We all think of it now and again. What should we be doing? How do we do our part in helping the environment? Beyond sending ec0 friendly Earth Day cards in recognition of Earth Day, we alos put together a list of 8 simple things we can all do to help save the planet. How many can you pledge to do?
Pay attention to how you use water.
Little changes can make a big difference. Turn off the faucet when you don’t need it on. Wash your clothes in cold water when you can. Try drinking tap water instead of bottled water, so you aren’t wasting all that packaging as well. Consider investing in a stainless steel reusable water bottle to meet your water bottle needs.
Leave your car at home whenever you can
Carpooling or riding the bus to work even once or twice a week can make a huge difference. Or, try combining your errands into one trip. Go to the grocery store, post office and dry cleaners all in one trip. Not only will it save you gas, it will also save you time!
Recycle whatever you can. 
You can help reduce pollution just by putting that soda can in the correct bin. If you’re trying to choose between two products, pick the one with the least packaging.
Start composting.
Reducing the amount of solid waste you send with the garbage truck helps in many different ways. Not only does it take up less space in landfills, it reduces the number of trips the garbage trucks have to make. An added bonus is that compost makes a great natural fertilizer – and it is easier than you think!
Change your light bulbs
Go ahead and bite the bullet. They are more expensive, but compact fluorescent light bulbs can save you money in the long run. They end up paying for themselves in about 6 months and will save about $30 over their lifetime. The best part is that they last about 10 times longer than regular bulbs – so you have to change them a lot less!
Don’t throw out printer cartridges.
Most printer cartridges are designed to be refilled. Not only is refilling them better for the environment, it is also cheaper than buying a new one. Businesses can also save a lot of money by refilling their cartridges. If your workplace does not do it already, propose the idea. You can get credit for saving them a lot!
Turn your air conditioning one degree warmer or your heating one degree cooler
Every degree that you turn them down saves a lot of energy – and money. By changing your thermostat, you can see changes in your home heating and cooling bill. Remember, you don’t need to be frozen on hot days, or toasty warm on cold ones – you just need to make yourself comfortable.
Buy Recycled
By purchasing products made from recycled materials, you help keep the green cycle turning. Look for the recycling symbol on products and packaging. If you have a choice between a product made from recycled materials and one that is not, choose the recycled one. It may cost a little more, but you can not put a price tag on helping the environment.
Even small changes can make a big difference. Have a great Earth Day!
