What have you done to help the environment?
@AxranraRose82 (1120)
United States
September 2, 2007 10:50am CST
What steps have you taken to make our world better?
I want to do better things and sometimes I can. Other times it is just way to expensive to try. What steps have you taken? I can always use some other ideas!!
I bought some cloth bags at the grocery store to use for my shopping. I only bought two because I didn't have much money but I often forget to bring them along. I am also afraid that I will get to the checkout counter and they will try to make me pay for them again! I still have to use plastic and paper (though the grocery store closest to me doesn't have paper bags) because those bags don't hold a lot of stuff.
We have a kiddie pool in our yard and we fill it up with the hose. When we are done with it, instead of dumping it out I will fill up the watering can to water my plants first.
I don't use as many hazardous products as I used to. Instead I try to use hot water, baking soda, vinegar and stuff like that. I also try not to run my air conditioner unless I cannot tolerate the heat. I use fans instead. I guess that helps a little bit.
When i paint the rooms in my house I plan to research safer paints or ones that have been recycled.
I recycle everything i can.
I wish I could invest in the better windows and we do try to buy the large products like water heaters and refridgerators with the better energy ratings.
I am sure there are some other things I do I just cannot think of them at the moment! What are you doing?
2 people like this
7 responses
@alfecris (181)
• Philippines
3 Sep 07
when it comes to environment, sometimes i do care when i feel or think that environment need or cooperation and help. many instances in life that i am so conscious about my environment and till this i sometimes help the environment to be clean. i will site all my doings here:
one is when i am inside the car and when me and my family will eat of something inside. the typical thing that my family do or even to the people around is to throw all the garbages out in the window because they do not want mess inside the car. when i see that my family is about to do that, i usually tell them to stop and you wait till we pass on a garbage area or can for that matter. i would tell them to keep it still while waiting to pass on a garbage area. and from there atleast i have helped the environment on the best way i can.
3 people like this
@cripfemme (7698)
• United States
3 Sep 07
I take mass transit and try to remember to turn my lights off when I'm not using them. I write letters in favor of enronmental legislation and I belong to the Massachusetts Green-Rainbow Party, state affliate of the national Green Party.
3 people like this
@AxranraRose82 (1120)
• United States
4 Sep 07
That's awesome! I wish that more mass trasportation would be offered here. There are only a few bus routes available and most of them are never reliable- you are either 2 hours early or an hour late to wherever you are going.
I have a bad habit of leaving electronics plugged in when I am not using them. Of course the fridge needs to be plugged in at all times but my air conditioner does not. I have to start practicing that one. As for lights- I am doing a lot better than I used to!
@AmbiePam (92719)
• United States
3 Sep 07
I am limited too financially in what I can do. And I'm not going to worry about what I can't do. I'll do what I can. Like getting the GE energy saving lightbulbs (which also helps on the monthly bill), buying biodegradable trash bags (they're cheaper than regular), turning off the water when I'm brushing my teeth or washing my face, and taking any paper I have to the nearest recycling bin, which happens to be in my church parking lot.
You can also concentrate on what you DON'T do. Don't leave your lights on when you leave the room. Don't keep your computer on all night. Don't litter (I'm sure you don't anyway). Things like that. Sounds like you are already on a great start!
@AxranraRose82 (1120)
• United States
4 Sep 07
Oh I have those light bulbs too! Another plus with them is their 5-7 year guarantee. How many times have you had a regular light bulb blow after only a month!?!
I guess they don't have biodegradable trash bags where I shop because this is the first time I am hearing about them! It's great that they are cheaper. I always buy the cheapest trash bags.
I've been turning off the water for years- my boyfriend still needs to practice that one because he is horrible. Sometimes I will even brush my teeth in the shower.
Oh and I don't flush the toilet unless I have to.
Those are some really good ideas! Thanks for sharing with everyone!
1 person likes this
@AxranraRose82 (1120)
• United States
5 Sep 07
That shouldn't be a problem- my boyfriend's grandparents own a health food store :D I will have to take a look there and see if they have any!!
1 person likes this
@mykmari_08 (2464)
• Philippines
3 Sep 07
I've been doing these things for quite some time now. I believe these not only help the environment, but also give me additional income. These include:
a. collecting tin cans, soda bottles, & mineral water containers
b. rewriting on the other side of papers for scratch work or memo to officemates
c. collects & plants seeds (fruit-bearing or otherwise)
d. takes the public vehicle when going to & from workplace
e. seldom uses the washing machine; most of the times do handwash
We are also encouraged at the office to turn off the lights during lunch time. Also, we are discouraged to do overtime work because this will also increase the use of electrical appliances.
@AxranraRose82 (1120)
• United States
4 Sep 07
Congrats!! I have recently thought about how much money for the electric bill my workplace might be putting out by having some people stay overtime. I feel bad that they do- it is my fault because I have to come in later than everyone else.
@sandwedge (1339)
• Malaysia
3 Sep 07
i use to recycle cans, glass, plastics and papers until i found out that the city i currently live in does not have recycling plant for glass and plastics. they have the recycling bins everywhere but apparently the local authorities are have those out and the recycle campaign in all media is ONLY for political reasons. the only recycling plant in the city now are paper and cans.
i asked on of the city workers what they do tieh the glass and plastics they collected from the recycling bins, he told me they dump i into the dump site later on....welcome to the 3rd world country.
so all i recycle now is papers and cans.
2 people like this
@AxranraRose82 (1120)
• United States
4 Sep 07
That is such a shame that they do that! And they went through all the trouble to provide those bins- what a waste!
@sandwedge (1339)
• Malaysia
6 Sep 07
providing the bins being a waste is the least of it all..its blatantly lying to the community to recycle when some of it does not exists! and all for what? for some idiot baby kissing politician to look good.
@happychloe (23)
• China
3 Sep 07
I try not to buy bottle water. Avoid taking plastic bags while shopping, recycling water, using energy-saving bulb...etc. I think many small things can help protect our environment!
2 people like this
@AxranraRose82 (1120)
• United States
4 Sep 07
I have to say I am bad with bottled water. That is the only way I will drink water because my tap water tastes really bad and the pipes leading to my house are from the 30s and are lead pipes so we really shouldn't drink it. Filters help a little bit but not enough to take the bad taste away. And it will only get worse if they decide to add fluoride to it- I won't drink that garbage!!
But those are all great things to do!! I wish that I could add the water thing to my list
