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Green New Year's resolutions

04 January, 2012 04:14:00 Caitlin de Kok

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Happy New Year to all of our readers - hope your festive season was filled with fun, laughter and relaxation. Now that 2012 is upon us, the time has come to reinvent ourselves and make some resolutions which will (hopefully) stand the test of time. One of the best resolutions you can make is to reduce your carbon footprint, both at home and in the office. Follow these easy tips to green your life in ways that are so simple, you'll be sure to sustain them:

1. Lighting

Shut off all the lights in rooms you aren't using. This means that in the evenings, you only need to have the lights switched on in the lounge/kitchen and not burning in bedrooms, bathrooms etc. Once you get into the habit of doing this, it will become second nature and your electricity bill will thank you.

2. Water

Check your household plumbing for leaks every now and then. Also be sure to shut off the water when brushing your teeth or washing the dishes.

3. Bath time

Or lack thereof. I recently read that taking a five minute shower instead of bathing can save enough water to make 1 000 cups of coffee. You can also save a lot of water by installing low flow showerheads.

4. Throw away those paper towels

It is far more sustainable to use cloth napkins, old clothes/pillow slips or even normal towels. Also chuck out those plastic cups, plates and cutlery.

5. Grow your own

Start a wormery and take advantage of the free compost which is wonderful for your garden. It is simple to set up - click here to find out more.

6. Your home

Check your home for drafts around the doors and windows. Weather proofing your home keeps it warm in the winter and reduces your heating bills. It also stops insects from slipping through those cracks and crevices.

7. Saving up

Consider putting some money aside each month with the view to eventually install solar heating in your home. Even partial solar power can have great long term financial benefits.

8. Put down that bottled water

We're all guilty of buying them, but enough is enough. Buy yourself one or two reusable bottles and make the effort to refill them often and keep cool water in the fridge.

9. When shopping

Keep green in mind when buying new purchases, whether you're looking at a new car or a new microwave. Consider aspects such as energy efficiency, lifespan, materials which were used in making the product and more. It is often worth spending more initially to obtain a product which will last a great deal longer.

10. Switch to rechargeable

Ditch batteries and get yourself a few rechargeable packs instead. At the end of the day it is not that much hassle to keep a few charged batteries on hand. If you think about the money you will save in the long run, it is well worth it.

Source:http://ecogreenbags.blogspot.com/2010/01/ten-easy-green-new-years-resolutions.html