Ten Cheap – Even Free! – Ways to Go Green

By Rachel Tanis

Many people wrongly assume that going green begins with pulling the green guys out of their wallets. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Becoming eco-friendly doesn’t mean spending a fortune. In fact, it doesn’t require spending anything at all.

Here are ten ways to help the environment that won’t hurt your budget:

1. Walk! Walking or taking public transportation can reduce your monthly bills in a drastic way. Not only can you save on gas, but if possible you may even be able to eliminate a vehicle, saving more money than ever! This is probably the most cost-effective way to do something good for the environment, not to mention your health.
2. Carpool! For many people walking everywhere you go simply isn’t an option. Yet, carpooling is an option for many, especially those working in large offices. Put up an ad on an office bulletin board or send out an email asking for fellow commuters who might like to meet and ride. Carpooling will help save gas money and wear-and-tear on your vehicle.
3. Unplug! When not in use, unplug your electronics. Everything from your television to your cell phone charger drains energy when plugged in. That’s right, an item doesn’t have to be turned on to be using up our valuable resources. So, when you’ve finished charging your phone, unplug the charger. You’ll save the environment and some cold cash!
4. Borrow! The world is full of waste. Much of it is because we, the consumers, demand to own everything. Truth be told, we’d probably all be much better off if we didn’t crowd every corner of our lives and living spaces with stuff that we’ll use only once or twice. Set up a borrowing or trading system with friends. Swap DVD’s, kitchen appliances or specialty items, tools and more. Don’t forget to check out your local library for a free site to borrow valuable resources from.
5. Reuse! Decorate your apartment or home with furniture that’s been used already. Shopping for antiques or great garage sale finds can save you tons of money and add unmatched character to your decorating style. Sites like Craiglist.com and Ebay.com are a great place to start. Don’t forget to look for estate sales in your local newspaper. They are like garage sales that specialize in attractive, usually well-maintained antiques.
6. Recycle! Items like cellphones, computers and televisions all eventually reach the point at which they have to be laid to rest. But, instead of tossing your used laptop into the trash (which is horrible for the environment) consider donating it to people who can repair them or are willing to sell them for parts.
7. Type! It’s cheaper and better for the environment to communicate electronically. Sending e-mail is not only faster than snail mail, but it cuts down on postage and paper costs. It also saves on gas used by the post office to deliver all those paper letters.
8. Carry! Bring home your purchases in reusable bags. It seems like nearly every retailer is selling them these days, from Wal-Mart to Target. The bags are cloth and can be used again and again. The bags are cheap, usually about a dollar, and don’t fill up landfills with harsh plastics.
9. Download! Instead of purchasing CD’s and DVD’s, which wastes plastic, packaging and shipping costs, download the songs and movies that you really want. Electronic file purchases are often cheaper too, since you only have to pay for what you really want. Recharge! Buy batteries that are rechargeable and you’ll save in the long run. By reusing batteries, instead of throwing them away, you’ll save money and save the environment. Batteries as waste do incredible damage to the environment.