Earth Day eco tips and finds

Apr 20, 2012
Marisa Machak

Sunday is Earth Day and you might be wondering what you can do to “go green.” Look no further! The World Watch Institute, an environmental research and advocacy organization has compiled a list of 10 easy tips to live a more sustainable way of life. Check them out below as well as some Earth Day items available on theFoundary.com, the luxury home and lifestyle flash site that offers up to 60 percent off retail prices. Now is the time to “go green or go home.”

1. To save on heating and air conditioning costs, set your thermostat a few degrees lower in the winter and a few degrees higher in the summer.

2. When your old incandescent bulbs burn out, install compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs).

3. Take shorter showers. This will reduce water use and your water and heating bills as well.

4. Get a low-flow showerhead. They are inexpensive and will also create higher water and energy savings.

5. Buy locally raised, humane and organic meat, eggs and dairy from farmers in your community as much as possible to keep money in your own economy.

6. Instead of buying bottled water, use a water filter to purify tap water. Bottled water can be expensive and generates large amounts of container waste.

7. To make effective, non-toxic cleaning products instantly, all you need are a few simple ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, lemon and soap. Try it!

8. Walk, bike or carpool to work. This will improve traffic, save gas and lower parking costs. But most importantly, it can improve your cardiovascular health while reducing your risk of obesity.

9. When you make a purchase, you should understand that the “good stuff” is eco-friendly stuff. Here are some great finds from the Foundary: eco-friendly slipper boots, an eco-friendly bamboo soap dispenser and Earth Pan eco-friendly cooking pans.

via the Foundary

10. It is always better to invest in high-quality, long-lasting products. Even though you will pay more now, you will feel great when you do not have to replace items as frequently, which means less waste. Here are some recycled items from the Foundary that you should check out: recycled wine bottle vase, storage cubes made from 99 percent recycled materials and some wall planters made from 100 percent recycled materials.