Switching to simple and doable initiatives can save you money and reduce carbon emissions at the same time – approximately $2500 and 19,419 pounds of CO2 for a year. Patti Prairie, CEO of Brighter Planet tells us how.
1. Be frugal: Be wary of what you buy. If you must buy items, purchase them at little or no cost. Trade in what you don’t need or donate them to thrift shops or charities. Savings: $564, 2902 lbs.
2. Change driving habits: A few driving tips - drive smoothly; keep tires inflated; avoid idling; drive below 55 mph - to help your pocket and the environment. Savings: $385, 2822 lbs.
3. Save up on travel: If you must fly, choose direct non-stop flights. Fly economy class and book daytime flights to reduce your share of emissions. Use the Internet, phone, or video conference in lieu of air travel once a year. Savings: $347, 2492 lbs
4. Adjust laundry: Washing and drying eight laundry loads weekly is costly. Wash half of that load with cold water and hang them to dry, and you will cut costs. Savings: $287, 3211 lbs.
5. Reduce meat intake: Limiting your intake of meat to three times a week can save you money and reduce methane gas. Savings: $285, 1107 lbs.
6. Commute or carpool: Commute, take public transportation, or carpool two days a week to save up. Savings: $276, 1177 lbs.
7. Save water: Shift to shorter showers, or inexpensive low-flow shower heads that consume only half of the water compared to profligate counterparts. Savings: $194, 2123 lbs.
8. Use CFLs: Outfit your home with compact fluorescent and other energy-saving bulbs. Savings: $188, 1429 lbs.
9. Intelligent heating and cooling: Have a programmable thermostat installed to avoid heating/cooling when your house is empty or when you are asleep. Savings: $131, 1413 lbs.
10. Power down: Use power strips, power management settings for computers, and unplug chargers to prolong the life of your appliances and reduce emissions. Savings: $64, 743 lbs.
