Yes, you can become a greener Canuck in 30 days (or less) and in 30 really simple ways
By WorkCabin.ca Staff
1. Don't trash those rechargeable batteries found in tools, cordless phones, flashlights, etc, when you think they're kaput. Ask your electronics store if they have a battery-rebuild program (in Canada, The Source, formerly Radio Shack, offers such a program). Your battery will be rebuilt to full power, at a fraction of the cost of buying a new one.
2. Trade in your energy-sucking rented hot water heater and replace it with an energy-efficient rented tankless water heater.
3. Pledge to use your dishwasher at least once less per month. Go ahead and fill it up with plates and tableware as usual, but at least once per month, don't start your dishwasher. Remove the items and wash by hand.
4. Start rethinking your money-saving obsession with dollar stores, especially all those products that aren't made of recyclable materials.
5. Start an annual family fun day called Homestead Day and reduce your footprint. Yep, that means no electricity, etc. Do pre-event research online or visit a local museum or tourist pioneer village. See what you can live without for a day.
6. Enrol your kids in Boy Scouts or Girl Guides, the original eco clubs for kids.
7. Put up a birdhouse. No, wait, put up several birdhouses. Our feathered friends need lots of help these days.
8. Where possible, reintroduce the childhood concept of walking to school, and walking home after school. Yes, that means you'll be driving less to pick them up.
9. Don't sit under those power-devouring heaters at your local ice rink. Wear extra clothes and tough it out like a true Canuck in the unheated section (hot chocolate in reusable mug is permitted).
10. Instead of buying CDs or packaged software, start downloading them.
11. When you go to a store and buy products that have excessive packaging, make a statement: Leave the packaging at the store (just be sure original packaging isn't required as part of warranty).
12. Buy simulated bacon bits for your salad, meals, etc.
13. Consider taking a train, instead of a plane. (You'll travel through Canada's vast wilderness and see why we need to protect it)
14. Instead of idling your vehicle when going through a drive-thru to get your morning coffee or muffin, park your vehicle and go inside to order at the counter.
15. If you absolutely insist on going through the drive-thru, request that your coffee be poured into your reusable travel mug.
16. Start brewing your own beer or making your own wine. Firstly, you'll have a ready supply (a great idea, eh), and you won't have to drive to the liquor store all the time. Secondly, you'll recycle your bottles. And did we mention you'll save money for other environmentally inspiring ideas?
17. Get a home energy audit. You may be surprised what is discovered, and even more surprised how easily -- and cheaply -- you can start saving on energy costs.
18. Spend less time in the shower. Yes, even if that means singing shorter songs.
19. Plant native plant species in your garden, rather than non-native plants.
20. Don't buy a rubber doormat. Buy one made from natural fibres.
21. Pick up at least one piece of litter every day. It might the easiest thing you can do to help the environment.
22. Don't throw away your printer toner cartridges and ink cartridges. Take them to your nearest Staples and be part of the Million Cartridge Challenge. Between now and Earth Day, April 22, Staples stores across Canada are accepting used cartridges. Collected cartridges will be sent for recycling.
23. If the magazine or newspaper you enjoy has an e-edition, subscribe to receive it, instead of a hardcopy.
24. Recycle old chipped hockey pucks. Use them as drink coasters.
25. Rather than use an electric blanket at night, throw on an extra comforter. It'll keep you just as warm.
26. Don't throw away your old computer. Contact reBOOT (www.rebootcanada.ca), a non-profit organization that repairs old equipment and distributes it to charities. To date, more than 6000 organizations have received such equipment from reBOOT.
27. When you rent a great movie and have seven days to return it, loan it (popcorn included at your descretion) to a friend so they won't have to make a separate car trip to rent it later.
28. Reuse old nails and screws. Unless they're rusty or chewed, they're probably fine for your next project. Making new nails and screws, like any steelmaking, consumes large amounts of energy.
29. Find a soapbox derby event near you and enter your kids in it. It's a great way to teach kids that going fast and having fun doesn't require gasoline.
30. Inspire a friend. Email this list today.
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PHOTO: Andrew McLachlan ©
Posted by on 10/20 at 02:28 PM