Eco
Friendly Tips for the Responsible Homeowner By Stephanie Warren – Ewing & Assoc. Sotheby’s
Int’l Realty
With companies and builders going “green” and
documentaries calling attention to global warming, every person
can make a difference if they resolve to practice environmentally
friendly consumption. These tips are based on a recent mailing
compiled by the Marketing Department at Ewing & Assoc.
Sotheby’s International Realty. Here are a few ways
you can improve the environment when you Reduce, Reuse and
Recycle.
1) Use reusable containers for food storage
instead of wrapping food in foil or plastic wrap.
2) Use unbleached coffee filters, which do not produce
the deadly toxin dioxin in their manufacturing.
3) Buy compact fluorescent bulbs, which are initially
more expensive but last more than 10 times longer and use
one quarter of the energy of ordinary bulbs.
4) Use rags to wipe up spills instead of paper towels.
5) Turn your water heater down to 130 degrees, which
is hot enough to kill deadly bacteria and still saves energy.
Turn it off completely when you go on vacation.
6) Use latex, low VOC paint instead of oil-based
paint. Oil-based paint, and the chemicals needed to clean
your brushes, is highly toxic and its manufacturing produces
nasty pollutants.
7) If you make a small purchase, don’t take
a bag, or better yet, bring your own reusable cloth bags when
you shop. They also won’t break in the driveway!
8) Buy in bulk – this saves not only on packaging
that you will eventually have to dispose of, but also reduces
the amount of industrial waste and energy required to make
the packaging.
9) Shop for durable, long-lasting products. For example,
use a metal razor instead of disposables or a metal roasting
pan instead of a disposable one.
10) Instead of throwing away items such as furniture,
appliances and clothing, donate them to Goodwill or a battered
women’s shelter and take the tax deduction.
11)
Use
vinegar and water as a substitute for glass cleaner and newspaper
instead of paper towels.
12) Choose biodegradable, non-toxic, chlorine free
cleaning products so the chemicals have less negative impact
on the soil and water system.
13) If you do not own a low flow toilet,
fill a plastic bottle with water or sand and place it in the
tank of your toilet where it will not interfere with the operating
mechanism. This will decrease the amount of water used with
each flush.
14) Turn off the water while brushing your teeth,
shaving or washing your face. Faucets spout 2-3 gallons of
water per minute.
15) Unplug electric appliances when they are not
in use. They consume energy even when they are turned off
and can sometimes be a safety hazard.
16) Start a compost pile; don’t trash your
kitchen and garden waste. You can cut your household’s
waste by 500 pounds per year while creating fertile, organic
soil for your garden.
17) Support local farmers by shopping at a Farmers’
Market to cut down on transportation costs and to find seasonal,
organically grown foods. A lot of energy is wasted by preserving
and shipping food across the country. The Calabasas Farmers’
Market is every Saturday morning with an amazing array of
fresh produce, seafood, flowers and baked goods or go to www.farmernet.com/events/cfms
to find a Farmers’ Market in your area.
18) Consider making your next car a hybrid and plan
your errand route before leaving home to save time and miles.
Make a list so you don’t have to make more than one
trip to any one location.
