapers. It may take a bit longer to wash their reusable counterparts, but the money you will save and the waste you will prevent will be worth it. Use refillable water bottles instead of plastic ones and reusable grocery bags instead of paper or plastic. Repurpose old shirts as rags and old jars as storage containers. If there is something that you think can be reused, don’t hesitate to reuse it. The environment and your wallet will thank you for it!

Recycle 

Recycle, recycle, recycle. One of the best ways to greenify your home is by recycling. Recycle bottles, cans, paper and plastic. Not only will it help reduce your waste, it will fatten your at the same time. If you have trouble remembering to recycle, request a smaller garbage can. You will quickly learn what is trash and what isn’t when there isn’t any more room left in the can. If you have the room, create a compost bin for all of you coffee grounds, egg shells and produce waste. Doing so will lower your waste output and make a great start to an at-home garden.

Limit Usage 

Did you know that every time you flush your toilet, you may be using as much as four gallons of water? Not everyone can buy high-efficiency toilets or appliances, but there are other ways you can limit your usage. Turn off any and all electronic devices when they are not in use. Limit your showers to three minutes. Open a window to let in some sunlight. Use cold water instead of hot whenever you can. Ride a bike or walk for trips that are less than two miles. Make your own cleaning supplies; a simple Google search will turn up countless recipes. By limiting your usage of everything from water and electricity, to gasoline and cleaners, you can save the environment and your budget at the same time.

Learn

The best way you can go green in your own home is by educating yourself and your children in the ways of preservation, conservation and sustainability. Watch movies like Food Inc., Who Killed the Electric Car? and The 11th Hour. If reading is your thing, read books like Stuff: The Secret Lives of Everyday Things, The World According to Monsato and Eaarth. You can even follow websites like The Daily Green and Nature Moms for more tips on how you can create a green home. Whatever you do to keep yourself informed, spread what you learn on to your children, your spouse, your co-workers, your children’s teacher, the person you run into in the grocery store and anyone else who will listen. As the old saying goes, knowledge is power.

What are some of the green practices you’ve made part of your at-home routine Studio 602 readers? Let us know in the comments section below!