10 Easy Ways to be Nicer to the Environment and Your Wallet

Nora Dunn — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 00:46:43 +0000

In recognition of upcoming Blog Action Day, I have ten easy suggestions for improving your lifestyle and the environment. Thank you to Joanna Yarrow's 1,001 Ways To Save The Earth for providing me with the creative inspiration.

1. Make Your Jeans Walk The Mile

Believe it or not, 3/4 of a pound of fertilizers and pesticides are used to produce one pair of jeans. But thanks to Myscha's recent popular article, there are at least 25 things you can do that will keep your torn up tattered denims from being a waste.

2. Dry Cleaning Isn't Dry Cleaning Anymore

It isn't dry, and when you think of all the chemicals used to dry clean your fancy duds, it isn't really clean either. Try not to buy clothes that require dry cleaning. If you must, then try to space out trips to the dry cleaners by taking care to air out your outfits between wearings.

Also believe it or not, some clothes that are "dry clean only" can in fact get washed on the cold cycle. Certainly heed this advice with caution, but I've done many a delicate load with my "dry clean only" duds and not had any troubles.

3. And If You Must Dry Clean, Get Rid of Those Hangers!

In my dry-cleaning days, I had more hangers than I did clothes. Take your extra dry cleaning hangers back to the dry cleaner for recycling. They'll save money on their own overhead, and you'll also help them save the environment from further hanger consumption.

4. It Doesn't Have to Be Scalding Hot to Clean

Speaking of washing clothes, try using a cooler cycle than what you are used to. Nine times out of ten your clothes aren't so dirty that they absolutely require the hot wash, and you'll save 30-60% of the energy consumed using the hot cycle.
When it comes to drying, don't over-dry your clothes, and consider using the cool-down cycle to utilize the residual heat in the dryer.
Even better, consider line drying your clothes.
If you're in the market for a new washer or dryer, this site has some great tips on what to look for to save both energy costs and the environment.

5. Iron Clad Pots & Pans

Although they may cost a little more at the outset, a good set of cast-iron pots and pans will last a lifetime (or two), and is more energy efficient than many other kinds. With the superior performance and non-stick qualities, you'll also turn out some of the best home-cooked meals you've had in years.

6. Car Washing Is A Gas!

When I owned a car, I loved to have it clean. I mean sparkly clean. But it meant many trips to the car wash, which was both expensive and a waste of energy and resources.

Of course, I tried to visit car washes with a water-recycling system (which recycles 95% of the water), but that wasn't always possible.

For those more disciplined than I, you can save some money, and heck - burn some extra calories - by washing the car yourself, and hold off on the hose; use a bucket and sponge to save extra 20 gallons of water consumption over using the hose.

Really into this idea? Better yet, use a rain barrel to catch rainwater for your car washes. The properties of rain water are actually more beneficial for getting the dirt off your car and keeping it shiny longer.

7. Cancel The Gym Membership

Huge energy is consumed to light and air condition your gym, and power all the machines. All to allow you to pretend you're climbing stairs, riding a bike, or running in the park. Why not try actually climbing the stairs, riding a bike, or running in the park?
I already showed you one way to reduce your gym membership fees, but here are a few more:
Find a way to volunteer for a conservation project. You'll not only help the environment by planting trees or maintaining public green spaces, but you'll also burn a ton of calories doing so!
If you can, bike to work. You will actually inhale less pollution than your counterparts who are sitting in their cars in bumper to bumper traffic. And if the commute is too painful to bicycle the old fashioned way, try an electric bicycle to help you pedal.

8. Cut Down On Your Pens

I never knew where they come from, but if you saw my pen collection five years ago you'd say I had an obsession. Now there's only one pen I actually use, and it's a really nice refillable ball-point pen given to me as a present exactly five years ago. Not only does it write beautifully, feel great in my hands, and the refills are cheap, but it saves all those crappy disposable pens from filling dumps.

9. Recycle Your Cell Phone, and Pocket Some Cash

In this day and age of having not only a functional but fashionable cell phone, we seem to replace them more and more frequently. Of course you can donate your old phone to local charities, or give it back to the retailer for recycling, but you can also find a service like this one that will actually purchase your used cell phone from you.

10. Be Frugal

Just being frugal not only saves your wallet, but helps to keep the planet green. In the age of consumption and abundance, it is easy to absolutely have to have the latest this and the most popular that. Before you put your credit card down to pay for the latest impulse gizmo though, consider your actual needs. Will this item be truly useful to you, and a positive addition to your life? Can you live without it?

Seventeen million heated toilet seats have already been sold worldwide, and one of the manufacturers of heated toilet seats projects sales of over 400,000 a year to North Americans alone.

Reality check, anyone?

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This article is from Nora Dunn of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

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