Monday, Sept. 22
Today’s Tip: Clean windows with vinegar.
Instead of harsh chemical sprays, get those windows and mirrors crystal clear with a simple solution of distilled white vinegar, newspaper and a little elbow grease. You’ll save money and the hassle of needing to stock more toxic cleaning supplies.

It’s simple: Mix two tablespoons of distilled white vinegar with a gallon of water, and put the mixture in a spray bottle. Squirt on, then scrub with newspaper, not paper towels which cause streaking.

If you run out of vinegar, or don’t like the smell, you can substitute straight lemon juice or club soda. Don’t dilute either in water. And rub with newspaper.
See, it’s simple. Always look for the simple, natural solution first. It’s usually the green solution.

Tuesday, Sept. 23
Today’s Tip: Walk
In the United States, 25% of trips are under a mile, but we make 75% of those trips by car. Next time you’re running an errand of less than a mile, walk instead. If you make this a daily practice, you’ll save big on gas and cut down on air pollution. Walking one mile each day instead of driving saves you about 15 cents a day on gas.

Walking ten one-mile trips each week, instead of driving, keeps 500 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions from entering the atmosphere per year. If 10,000 people walk five miles a week instead of driving, in a year we’ll eliminate the CO2 created by 240 cars.
Walking yields social benefits, as well. It’s easier to interact with other people when you’re not stuck behind the wheel.

Plus it’s good exercise. Even at a slow pace, you’ll burn around 100 calories per mile.

Consistent exercise from walking reduces the risk of diabetes and heart disease.

So, this week, make one simple change. Instead of driving to that short errand, walk.

From IdealBite, 9.8.08

Wednesday, Sept. 24
Today’s Tip: Kill the phantom load.
The surest way to kill phantom electricity (otherwise known as standby power or low power mode) is to simply pull the plug. That means when you’re done with your coffee pot, microwave, hair dryer, toaster, and other devices, disconnect them totally from their power source.

Next to the TV--which can draw 12 watts of electricity even after you flick off your favorite TV show--the biggest standby energy hog is the home computer and its suite of devices. A printer can draw 11.5 watts when idling, and a subwoofer 10.8. Plug them all into a power strip and, when you’re through using them, turn off the power strip.

A power strip costs about $30 at your nearest hardware store and will pay for itself in as little as six weeks.

From thedailygreen, #872

Thursday, Sept. 25
Today’s Tip: Save a bird—buy recycled paper.
Even recycled toilet paper is a good green bargain.
And if that rubs you the wrong way, at least choose recycled napkins, paper towels, office paper, and other paper products. It’s calculated that Americans toss so much office paper that a year’s worth would stretch from Los Angeles to New York and stand 12 feet tall.
Considering that logging of the boreal forest in Canada and Siberia is happening at a lightning-quick pace that is proving too speedy for many songbirds that live there, the feathered friend at the feeder can serve as an everyday reminder of the importance of the simple choice—recycled paper, please.

From thedialygreen, #2732

Friday, Sept. 26
Today’s Tip: Skip unneeded photo doubles
Cut down on waste, as well as use of toxic chemicals, by saying no to doubles at the photo shop, unless you really plan to use them.

Although more and more of us are going digital, we still order mountains of high-color glossies, both due to traditional film cameras and services that work with electronic photos. Many photo processors offer free or greatly discounted doubles to customers, but huge numbers of those prints end up languishing in drawers for years, and are eventually tossed out. Not only is that a waste of space and resources, but their production requires heavy amounts of chemicals.

Processing is the most expensive part of photography, which suggests that considerable labor and materials are required. The waste generated by photo processing contains silver compounds, some of which are toxic. Borates are also common, which can harm plant and aquatic life. Various non-biodegradable chemicals are also used as surfactants, washing aids and bleaching agents. Some can release toxic cyanide, benzene, or carcinogenic hexavalent chromium in the environment.
Instead of doubles, save negatives that come with your prints, or archive your photos digitally. That way, you can make reproductions later for images you really want.

From thedailygreen, #5505