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Iconic supermodel Cindy Crawford will be partnering with PUR Water Filtration in May to launch "Thirsty for Change," a campaign with the goal of encouraging Americans to give up their bottled-water habit. Besides designing her own reusable water bottle, Crawford has offered the following nine "Easy, Green Tips for Everyday Life." Hey, considering she looks better than most women half her age, she must be doing something right.
1. Drink filtered tap water with a reusable water bottle: Over 38 billion plastic water bottles end up in landfills every year. By switching to filtered water and a reusable bottle, each person can prevent up to 3,200 plastic water bottles from ending up in a landfill every year.
2. Recycle and create a compost pile: Recycling and composting food diverted 82 million tons of material away from landfills and incinerators in 2006. Turn your kids into recycling and composting experts by putting them in charge of your household's efforts. It will teach them about responsibility, as well as sustainability.
3. Wash clothes with cold water and use concentrated detergent: 36 percent of hot water use in households comes from laundering. By using cold water, you'll cut back on your energy bill and consumption. Take it one step further by washing your clothes with concentrated detergent and you'll cut back on plastic container waste, as well.
4. Ditch the plastic bags: Over 100 billion plastic bags are thrown away every year. Next time you head to the grocery store or out on your errands, take canvas bags with you.
5. Buy local: Purchase food from local areas and help to cut back on gas emissions created by long transportation routes out-of-area fruits and vegetables must take to get to your local grocery. Your food will be fresher, taste better, and the air will be cleaner.
6. Use an online phone directory: Call up your local phone company and ask to be taken off of their delivery route. Believe it or not, phone books make up almost 10 percent of waste at dump sites.
7. Throw an eco-chic party: Don't throw out those old pants - throw a wardrobe-swapping party, instead. At the beginning of every new season, invite your friends over and trade old clothes along with your stories.
8. Go low-flow: Americans flush 4.8 billion gallons of water down the toilet every day. Take the easy step of filling a container with water and submerging it in your toilet tank. You'll cut back on your water bill and prevent hundreds of dollars being flushed away along with that extra water.
9. Unplug your life: 40 percent of all electricity used in homes is for appliances that are turned off but still plugged in. Pull some cords on your way out the door next time and you'll see a huge savings on that electric bill. Using surge protectors with numerous outlets is a great way to turn them all off at once.
Difficulty level: Easy to moderate
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