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5 (Really) Easy Ways to Help the Environment

Posted on 17 November 2008 by admin

It's hard not to notice everyone "Going Green" these days. What seems like over-hyped marketing tactics, helping the environment isn't all about selling cars and laptops. There are small things we can each do to help out the environment, and they don't take much effort. Below are five easy ways you can help the environment - starting today.

stock.xchng - Recycle Sign (stock photo by asifthebes)

#1.
Make Someone else Change Your Oil

stock.xchng - Himba 3 (stock photo by porah)

Like, a Certified Mechanic. Yes, you can save 20 bucks by doing it yourself, but we've seen how much drips onto your driveway and heads toward the storm drain - in some cases, full pans of it. A mechanic or "Quick Lube" will actually recycle the stuff. While you're there, have them repair any leaks and do all the scheduled maintenance that'll make your car burn less fuel and last longer, reducing overall pollution during its lifetime. Schedule enough work, you may even have to leave it at the shop and carpool for once.

#2.
Buy in Bulk

stock.xchng - MM Stores 1 (stock photo by atwailee)

So Costco's metric-ton vats of mayo make you laugh? Joke's on you. The bigger containers of stuff you buy, the less plastic ends up on our beaches. That includes quarts of yogurt instead of cute single servings, concentrated OJ instead of jugs, two-litter bottles instead of six-packs. Granted, there's some extra effort in the carrying department, but done right you may not have to visit the store again for another year. Hey, maybe now's the time to hit your folks up for that keg-o-rator.

#3.
Don't Walk Your Dog

stock.xchng - loebeke (stock photo by lindagr)

Every time it rains, untold armies of turds charge toward the sea to your demise. Why not just keep Fido inside all the time? Ok, so things get a little messy around the house, but it'll sure make those late night kitchen runs a helluva lot more interesting. And it'll give your mom plenty more to bitch about besides the dirty clothes on your bedroom floor. Besides, the only other option is actually following the furry bastard around, picking up his crap, putting it in a plastic bag and disposing of it in a trash can - which frankly sounds like work to me.

#4.
Stop Showering

stock.xchng - shower (stock photo by bigdodaddy)

Well, maybe not entirely, but just try to make them shorter - say, under five minutes. If each person in LA did as much, it could save over 68 million gallons of water a day, as well as reduce the flow of contaniments into the ocean. While you're at it, stop washing your clothes so much, or try keeping the loads light. And maybe keep the car scrubs to a minimum, too. Trust us, after a few showerless, dirty laundry weeks, you don't wanna see your reflection.

#5.
Quit Mowing Your Lawn

stock.xchng - Mowing Job (stock photo by jzlomek)

If you keep the grass about 3 1/2 inches, it helps stop weeds, roots better to the soil - an erosion retardent - and you won't use as many fertalizers that can end up as run-off pollutants. Throw in the saved gas, you'll have the greenest "green thumb" on the block. Sure, the yard may look a little rough around the edges, but consider it a shaggy sign of your earthly love - kind of like hairy armpits on a hippie chick.

Got any other tips? Tell us about them in the comments! The best suggestion wins...well, nothing, but we might send you a gold star.

Related Reading:

History of the Conflict Between Religion and ScienceHistory of the Conflict Between Religion and Science
One Minute Mysteries: 65 Short Mysteries You Solve With Science!One Minute Mysteries: 65 Short Mysteries You Solve With Science!
Science in Seconds for Kids: Over 100 Experiments You Can Do in Ten Minutes or LessScience in Seconds for Kids: Over 100 Experiments You Can Do in Ten Minutes or Less

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  • Carhartt
    Buying in bulks, whether accessories, clothing or food, will surely save us from more plastics that end up in our oceans. That being said, buying in bulk could also help you earn a discounted deal.
  • Spider Veins
    Nice tips. If everybody plays their part, the earth will be a better place to live in.
  • nintendo
    If everybody has a loving caring family and they live in a community where everybody plays his or her role then gradually the whole world will be like that.
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    Interesting ways to help the environment. More people should do the above.
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    Scientists worldwide are declaring that Global Warming is just a myth. There's in fact a cycle. In 1970s, it was so cold that people in England thought they were moving into the ice age. The hottest the earth got to experienced was back in Dec 07.
  • tawanda
    This is LAME!!!!! you cant just stop mowing your lawn, or stop taking showers for God's sake!!!!! find other ways to help the environment!!!!!!!!!!!
  • HotelBooker
    Thanks for the tips. I need to start following point 3 because I really like long showers.
  • Jeseni
    this is noy helpful for the kids
  • Mike B
    Part of Number 4 confuses me. Not the showering part, that's pretty obvious.

    The part about doing lighter loads of laundry. If as you say, don't wash your clothes as often, that's understandable, but how would washing less clothes at one time. That sounds counter-intuitive.

    If you really want to help with water usage, follow this rule of toilet flushes:
    If it's yellow let it mellow,
    If it's brown flush it down.
  • Singapore Hotel
    Just don't fart, and go into hibernation mode. It helps remove the carbon footprint.
  • Pasty Muncher
    Eat more pasties - a whole meal in one - less energy to cook and no washing up.
  • Tristan
    Number 3 is ludicrous and cruel. Read The United Nation"s Livestock's Longshadow. Speaking of turds, what about the overpopulation of humans and the animals they routinely murder for food.
  • Bernard Brown
    Eat a PB&J!

    Eating lower on the food chain saves greenhouse gas emissions, water, land, pollution. You don't have to go whole hog (cold tofurkey?) - each time you decide what to eat is a chance to help the planet, just like each time you have to change the oil in your car.

    Bernard Brown
    Director, PB&J Campaign
    http://www.pbjcampaign.org
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