Earth Day is coming and that means a lot of us are thinking about what we can do to be green not just this month, but year round.  My girls are starting to understand how important it is so we do things year round that will surely make an impact and we are teaching them as well.   Some of them are simple and may not seem like much but I know over time they will.

If you are looking for some ways to be more green year round, check out our tips below…..

1. Use reusable bags as much as you can.   I have some that fold up and store nicely in my purse and I also have some for fruits and veggies as well.
2. Compost leftover food.  I use my garbage disposal since we don’t compost.  It’s less in the trash.
3. Recycle all cardboard and paper according to your city’s instructions.  We have to big bins for recyclables and almost every week they are both full and we have hardly any trash.  LOVE THAT.
4. Use environmental friendly cleaning products.
5. Stop buying cleaning wipes and use a rag instead.  Then I can wash it and reuse it.
6. Unplug small appliances when not in use and use a power strip on others.  I used to leave my laptop plugged in all the time but now when it’s charged I shut the power strop so it doesn’t draw power.
7. Turn down your thermostat at night.  The last thing I do before I shut off the lights on our main floor is turn down the thermostat about 2-3 degrees.
8. Buy energy-efficient appliances.   We’ve slowly replaced almost all our appliances.
9. Use cold water when washing clothes.  This is hard to get used to but I’m trying.
10. Pay bills online to save paper and sign up for paperless bills and statements.  I hardly write checks anymore!!  And I save on stamps and trips to the post office.
11. Switch light bulbs to CFL bulbs.   They are more expensive up front but in the end save you so much money and last a lot longer!
12. Turn off the water between uses.  My kids are trying so hard to remember to shut the water while they brush their teeth.  I also turn down the water while lathering up in the shower.  And my girls take showers together some times to save on water, and it’s more fun that way!
13. Change your shower head to a low water flow so you will use less water.

Do you have any tips you’d like to add?  Leave them in the comments!

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