3 Things You Can Do Right Now

1. Download the new Ecofont and cut ink usage by up to 20%!

2. Change your computer settings to hibernate mode when not in use.

3. Make the switch to e-statements.

Gift Giving

4. 'Tis the season for giving gifts! Check out the GreenCupboards sponsored Green Gifts for All for our Top Green Gift Lists.

5.  The old saying, "Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime." Rings true! Give the gift of time and knowledge of skills like gardening, photography, canning, decorating, using new technology, etc.

6. Instead of giving cut flowers, give your date a potted plant. Added bonus: the plant will continue to give more flowers with proper care!

7. Give the gift of a good time--check out our Four Great Seasonal Dates--and give "coupons" for each of these dates.

8. Plant a tree! Seriously. Plant one yourself for someone or, visit http://www.conservationfund.org/gozero.

Students & School

9. Did you know…? Nearly 30% of all cleaning chemicals used in schools in the United States can be harmful to the health of the educators and students. Talk to your school's administrators about using greener cleaning options, which are healthier and better for the environment as well.

10. Are you a student? Try purchasing e-books (electronic versions of books). Some can be downloaded to your computer while others are available completely online.

11. Choose refillable lead pencils over pens. Millions of pens are thrown away each year, so the more you can use again the better.

12. Need book covers for school? Forget spending several dollars for each store-bought fabric cover, and use brown paper bags instead!

13. When packing lunches, avoid brown bags and opt for reusable lunch boxes made from stainless steel or recyclable plastic.

Personal Care

14. Avoid buying disposable razors and other disposable products for one-time uses whenever possible. These products add extra, unnecessary waste to our landfills.

15. Air dry your hair. That hairdryer in your bathroom uses approximately 100-1800 kilowatts of power, whereas a computer uses only 100 watts (and an average lightbulb 60 watts). Check out the U.S. Department of Energy page about typical energy usage for common appliances.

16. Did you know …? Nail polish can be one of the most toxic products containing ingredients like formaldehyde and toluene? Opt for eco-friendly water-based options like SunCoat.  

17. Many of the lotions that we use on a daily basis are made with preservatives called parabens, which are found in many lotions and other personal care products. However, these chemicals can have negative effects on your health, so check labels to make sure that the items you're purchasing are "paraben-free." To learn more about parabens, see this page by the Environmental Working Group.

18. Is your makeup safe? Do a chack of the cosmetics database. Simply enter the products you use, and see what they score on a scale of 0 (best) to 10 (worst).

19. Bar soap is cheaper usually than body wash, and comes in vegetable or glycerin formulas, which are naturally occurring ingredients.

Home

20. Use a water heater blanket/tank insulator (average cost between $10-15) to save 10-40% more energy.

21. Save energy with a power strip. You can even put it on a timer! This is a great idea for items such as televisions, radios, and other items that are used consistently during only a few hours of the day.

22. Did you know … ? The typical family spends over $2,200 a year on energy bills? Cut your spending by buying energy efficient appliances, and see how much you save! Courtesty of livingzero.org.

23. Recycle your #5 plastics! Polypropylene, better known as plastic #5, can be recycled back into its original form, or it can be made into products such as buckets, paint pails, automotive bumpers, automotive battery cases, furniture, and flower pots, according to Earth911.

24. Make sure your attic is insulated to save money year-round on heating and cooling.

25. Switch all your light bulbs to energy-efficient Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs. They last nearly 10 times longer than traditional light bulbs.  

Remodeling

26. Opt for cork floors--created from the bark of the cork oak tree, which can be sustainably harvested, this material is water resistant, and makes a green alternative flooring option for kitchens and bathrooms.

27. If you consider the chemicals that go into paint, carpet, and non-green cleaning solutions you can easily see how the air in your home quickly becomes toxic to your health. Look for those paint and cleaning products that are "VOC-free."

28. Little changes like using non-VOC paint, buying eco-friendly baby furniture, using an organic crib mattress and avoiding conventional carpeting are the first step to greening your nursery. Not only will making eco-conscious choices for your nursery give you a greener home, they'll help you keep your baby healthy too.

Water Usage

29. Did you know … ? One billion people worldwide live without access to clean, safe drinking water.

30. Turn off the faucet while you brush your teeth and while you scrub the dishes.

31. Instead of using the water in your shower or bath to relax after a long day, keep it short and add a on a long walk, a little extra exercise, and read to relax.

32. Did you know … ? An estimated 40 millionn acres of the 48 contiguous American states are covered in lawns, making grass the largest irrigated crop? Courtesy of Planet Green.

33. If you can, try to limit your showers to seven minutes or less. Read our 10 Easy Steps to an Eco-Friendly Shower.

34. Did you know … ? A leaky faucet can waste approximately 20 gallons of water per day? Do a walk around your home every few months to make sure you're not wasting excess water, and fix any problems as needed.

35. Instead of running the kitchen faucet while you wash dishes, try the following method to save yourself a few gallons of water. Save an empty glass cleaner spray bottle, fill it with hot water, add a squirt of liquid dish soap, and shake vigorously--voila! You've got a water-efficient way to wash dishes that will not use more than 32 oz of water (based on an average sized glass cleaning spray bottle).

36. Did you know… ? It takes 1/3 the amount of water to neutralize one dose of Ecover brand laundry product as compare to traditional non-green options.

Gardening

37. Make it a New Year's Resolution to start gardening in 2010. Already have a garden? Resolve to increase your garden's food growing capacity by at least 10%.

38. Say goodbye to your lawn and hello to a garden!

39. Want to start a garden from seed? Check out SeedSavers.

40. Curious about heirloom seeds, or never heard of them? These are varieties of plants that have been passed down through the generations and typically have better flavors and disease resistance qualities than other options you'll find at the store. Try them in your garden in 2010 and see the difference for yourself!

41. Are you an apartment dweller without the space for a garden? If you have a porch--start a garden on it by purchasing a few pots to grow veggies in.

42. No space for a garden? Check online to see if your community has a Community Garden! Share the work and time necessary for a garden and share the benefits with your neighbors!

43. Try gardening with native plants! These plants are indigenous to your area and are already suited to climate and water needs that are naturally present to your area. Check out plantnative.org to find indigenous plants in your region.

44. Pesticide, yikes! Make today the day that you go organic. Google "Dirty Dozen" list of best produce items to buy organic, to minimize your exposure to harmful agricultural chemicals.

45. Ditch imported, expensive spices by growing your own! It's a bundle of fun to get a seed catalog and choose exactly what you typically use and want to grow.

46. Starting a garden? Use heirloom seeds! These seeds have been saved by families, generation after generation, and typically are more disease resistant and are more unique than your average plant strains with better flavor, looks, and character.

Paper Usage

47. Use online banking to save unnecessary paper, ink, and non-renewable energy used for paper statements sent via postal mail.

48. Keep a basket next to your printer to toss paper into that still has one good side. Before you open a new pack of paper, use what's in the bin first.

49. Always print front to back and on a toner-saver mode.

50. Avoide using paper towels. If every U.S. household reduced its paper towel consumption by only 3 rolls we could save 120 tons of waste from being created and sent to landfills. Opt for viscose towels, sponges, and other reusable options.

Energy Usage

51. Turn off your computer when the day is done. Energy is lost when in hibernation or sleep mode.

52. When leaving the office each evening, make sure to turn off all the lights and your computer and monitor as well.

53. Unplug all appliances when not in use.

Home Cleaning

54. Carpet cleaning fluid, and chemical based floor, bathroom, and kitchen cleaners can be toxic, and are all hazards to a pet's health, as well as yours--make sure to clean safely and naturally using green products.

55. Do you know what dryer sheets are made out of? Read this article, Tuesday Tips: Dryer Sheets, to find out.

56. Non-green dryer sheets use oils to combat static cling, and thus end up coating your laundry in chemicals that eventually impair the absorbency of towels and can irritate your family's skin. Avoid these, as they're made from non-renewable resources and their waste ends up in landfills. Want to know more?

57. Did you know… ? Non-green laundry detergents can leave residues that linger on clothes--and therefore your skin as well? And not only that, but many can lead to the corrosion of your washer and dryer through their build-up.

58. Just like Grandma told you … Make sure you save some newspaper from your recycling to use with a natural glass cleaner. Just make sure the paper is more than 2 days old, so the ink won't cause streaks or leave behind residue.

59. Buy concentrated versions of your favorite products--less weight and decreased size means less packaging that ends up in landfills and less carbon emissions due to shipping.

60. Non-green alternatives to tub and tile cleaner can be among the most toxic household cleaning products. Make sure that you dispose of these products responsibly. Check with friends and neighbors first to see if they can use your leftovers. If you still need to get rid of them, find a local hazardous waste collection facility that iwll safely dispose of these products for you.

61. Here's a green remedy to remove red wine stains from the carpet: blot the area to remove as much as possible, saturate a clean sponge with a mixture made of one cup of peroxide and one teaspoon of dish soap, squeeze the sponge over the stain, blot, dab with warm water, and blot until dry. Be sure to test your carpet for colorfastness first!

62. Did you know … ? Non-green toilet bowl cleaners usually contain nasty chemcials such as phosphoric acid (phosphates) and sulfuric acid (battery acid)? Recently, we've heard a lot about phosphates in the water contributing to numerous problems (among them is the growth of algae, which depletes the oxygen level necessary for other aquatic life). Make sure you know what you're buying, and go green!

63. To protect your drains and keep them running smoothly, take this preventative step … Use natural cleaners found in most households--baking soda, hot water, and salt. Add a cup each of baking soda and salt to a full pot of boiling water. Slowly pour this mixture down the drain to maintain completely clean pipes. This lessens the chance that you'll have to use a drain cleaner, and if you do, you'll find it works much more efficiently.

64. Cellulose sponges are made from cellulose (aka "roughage") which is part of every plant. Make sure it remains a viable renewable resource by planting trees, or paying someone ot plant a few for you! Visit www.carbonfund.org to learn more.

65. When cleaning natural stone, it is crucial to use only those products that are labeled specifically for use with it. You should never use harsh powder cleaners, generic soap, mildew stain removers or strong disinfectants as they will damage the stone.

66. Use leftover lime and lemon rinds in the garbage disposal for deodorizing. Cut into strips and stuff them down the disposal.

67. Clean your dryer's lint filter and slash energy usage by as much as 30%! A full lint screen equals more energy used to dry clothes, and takes longer.

68. Ever tried drying your laundry on a line like grandma did? Grab some rope and laundry clips and give it a shot.

Clothing

69. Tired of your clothes? Don't head to the nearest mall, plan a clothing swap party with friends. Send e-invites online, and plan for everyone to donate 5 items and come away with 5 items.

70. Look for clothing made form organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, and/or beech. These fabrics are breathable and great for summer and winter (just make sure you layer in the colder months).

71. Stuff a few eco-friendly dryer sheets (like those from Mountain Green) in your purse for static control on-the-go, and avoid using non-green static eliminator sprays.

72. Shop vintage! Rather than buying something new, find an antique.

Purchasing

73. Close the loop. Buy recycled products and recycle everything you can.

74. Did you know… ? In many recentlyconducted studies, it has been found that the difference between regular soap and antibacterial soap is hardly noticeable in killing germs? Antibacterial soaps aren't necessarily more effective in killing bacteria, so avoid buying antibacterials and opt for natural, safer vegetable-based soaps.

75. Did you know that most scented products are perfumed and contain harmful compounds called phthalates, which have been linked to endocrine disruption that has the potential to cause birth defects as well as cancer? For more info on phthalates, visit the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and our Green Glossary.

76. Time to replace your washing machine? Shop for the most water efficient versions with the ENERGY STAR logo. An ENERGY STAR washer can save you hundreds of dollars in operating costs over its lifetime, and is also friendlier to the environment by using less water and energy.

Entertaining

77. Throwing a party? A keg holds 15.5 gallons of beer. That's the equivalent of about 140 party cups full of beer. Read Green Your Party Scene for more ideas.

Eating

78. Want to know what goes into your food? Read this expose on Food, Inc. the movie, then join the Facebook Fan Page, and see the movie for yourself!

79. Did you know that the items found in your local grocery store travel, on average, 1,500 miles to get there? So before you buy an avocado from Chile, think of the non-renewable energy that was used to transport it, and check out your local farmer's market instead, where you'll find the freshest produce available and support your local farmers while filling your fridge with healthy goodness. Check localharvest.org or sustainabletable.org for a list of farmers' markets in your area.

80. Buy locally grown fruits and vegetables. The flavors and condition of these items will be superior to what you find in the store because they haven't traveled nearly as far.

Pets

81. Lyme disease is a deadly disease for dogs and cats alike. Perform daily tick checks and protect your pet with the use of an all-natural bug repellent.

82. Do the humane things by having your pet spayed or neutered. You'll help reduce the 3-4 million homeless dogs and cats that are euthanized each year.

83. Even when you've cleaned up a stain so that you can't see or smell it, your dog and cat have a much more powerful sense of smell--about 10 times more powerful! Your pet may return to the same location and do the same thing if the spot is not well cleaned the first time.

Kids & Babies

84. Mothers (and fathers) that bottle-feed their baby can still be conscious of the environment. Glass bottles are best, but some plastic bottles are better for the environment than others. Also, look for organic formula alternatives.

85. Go green by making your own baby food or buying organic instead.

86. Did you know … ? The average baby goes through approximately 6,000 diapers before he/shee is potty-trained. Cloth diapers are an eco-friendly alternative to their disposable counterparts.

87. Protect your baby's extremely sensitive skin by limiting exposure to rough fabrics like wool, and your baby will be less likely to experience irritated skin or rashes.

88. Consider foregoing baby powder and conventional baby bum creams, and use natural alternatives instead. Corn starch-based baby powder is a great natural alternative, and the Baby Bum Bar is also an excellent natural alternative for diaper rash.

89. Since babies typically need extra equipment when they travel, it's a good idea to look into buying the eco-friendliest options. For example, if you need bottles when you're out and about, glass is better than plastic, and some plastics are better than others. Also, when you're looking to buy a car seat or stroller, you can find some that have less of an impact on the environment if you shop around.

90. Most babies will put whatever they can into their mouths, so choose natural options for toys and other products for the safety of your child.

91. Wood toys and organic or homemade stuffed animals are your best options for greening the baby's toys.

92. Show the way: Simply seeing you toss your cans in the recycling bin or turn off the lights when leaving the room will introduce your little one to an eco-friendly lifestyle early on.

93. See our GreenKids page for do-it-yourself, eco-friendly projects and games.

Work & Transportation

94. A well-tuned car burns less gas, so change your air filters and oil regularly, and keep the air in your tires full to cut down on energy usage.

95. Carpool when you can with a group of people who live near you.

96. Take public transportation! Your taxes paid for it and it's convenient once you learn the schedule.

97. If it's possible, ask to work from home a day or two a week. Telecommuting is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint because you avoid transportation all together (and it save money on gas).

98. Ask your boss if a compressed work week is possible for your position and work four 10-hour days, rather than five 8-hour days--reducing the time, money, and energy spent traveling to and from work (not to mention avoiding the stress of rush hour traffic one day a week).

99. Email us your questions at askvictoria@greencupboards.com to have our advice columnist send you a reply, and possibly be featured in the Ask Victoria column next month!