Posts Tagged ‘go green’

How to Help the Environment Go Green

Saturday, September 12th, 2009

How to help the environment is a concern for all inhabitants of this world. For some the issue is more pressing than others. For the islands that make up the Archipelago which is the Maldives Islands, the rising tides are a major concern today. This little country of 1,192 coral islands is located in the Indian Ocean. The highest point on all of the islands is just 4.9 feet or 1.5 meters. This is the lowest country in the world.

In 2004 when the Tsunami hit, 69 of the islands were completely overrun by the wave and another 30 were half consumed by the tidal wave. With the estimated rise in sea level to reach over 7 inches by the end of the century, these islands will become more dangerous to live on with each and every passing storm.

Maldives is the first to face the drastic changes this world is going through. Where will their population go to is still unknown. A sea wall has been erected around the capital but this is not economically feasible for each and every island in the archipelago. Soon there will not be a choice but for this entire country to become the first casualty in the war against climate change. Most other low lying countries are on continents and have higher land like Bangladesh. Their population can move north.

The world has to take notice and change their habits of using the environment as their own personal dumping ground. It is probable too late to save the Maldives islands but if change starts today we could save other land masses. In the United States the state of Florida is only a sand bar and for the most part will also be under water along with large parts of Louisiana.  One activist group that is raising money to create awareness about the Louisiana coastline is  For the Bayou at http://forthebayou.org/blog1/.  Every 30 minutes Louisiana loses one football field of coastal wetlands.

We as people of this great earth need to learn how to help save the environment in order to help save ourselves.  We at WaytoGoGreen.org are in full support of all efforts.  Thank you for your concern.

Get Cash for Your Used Electronic Equipment

Tuesday, May 12th, 2009

We all have oodles of used electronic equipment laying around in drawers and boxes and we all are going to sell them, or donate them, or recycle them, when we get a round tuit.

C’mon you know who you are.  We have actually sold a few items of  used electronic equipment on eBay and Craigslist but it is a hassle and then they go in the box, on on the shelf, in the drawer.  Out of site – out of mind.

Now Gazelle to the go green rescue!  Gazelle.com is a company that will purchase your; used computers, tv’s, mp3 players, iPods, cell phones, audio equipment and just about all types of reusable electronic equipment.  This is one of the best places for cell phone recycling and who doesn’t have a bunch of those lying around.

This company operates a very green business and we have heard nothing but good things about them.  You can select a category; fill out the checklist of items that you have to sell and give a description of condition and items that go with them, such as original packaging, manuals, original software, cables, etc.

Then you submit your entry online and they will make a cash offer for your used electronics.  Once you decide to accept the offer you can print out a label from their website and shipping will be paid by the buyer. OK you might get a little higher price if you sell directly to an end user, but this is the no hassle way.

They will notify you when the item is received, then it takes about a week for them to inspect it and approve that it meets your agreed to description and then they will issue you a check or pay you instantly through your PayPal account.

Gazelle goes one step further in the reuse – recycle – donation way of going green in that you may elect to have the payment made directly to your favorite charity.  Everybody wins!  So whether you want to get cash for your used electronic equipment and gadgets or if you want to recycle and donate at the same time we heartily recommend Gazelle.

Best Way To Save Money and Go Green

Tuesday, December 9th, 2008

In the drive to save the environment, we find there are a lot of little things we can do. Ironically, a few of these go green things will not only save the planet, but they can actually help you save money too. Here are some of the Best Ways To Save Money while still living a go green lifestyle.

Conserve energy:
The easiest way to save money around the house is by simply shutting off the lights whenever you leave a room. Also, try using small lamps for lighting, and use low wattage light bulbs. These will all work to lower your electric bill while saving energy. Also, unplug any appliances not in use when gone during the day. Things like coffee pots, televisions and DVD’s, and even lamps will still use electricity, even when not in use.

Vehicle maintenance:
Keep your car properly tuned up. By maintaining a few simple things on your vehicle, you’ll end up saving money in gas. Keeping your tires at the right pressure, keeping your engine in top condition, and changing spark plugs can also save the environment by releasing fewer emissions into the atmosphere.

Save on groceries:
You can also save a lot of money at the grocery store by buying generic brand names, rather than bigger name brands. Most times, you’re basically getting the same product, just spending less money. Also, make sure to buy products packaged in ways that can be reused, such as glass jars or plastic bottles. These items can be washed and reused several times.

Though there are many other ideas, these are some of the Best Ways To Save Money and still save the environment. It’s amazing to know that as you work to manage your money, you’ll also be doing your part to save the planet.

Lets hear some ideas from you. Leave a Reply.

How to Go Green at Work

Saturday, December 6th, 2008

You’ve done your part for the environment in your home, and have made changes to the way you live your life. But, do you know How To Go Green At Work? It doesn’t matter if you’re an employee with a major company, or running a small business, there are a lot of ways that you can save the environment while at work. It all comes down to asking yourself about How To Go Green At Work.

Save Electricity:
If you are one of the thousands of people who work in a cubicle, you might think that you can’t do much in the go green movement, but nothing could be further from the truth. First of all, when leaving for the day, make sure to turn off your lights, computer, and other electrical items. Go one step further and unplug a few of these things. Even when you shut something off, it still uses electricity. But, when you take an extra minute to unplug something, you stop the electric flow and save energy.

Recycle Paper:
In an office, you probably use tons of paper everyday. Don’t throw out any memos or in-office letters. Many of these use only one side of the paper, and the other side can be used as scratch paper or be turned into make-shift notepads. When you have a small stack of papers, cut them into smaller squares, then staple at the top. You can use these sheets of scratch paper to jot down ideas, phone numbers, or even write down a few of the things you need to get at the market. You’ve just done your part by reusing something that would normally have been tossed out.

Did You Walk to Work, or Carry Your Lunch?
How many times have you ordered in because you couldn’t leave your desk for lunch? You can do a lot for the environment by taking your lunch to work. By placing your lunch in reusable containers, you have nothing to throw out when you’re done eating. Use regular utensils rather than plastic, and carry it all in a bag that you can reuse over and over again. This way, you can eat something healthy and have nothing to throw out in the end.

Responsible Business Owners:
As a business owner, there are a few things that you can do in order to do your part as well. For starters, save any shipping containers that you might get. Cardboard boxes can be reused for a number of things. Also, look into adding energy saving equipment into your business. They might cost a little extra in the beginning, but will save you a lot of money in the end. Plus, you’ll be doing your part in conserving energy.

Recycle Bins:
Another thing you might do is set out recycling bins for your employees. When they see that you are trying to do your part, they’ll be more than happy to do theirs. To save money, you can use regular large garbage receptacles with placards on the front telling what goes where. Once these are full, take them to your local recycling center and reap the rewards. For more incentive, let your employees know that all proceeds will go to a charity, or even toward the annual Christmas party.

Go Green:
Going green isn’t something that should only be done at home. As you think of How To Go Green At Work, remember that even the smallest endeavors can make a difference. When you work to do your part, you might find that others around you will try and do theirs as well. Before you know it, you’ve helped someone else join the “go green” movement.

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How to Go Green with Cleaning Products

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008

There are a number of common household items that are great to use for cleaning around your home. Here are some examples of How to Go Green with Cleaning Products.

Peroxide: It does more than bleach your hair! This can be used instead of bleach when doing laundry. It’s also great for cleaning out humidifiers and disinfecting toothbrushes.

Baking soda: Not just for baking! Baking soda helps eliminate odors. Use it in the bathroom for scrubbing the tub or sink. Try sprinkling it in your oven, then spray it with water until damp, leave it overnight, and then wipe your oven clean in the morning.

White vinegar: Great for killing bacteria, cutting grease or wax buildup, removing mildew and it even works great for cleaning out teapots or coffee pots. Just add about half a cup to a few cups of water, boil, and rinse well. (For the coffee pot, run the water and vinegar through twice, then run plain water through and rinse.)

Lemon juice: Squeeze half a lemon in your garbage can for a natural deodorizer. It also cuts grease and removes stains.

Olive oil: Put some olive oil on a clean cloth and use for polishing wood furniture.

Club soda: Not just for removing stains! It also polishes and if put in a spray bottle is a great all purpose cleaner. It works very well on windows.

Castile soap: A vegetable-based soap that cuts grease, disinfects, and works well as an all purpose cleaner. Castile soap comes in a variety of scents from almond to peppermint or unscented.

Cornstarch: This is great for picking up spills from juice, coffee, or even wine.

What do you have to say? Do you have additional tips on How to Go Green with Cleaning Products? Please leave a comment and share your ideas, or to ask any questions.

Thanks for reading.

Going Green in the Grocery Store

Monday, December 1st, 2008

The grocery store is a great place to go green with these simple tips! When shopping for produce, Organic Food Stores are best, even though our budgets don’t think so.

Buy Local:
Buying our fruits and vegetables from local growers is a green solution. Farmers markets and road side stands scatter areas all over. Check out Craigslist dot org for your locality and search for terms like organic, home grown, green living.

Use Coupons:
Check the Sunday paper for your store’s sale ad and coupons. These can help you think of meals for the week and a more precise grocery list. Without a general idea of what to get, you end up spending more money on things that you “think” you need. This leads to wasted food and ultimately wasted money.

Recycle:
Look for products with reusable, or recyclable packaging. For instance, reusable packages would include glass jars or even margarine/butter tubs for leftovers. As far as recyclable packages, look for plastics with a #1 on the bottom. This type of plastic is most commonly accepted at recycling centers. As you get higher in number (#2 – #7), it is less likely to actually be recycled.

Reusable:
Bring your own reusable bags with you when you shop. Organic Food Stores have programs for shoppers to earn free bags, there are mail in rebates for free bags, or you can spend a few bucks to buy some. Either way by having just two or three reusable bags, you’re making a difference. Plus they can be used for more than just groceries!

Lets Give A Round Of Applause To The Green Technology Companies

Saturday, November 29th, 2008

When it comes to “going green”, there are a lot of things a person can do around their own areas to improve the environment. However, it’s not enough to have a handful of people working toward a better tomorrow. It takes people, businesses, and organizations working together to really make a difference. As time goes by, many Green Technology Companies are coming to light and doing their part for environmental protection.

Renewable Energy Resources:
The German-based company, Siemens, is working hard to improve the way they do business. They are implementing renewable energy sources, such as wind energy and geothermal heating, in order to decrease the amount of carbon dioxides into the atmosphere. They have even created a new gas-fired power plant that will make strides in saving energy.

Auto Makers Recycling:
Auto makers are even trying to improve the way they do business. Companies such as Toyota and Subaru are working to save the environment. Subaru has created a Zero Landfill Waste factory that goes far beyond the call of duty. Many of the things that would normally be thrown out, are either reused or recycled. There are even several recycle bins throughout the Indiana plant, in order for the employees to continue the fight.

Electric Cars:
Electric Cars are becoming more prominent, ranging from the little mini-sized courier vehicles to the Prius, and to the exotic new Tesla Electric Car. The advancements in new lithium battery designs are making electric cars practical and affordable.

As more Green Technology Companies come to the forefront of the “go green” movement, the environment gains another chance at rebirth. When these companies reuse and recycle their waste products, reduce the emissions released into the air, and find ways to work with renewable energies, everybody wins. If an entire company can go green, there’s no reason why a single person can’t do the same.