Earth Day Tips - Easy Ways to Reduce on Earth Day and Beyond

With a hectic lifestyle, it's sometimes hard to think of adding another process such as composting or recycling to an already full household agenda, but there are some simple things you can do to reduce, reuse and recycle that only take a few seconds, but when combined with everyone's efforts, they can reap large environmentally-friendly benefits. Start on Earth Day with one or more of these simple tips and you'll see how easy they are to incorporate into your day, the rest of the year.

• To save water, rather than rinsing off every plate, use a scraper to remove food residue before washing.
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• To save dryer energy: Hang a few garments to dry. Clothing will last longer, look nicer and may not require any pressing/ironing.
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• When washing clothes: Save water by selecting the water level needed and save energy by shortening the cycle if appropriate.
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• Even if you don't have a vegetable garden, mixing coffee grounds and egg shells into your flower beds or pots, helps to enrich the soil. Or start a compost bin with these and vegetable peelings/matter to make a rich compost that you can later transfer to your flower beds.
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• Reduce food waste: Still a bit of vegetables left in the serving dish but not enough to serve tomorrow? Accumulate these small left-overs in a small container in the freezer. Add them later to the soup or stew pot for enhanced flavor.
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• Save time and energy: When boiling or simmering foods, add a cover. Use only the size pot you need and the appropriately-sized element. Consider buying a 2-cup size pot - these are very practical for small amounts.
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• Reduce plastic bag waste: Use reusable bags when shopping for groceries or other small items. You'll be amazed how handy reusable bags are for so many things.
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• Keep a recycle bin handy for those items that can be recycled in your area.
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• Clean without harmful cleansers: Use a microfiber cloth or duster, or steam appliances such as a steam cleaner or steam mop.
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• Reduce plastic waste: Wash and reuse plastic reusable zip-closure type storage bags, drying completely before storing, except for those which were used for meats, poultry and fish.
• Reduce waste: Flatten and recycle cardboard cereal bags after discarding the waxed bag insert.
• Reduce plastic waste: Use a refillable stainless water bottle instead of bottled water.
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Read more tips on saving energy: Energy Saving Tips

Learn more about Earth Day and what you can do at U.S. Earth Day

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Learn more about recycling and reducing waste

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