How to Save Money by Being Environmental Friendly

Being environmental friendly is very important and will save you money as well. This article talks about saving money by environmental friendly.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Recycle. Know what you can recycle and not recycle.
   Here is a short list of the common things we can recycle:
   a. aluminum cans (aluminum is very much in demand and can be recycled indefinitely.)
   b. plastic bottles
   c. plastic containers #1 & #2
   d. all paper (computer paper, construction paper, junk mail, envelopes, paperboard (the thickness of cereal boxes), index cards, paper with staples, newspaper, magazines, paperback books)
   
   There are also special items that you can recycle like batteries. Please accumulate these and contact your local recycling personnel for directions on how to recycle them.

2. Recycling is not only good for environmental purposes, you can get money from it. One aluminum can might not be worth so much, but everything adds up when you have more. People consume a lot of soda, think about how great it will be if all that aluminum is recycled.

3. 
    
   plastic bag made from recycled material

   Buy goods made from recycled material.

4. Use less energy by buy energy star products. According to wikipedia, the energy star program's primary goal is to reduce green house gas emissions. Energy star products will also save you money in electric bills.

5. Do not use pesticides in your garden. Pesticides are chemicals that are toxic. Our planet do not need more toxic substances to deal with. Instead, go organic or use nature's own pesticides (biological pest control) as pest control weapons. Fruits and vegetables that are grown without pesticides are healthier for humans as well.

6. Buy local produce. By buying local produce, you will help reduce excessive packaging and "food miles". When food has to travel long distances, gas consumption goes up and green house gas emission goes up.

7. Traditionally in our culture, we like to drive bigger cars and drive around town for the pleasure of driving or sightseeing. But you really need to rethink about driving. Drive less. Don't drive just for the fun of it. Ask yourself, "do I really need to drive or can I take public transportation or do I really need that full size SUV?"
   Smaller cars are and will always be significantly cheaper than most SUVs.

Resources

• wikipedia article on environment

[jimdris]

on 9/12/2008 Good article. I never thought about Step 5!

[LilacGirl]

on 9/11/2008 Great suggestions. Good article.

[Desula]

on 9/10/2008 Thank you for these tips on recycling and being environmentally friendly.

[luv2blog]

on 8/23/2008 Thanks!