More Quick Ways to Make a Global Environmental Difference Today
1. Make 1 day a week (or more) a bike to work day. If that is not possible try public transit or carpooling.
2. Wait 48 hours before making a new purchase. This will reduce impulse buying, give you an opportunity to shop around, look at consumer reports, and consider whether you really need this new item or not (or can you get it gently used?). this time will also give you an opportunity to look at FreeCycle, Craig's List and Kijiji. Or maybe you have a neighbour, friend or family member you can borrow the item from?
3. Join a food co-op so you can reap the benefits of buying in bulk, for example Ontario Natural Food Coop
4. Pick a new food product each month to buy organic and fair trade (staple items such as flour, ketchup and sugar are good ones to start with as you may not need to purchase them as frequently)
5. Recycle old batteries, print cartridges and electronic devices. Staples Business Depot, Home Depot and some schools have drop boxes for such items *some print cartridges can be refilled for less than purchasing a new cartridge - this is good for your wallet and the environment
6. Set your fridge to 37 F and your freezer to 0 F, as the refrigerator consumes the largest amount of electricity in the house on a daily basis
7. Have money to invest... go green with socially responsible investing
8. Avoid drive thru windows. Park your car and go inside, this reduces car idling.
9. Use a backyard composter or under the sink verma-composter (worm composter)... even if your municipality has a program. The city programs are still using trucks to drive around stop and go, stop and go, stop and go, to pick up the bins, this seems rather counter productive don't you think?
10. Visit Earth911 to learn how to recycle anything you own into something you can love again, or gift to someone else