More Winning Green Tips

General

I couldn't pick just five green tips from last month. I had to pick nine! Being green

can also mean being creative. Some of our winning green tip submissions

show how using a little creativity can make being green fun: 

1. "Buy products that have less packaging ... and buy fruits that are not imported

from other places (because it uses a lot of fuel)."

2. "Use reusable labels on the front of report covers so you can use the cover again with

a new removable label." 

3. "Turn off the water when you are washing your hands (just like brushing teeth). Make

hands wet, turn off water, lather/scrub hands, then turn water back on to rinse. Very

easy and effective!" 

4. "Buy from local farmers, saves [the] fuel costs of transporting food." 

5. "Instead of turning on your lights open your blinds and let the light come in your house."

In the winter, this helps keep your house warmer too! 

6. "Have a Black Out Night once or twice a month. Turn off all the lights in the house and unplug

what you can, light a few candles, and spend an hour or two playing cards, board games, and

hide and seek in the dark. It's a fun way to bond with friends and family and conserve some

energy. I enjoyed black out nights with my cousins." This sounds like a lot of fun and a great

way to spend Halloween.

7. "We are having an Eco-Garden Fairy birthday party for my six-year-old. Invitations are cardboard

from the recycling bin, for the craft, we're making bird feeders from soda bottles from the

recycling bin, and instead of an expensive goodie bag of candy ... the kids will get

a small plant from the farmers' market and a packet of seeds!" What a great way to teach

the little ones how to be green and still have fun!

8. "Use [the] remains of fruits (peels, cores, etc.) as fertilizer."

9. "When you turn on the shower and are waiting for the water to get warm, grab a bucket or

pot and collect the cold water. You can use this water for washing the dog, cleaning dishes,

wetting your hair (if you need to do that to brush it), or watering your plants."