Considering Americans generate a lot of trash, many families are likely looking for ways to reduce the amount of waste they produce. Exactly what can the average family do to reduce its waste without cramping its lifestyle? Here are a few ideas that don't take much effort or even money (and may, in fact, even help a family save money in the long run) but will help a family begin reducing its carbon footprint.
The Fallacy of Bottled Water: Why the Tap is Good Enough
Many people buy bottled water, believing that what they're buying is safer and better for them than the water that comes out of their tap. However, studies have found that a lot of bottled water is not as healthy or as safe as consumers might believe.
Worse than that, though, is the environmental impact of bottled water. Not only do they take up a lot of space in landfills, but they also require a lot of energy during their manufacture. Most cities have available drinking water that is perfectly safe to drink. Just by drinking tap water, a family can dramatically reduce its waste.
Want water on the go? There are plenty of reusable water bottles for sale, both at stores and on the internet. They are available in plastic, aluminum, and stainless steel. Giving up bottled water is quite possibly one of the easiest ways a family can reduce its impact on the environment.
Some people say they prefer bottled water because it tastes better. Sometimes all a person needs to do to make her tap water more palatable is to add some ice and a slice or two of lemon.
Switch from Incandescent Light Bulbs to Fluorescent
Fluorescent bulbs aren't just for offices and schools anymore. They're for home too, and they're made to fit standard fixtures. Fluorescent bulbs are becoming more popular because they save money (they last longer than incandescent bulbs), but they also save energy.
One thing consumers need to be aware of, however, is that fluorescent bulbs must be disposed of properly. They can't just be thrown in with the regular trash. People will want to call their city or county government or their waste disposal company for information about disposal.
Make Rags Out of Old Clothing
When people cut up old t-shirts to make rags, they are in essence "killing two birds with one stone." Not only are they preventing the old t-shirt from going to the landfill, but they can also avoid wasting paper towels. Many times, people will grab a paper towel just to clean up a little spill when a clean rag would do just as well. It's just a matter of retraining the family to use rags.
Every Family Can Make a Difference
A lot of families recycle. Some compost. There are so many things people can do, one family at a time, and sometimes the simplest, easiest solutions are the best. When a person realizes that he creates four pounds of trash a day, it's not hard to see that every little change can make a big difference.
Related articles:
- Teaching Environmentalism to Kids
- How to Reduce Household Waste
- Environmental Reasons to Become Vegetarian
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