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Eco friendly living, sometimes also referred to as going green, is a growing trend in the United States and around the world. People are becoming more conscious of the negative impact that our daily actions and choices can have on the environment around us. If you want to participate in the movement to go green, but aren't quite sure where to get started, then this article is for you! Read on to learn about five easy things you can start doing at home today to make a real difference in the world around you.
1. Compost. Composting is a great way to send less waste to the landfill. Furthermore, compost is the best possible fertilizer you can add to your plants. Compost bins are readily available for purchase through internet and catalog stores. Stop throwing away those yard clippings and food scraps, and put them to good use in a compost bin instead.
2. Plant a vegetable garden. Produce purchased at many grocery stores has traveled hundreds, if not thousands of miles to get to your dinner table. Growing your own produce at home is not only eco friendly, but it will save you a lot of money, too. For every $1 invested in planting a vegetable garden, you'll reap an average of $4-5 in fresh produce. Your vegetable garden is also a great way to use the compost you'll be making with your new compost bin!
3. Install a programmable thermostat. These thermostats will automatically adjust the temperature up or down when you're asleep or away from home. They are inexpensive, can be easily found at most hardware stores, and can save you as much as 10% on your heating and cooling costs.
4. Turn off the lights. This is such an easy way to save energy, and yet so easy to forget to do. A lot of energy is wasted every year when we leave lights on in rooms after we've left. Making a conscious effort to always turn out the lights will not only save energy, it will save you money, too.
5. Install low flush toilets and low flow shower heads. A huge amount of water that is used in U.S. households goes down the drain in the bathroom. Low flow shower heads will cost you less than $10 each, and will save thousands of gallons of water every year. Furthermore, low flush toilets can save as much as 3 to 5 gallons per flush! Multiply that by the number of people in your household, assuming each person flushes several times per day, and the water savings will really begin to add up. For an even more ecological option, next time you need to replace a toilet, consider installing a composting toilet instead. These toilets cost more up front, but many of them use no water at all, so the savings in the long run can be huge.
Going green is something that every American household can take part in, even if we just choose a few simple things to participate in. Remember, eco friendly living habits are learned young, so get your kids involved now; they'll be learning things that will stay with them for a lifetime. With just a few easy steps and changes every day, we can all save some water or electricity, and start impacting the environment in a positive way!
For more information on waterless toilets and how they can save you money, visit The Composting Toilet Store at http://www.composting-toilet-store.com/Compost_Toilets_s/34.htm
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