Not only is “going green” a great approach to help the environment on an individual level, but it's also a smart way to cut costs and feel good doing it.
Here are three actions you can take to go green.
1. Ditch the Bottled Water
Bottled water is wasteful. In the U.S., an average of 38 million water bottles are discarded each year, which equates to roughly $1 billion worth in plastic. Not to mention, it costs an individual roughly $1,400 for bottled water a year to obtain the recommended eight glasses of water a day.
Good news, this is an easy fix. Replace bottled water on the go with a reusable water canister. Some even have a built-in filter so that you can fill up from any tap! When at home, elect to use a filter that attaches right to your kitchen sink, or is built into your refrigerator or pitchers.
2. Cut Gas Consumption
It’s easy to get into the habit of driving everywhere we need to go. However, cities have become cognizant of the need to reduce gas consumption, and have responded with more widely used shared-transportation systems (subways, busses, trollies, etc.). They have also upped protection rights for pedestrians and cyclists.
Next time that you’re traveling less than a 15-minute drive, consider walking or biking! Many cities have designated bike zones. Not only are you saving the ozone and our air quality, but you’re also bettering yourself by enjoying a healthy activity.
3. Invest in a Home Energy Management System
Home energy management systems reduce energy consumption and cut costs by lowering utility bills. By installing one, you can automate temperature controls, schedule light timers, and create rules to activate or deactivate the home’s security system.
The best part is that all of this can be controlled remotely. Forget to turn a light off? No worries. Just log on via your PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone.
