Get an oil change every three months or 3,000 miles. Keep tires inflated according to your vehicle’s recommendations. Get your air, oil, and fuel filters changed according to your vehicle’s recommendations.
Applying gentle pressure to gas and accelerating slowly Driving at or below the speed limit Keeping your speed steady (Try using cruise control, if you have it. ) Giving yourself plenty of time to stop
Keep in mind that the purchase price of electric and hybrid cars is higher than most conventional cars. Electric cars can be charged at home, which is advantageous for those who have solar panels at home.
Visit a local farm stand or farmers’ market to get fruits and vegetables straight from the people who grew them. Shop at your neighborhood food cooperative to find locally grown and produced foods. Check your neighborhood grocery store for locally grown produce and other local items.
If you are advised not to completely give up animal products, try to reduce your consumption to once or twice a week. You could also look for sustainably raised meats, such as grass-fed beef, or inquire about venison from a local hunter. If you want to have an even bigger impact, consider going vegetarian or vegan.
Look for fruits, vegetables, and other products that are labeled as “organic” or “certified organic. ”
If you are new to gardening, start small. Plant a small container garden on your patio or plant a few tomato, lettuce, and cucumber plants in your backyard. You can increase the size of your garden over the years as you become more comfortable with gardening.
Keep the temperature on your water heater set to 120℉ (49C). Heating water accounts for between 14-25% of your home’s energy. Keeping the water heater set at 120℉ (49C) will help save some of that energy. [11] X Trustworthy Source U. S. Department of Energy Official site for the U. S. Department of Energy, which provides resources related to energy safety, conservation, and efficiency Go to source Air dry clothes. You can reduce your carbon footprint by 2,400 pounds a year by hanging your clothes out to dry instead of using a dryer. [12] X Research source Air or hand dry dishes. Make a dent in the 2. 5% of your household energy that is expended by using a dishwasher. Open the dishwasher door instead of running the dry cycle on your dishwasher. Choose energy efficient light bulbs. Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) can save up to 75% of the energy that goes toward lighting your home. These bulbs also produce less heat than normal light bulbs. [13] X Trustworthy Source U. S. Department of Energy Official site for the U. S. Department of Energy, which provides resources related to energy safety, conservation, and efficiency Go to source
Consider turning your heater down to 55℉ (13C) at night during colder months and pile on the blankets to stay warm. Consider using fans instead of an air conditioner to help control the temperature in your home. Fans use much less energy than air conditioners. [14] X Trustworthy Source U. S. Department of Energy Official site for the U. S. Department of Energy, which provides resources related to energy safety, conservation, and efficiency Go to source
If you decide to purchase new windows for your home, look for windows that have been designated as ENERGY STAR® windows. These windows have to meet certain requirements for energy savings. [16] X Trustworthy Source Energy Star Program run by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy focused on educating consumers about energy efficiency Go to source
Avoid buying products packaged with styrofoam. Styrofoam is a common packaging material, but it contributes to much of the waste in landfills because it is difficult to recycle. Styrofoam production also contributes to pollution through the release of hydrocarbons.
Check to see if your waste management company offers recycling pick up services. If not, you can always take your sorted recyclables to a nearby recycling center.
Look for items that include the terms “recycled content-product” or “post consumer content. ” Items made from recycled materials will also often provide a percentage to indicate how much of the product’s material came from recycled content. Look for items that have higher percentages than others.
For example, instead of using a heavy-duty cleaner to scrub your bathroom or kitchen, use a mixture of vinegar and water or a baking soda and salt paste. These natural household supplies get the job done just as well, and they won’t pollute the water when you wash them down the drain. Try making your own laundry detergent and dish soap. If you don’t have the time, buy detergent made with all-natural ingredients. When you can’t find a good alternative to a toxic item, use the least amount you can get away with and still get the job done.
There are a few highly controlled medications that authorities recommend flushing in order to keep them out of the wrong hands. These are exceptions to the general rule that medications should not be flushed. Check with your local pharmacy or police department to find out if they provide containers for medication disposal.
The US Environmental Protection Agency has a list of different types of toxic waste here. Keep in mind that items like CFLs, batteries, and other special products require special recycling. Some states even require these items to be recycled in order to prevent mercury from ending up in water and soil. Check with your waste management company to find out what options they offer for recycling these items. [24] X Trustworthy Source United States Environmental Protection Agency Independent U. S. government agency responsible for promoting safe environmental practices Go to source
Fix water leaks promptly. Use water-saving devices on your faucets and toilets, like a low-flow showerhead. Don’t wash dishes with the water constantly running. Replace old toilets and appliances with newer models that use less water. Don’t water your lawn excessively, especially if you live in a dry area.
While individuals can do their part to keep the air and water clean, corporations with environmentally damaging industrial practices are the main culprits. In order to protect the water and air where you live, it’s important to find out what’s putting them in danger.
Just talking about pollution with other people can lead to interesting discussions. Be prepared with answers for people who don’t think there’s anything they can do to help stop it. Pollution and the damage it causes is a very serious topic that some people may be averse to discussing. As someone who cares about this issue, be sensitive to others’ perspectives and find ways to help them gain a deeper understanding of what’s happening to the earth.
Hold a river or creek cleanup. Host a screening of a documentary about pollution. Visit schools to talk to kids about how they can help stop pollution. Contact your local representative to speak up about your views on keeping water chemical-free. Join a group that plants trees to help clean the air. Become a bike activist. Work to have safe paths built in your city.
