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Some Eco-friendly tips:
- Water, although it seems to be plentiful from the perspective of middle-class Northern-Virginians, is one of the most
(if not the most) valuable resources on the planet. Let's not take it for granted--besides, the more water
you use, the more energy it takes to pump and purify (and sometimes heat) that water.
- Only run the washing machine and dishwasher when full so you don't use it as often
- Use less water pressure and/or take less time in the shower
- Turn off the sink while you brush your teeth
- Oil (and Gasoline, which is made from it) is another precious natural resource. Burning it to power our electric
plants and cars and trucks is a tremendous factor in the pollution of our planet's atmosphere. Additionally, oil spills
can wreak tremendous (and often permanent) damage to the environment! Let's try to reduce our oil consumption:
- Walk if it's under a mile (or ride your bike!)
- Turn off lights and the tv when you leave the room
- Write your state and federal congressional representatives to let them know that you care about less-poluting
energy sources.
- In addition to oil pollution, there are plenty of other chemicals that don't belong in nature; every time we wash our
cars or clean our bathtubs and toilets, water carries these often toxic chemicals back into the ground, into our rivers, and
eventually into our oceans--that dirt and water is not only the stuff that helps plants grow and animals to survive--but we
use it too! There are a number of cleaning products out there that are more sensitive to this than your average cleaners.
- One of these is "Method", which can be found at Target, Harris Teeter, and Whole Foods among other retailers.
- Can you find others?
- Sometimes plain water will do just fine.
- In that line of thought, being a more conscientious consumer can be a benefit to our environment. Here are Catharine's
picks for good economic stewardship:
- Organic Cotton Clothes: Patagonia, The Gap , EMS, REI
- Organic and Eco-conscious food: Whole Foods
- Fair-trade and organic coffee: Murky Coffee
- Music and movies by Eco-Celebrities: Jack Johnson (Musician), Leo DiCaprio (Actor) --each of them donate a significant
portion of their proceeds to environmental causes.
- Harry Potter Books: Raincoast Books (Canadian publisher--raincoast.com--that uses 100% recycled paper), Scholastic
(65% recycled paper)
- Recycle your fleece, polypro, or capilene: drop off is available at Patagonia stores
- Recycle your ink cartridges and rechargeable batteries: any Staples store
- Recycle your old cell phone!: Sprint Project Connect - 2863 Clarendon Blvd., Verizon Wireless
Hopeline - 4238 Wilson Blvd.
- Do you have any tips to add? Talk to Elizabeth Marie!
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