So, what are some things you can do?

[Labors of Hercules]

To reduce or eliminate your own waste, energy consumption and carbon emissions...
To help clean up your local environment and keep it that way...
To make sustainable development and redevelopment happen...
Or to help keep as much of our Earth as natural as possible...

Share your great ideas! How are you going to answer the call?

[phusion]

1. Use rechargeable batteries.

Turn off the shower water while I"m soaping up.

Ride my bike more.

Try to buy local more often.

[Labors of Hercules]

4. often easier than we think to buy local...

It doesn't just mean breads, fruits and vegetables either... You might be surprized how many household products are produced within 100 miles of your home... And all I have to say is, screw import beers, there are some kickass microbrews nearby! :toast: :beer:

[Rosemary2205]

6. Thrift stores and yard and estate sales - craigslist

I've replaced everything from a dead toaster to my computer keyboard to needing to replaces glasses we broke from the thrift store and much of my home furnishings are used from all sorts of places. Most of my clothing comes from thrift stores.

I do this of financial necessity but it really cuts down on the need to manufacture NEW goods also if enough people do this.

[flobee1]

2. slow down

its the speed LIMIT not the required speed--slower speed=less gas used
ride a bike-not only is it good for you its good for the environment
bring your own grocery bag
put water in your own bottle-and buy a filter if your used to the "expensive" water
download insted of buying CD's-next to nothing is consumed
take shorter showers-one way is to get the shower gel with one of those puff ball things. not only does it clean better because you're scrubbing with the puff ball, one little dab of shower gel will clean your whole body without re-lathering
florescent bulbs use less energy and last longer than a filament bulb


all stuff I've started doing recently



the key is to slow the consuming
and all the above is so freakin easy to do
even for someone as lazy as me:-)

[Labors of Hercules]

3. "put water in your own bottle-and buy a filter if your used to the "expensive" water"

excellent one! And for long trips, go ahead and buy a 12 pack, refill and store them - We've used the same 12 bottles for over a year now by filling them from our carbon filtered pitcher!

[flobee1]

5. or an old 2 liter bottle

on hot days when you're going to be out and about, fill it 3/4 of the way and freeze it overnight the night before
by the time you get really thirsty, it will be thawed somewhat and you'll be drinking very very ice cold water

[phusion]

7. You can do this with "Nalgene" bottles too...

They are very durable 1 liter bottles that cost about $8. I've had my current one for over a year and use it to drink all of my water. I also have another one that I use with a special French press to make coffee out in the woods. :)