Archive for the ‘Electric Vehicles’ Category
Go Green at Home with an Electric Car
Green living is the new trend among celebrities, politicians and regular citizens. We’re finally making strides to spread awareness about the big issues like pollution, global warming and deforestation. As people learn more about the dangers our planet faces, they begin to look for ways to do their part to change things. Small changes make a big difference when everyone participates. Here are some easy ways to go green at home.
Clean Green
Most household cleaners are made from chemicals that are bad for the environment. You can make your cleaning routine earth-friendly by replacing chemical cleaners with natural alternatives. A mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water is a wonderful household cleaner for glass, countertops, and other surfaces. If you need to really scrub built-up grease and grime, mix a few tablespoons of baking soda with water to make a thick paste. Take a soft rag and work the paste over the grease stain. The baking soda helps to scour away the tough spots that won’t come off with just soap and water.
You should also switch your laundry detergents to more earth-friendly alternatives. Most laundry detergents are full of fragrances with chemicals that can’t be filtered from wastewater. These chemicals end up hurting wildlife. You should also be cautious when using detergents containing bleach. Bleach is deadly poisonous for people, but it can also create harmful toxins when poured down drains. You can get your clothes just as clean without using these chemical cleaners. Several companies are now offering eco-friendly alternatives for a reasonable price. If you aren’t able to find an organic detergent, at least choose to use a detergent without bleach.
Save Energy
The average American household is eating up the world’s energy sources at an alarming rate. We live in a plug-in generation. We depend on energy to talk with loved ones on our phones, to communicate with computers and even to prepare our meals. While electricity has done great things for society, we should also be careful to conserve energy whenever possible. Make it a habit to unplug appliances that aren’t being used. Unplug your cell phone charger when you’re not charging your phone. Unplug the coffee maker when you get done with your morning cup. Keep the toaster unplugged until time for breakfast. Just by unplugging your appliances, you can cut your energy bill significantly and you can also help to conserve energy.
You can also save energy by using more cold water. You will be amazed at the difference in your electric bill if you give your water heater a rest. Try washing clothes in cold water and washing dishes in warm water. Reserve hot water for showers and other times when cold water just isn’t bearable.
Scale Back on Mail
Did you know that Americans receive a total of 400 million tons of junk mail every single year? That means that 100 million trees are cut down each year just to fuel the junk mail addiction. You can make a huge difference in deforestation and pollution by opting out of junk mail. Call the companies and ask to stop receiving store circulars and catalogs that you don’t actually read. There are some companies that will help you opt out of junk mail completely, so you don’t have to make a dozen calls to get it stopped.
You should also consider adjusting the mail you do need. For example, most companies will now send you bills electronically through email. You can also pay your bills online, to save paper statements and checks. Ask your bank for information about online banking, so you can check your balance online and receive your bank statements by email. You will save hundreds of dollars on stamps each year, but you will also help the environment.
Start a Compost Bin
Most people never consider starting their own compost bins, but this is one of the easiest ways to help the environment by using waste for something productive. The Environmental Protection Agency has estimated that one fourth of the garbage in landfills is yard clippings and food. You can do your part to stop filling landfills by creating a compost bin. You can make a homemade bin to store yard clippings and vegetable scraps or other food wastes. This can be turned into a wonderful fertilizer to replace chemical fertilizers in the garden. Your garden will grow better than ever before and you will be doing something good for the earth.