30 SNAPPY Green Tips for the New Year 2012.

By David Popoff

When you think “green” sometimes you tend to think expensive, well here are 30 snappy simple ways to be environmentally conscious that you can incorporate into your daily routine. Once you have started you will see how simple they are and will just become common sense habits that will save you money over time. Please share your experience with friends.

1. Use reusable bags instead of plastic throw always.
2. Compost, even old coffee grinds work great for indoor and outdoor plants.
3. Pay bills on line, remove your name from paper mailing catalogs, and reduce mail.
4. Replace toxic home cleaners with organic all natural cleaners or make your own such as baking soda and vinegar.
5. Keep live plants nearby be it a cactus or leafy to freshen the air.
6. Put holiday lights on a timer.
7. Set up recycle center in your house and office for composting, paper, bottles & cans
8. Conserve water, turn off water when washing dishes, shaving and brushing teeth.
9. Use a snow shovel instead of a gas snow blower.
10. Recycle used CFL bulbs to local home improvement centers.
11. Plan car trips (have tires at proper inflation) to reduce repeated trips, carpool, use public transport, bike or walk.
12. Read books, newspapers on line, send e-mail cards
13. Use Earth friendly de-icier instead of salt which could kill grass and plants.
14. Share magazine subscriptions and recycle books
15. Reuse as much as possible, recycling is awesome, reusing is better.
16. Bring a useable cup for coffee to go, have reusable water bottles.
17. Donate used old towels to animal shelters.
18. Use master switches to turn off entertainment systems and home offices. Surge protector with on/off switch work great.
19. Use major appliances during off peak hours.
20. Lower temperature on hot water heater to 120 Fahrenheit.
21. Recycle electronics, cell phones, computers, TV’s, etc.
22. Use Tupperware and reusable containers when bringing lunch to work.
23. Buy post consumer recycled paper products.
24. Wash clothes in cold water.
25. Install programmable thermostats and lower thermostat temperature a few degrees in winter and raise it a few degrees in summer.
26. Change bulbs to CFL or LED’s.
27. Buy locally, visit farmer’s markets.
28. Plug home air leaks, use weather stripping, foam and caulk holes, cracks and door swepts.
29. Replace filters on A/C, boilers and furnaces.
30. Share your experience & knowledge about ‘green’ at work, holiday gatherings, with friends & family.

 David Popoff is a Real Estate agent in Darien