Andy Crawford /Getty Images
READ MORE ABOUT:
By Megan Cohen
If you're a Soccer Mom or a World's Greatest Dad living in a suburban community like the one we visit in Episode 2 of World's Greenest Homes, try these small steps to make your household more eco-friendly. You'll be surprised at what you can do for the environment with a couple of ice packs, your old sports equipment, or the lawn clippings that usually get thrown away.
The Kitchen
In the kitchen, keep your freezer full, even if it's mostly with ice packs, and keep your fridge stocked, even if it's with sodas or other non-perishables. Leaving less room for warm air means you'll use less power keeping things cool. Try buying products in bulk to reduce packaging waste, and to save money for green home improvements like energy-efficient appliances.
The Closets
During Spring cleaning, look for ways to donate as much of your "get rid of" pile as possible to people who can make use of your old athletic equipment and whatever else needs a new home. Not only does passing things on keep your goods out of the landfill, it saves the materials and energy that would go into producing unnecessary new items. Find someone who wants exactly what you're giving away on Freecycle or seek out a local charity shop.
The Lawn
Consider replacing your manicured grass with a low-maintenance meadow of native plants, or a vegetable garden that will provide seriously local produce. If you love your lawn too much to change its design, a couple of easy touches can result in more eco-friendly upkeep. Opt for a human-powered mower or a solar one. Since commercial fertilizers require industrial production factories, gas for product transport, and plastic packaging, spread homemade compost over your soil instead. After running your mower, leave clippings in place on the lawn to feed the living grass. Finally, try to water in the late evening or the early morning, when evaporation levels are low.
The Living Room
The television is a top electricity gobbler in most homes, second only to the always-on fridge, so an energy-efficient TV set is smart. When your clan is on the couch in front of the tube, stay comfortable while taking the strain off your house's climate control systems. Pile up cozy sustainable blankets that you can snuggle under during the chilly months. For summer, change or clean your air conditioning filters, and consider a solar system.
-
- {}
