What do you do to try and help conserve energy or protect the environment?

While living in Ireland I started bringing my own shopping bags to the grocery store because there you have to pay 15cents per bag. Now I continue that at home and bring my own bags. I would love for them to do something similar (paying for bags here) to encourage people to help reduce waste. I also put my dishwasher on air dry to use less electric. I also recycle everything that can be. A lot of my friends don't recycle and I don't understand why, it aggravates me So do you do anything to help our earth? I don't do all that much, but every little helps.

ETA - I also don't run the water while brushing my teeth, air dry most of my clothes. Use my towels more than once and do large loads of laundry. Turn off lights during the day and I also burn a lot of candles at night. We have energy efficient appliances.

It is so refreshing to hear there are other people out there trying to do all they can. It is amazing how wasteful Americans can be.

Message edited 10/16/2005 10:24:26 AM.

Re: What do you do to try and help conserve energy or protect the environment?

We recycle plastic and glass. We don't have a dishwasher but when we get one, we'll do the same thing. My in'laws have the energy efficient light bulbs. I bring my own bags but I also use grocery bags for kitchen and bathroom garbage bags. I need to do more. I used to carpool but I can't do that anymore now (there's only one person I can do it with right now and I leave after her).

We all need to do more.

Re: What do you do to try and help conserve energy or protect the environment?

Reduce, reuse, recycle.

1. We don't own gas guzzling cars. How many people who own SUV's really need an SUV? IMO, they are environmentally irresponsible. Both DH and my car gets way over 30 mtg highway. Always keep them tuned up and tires full.

2. Recycle- we donate all of our old clothes, items we no longer want, plastics, ALL PAPER in our house. Every two weeks we must put out at least four brown paper bags of paper. Our neighbors... nothing

3. We just upgraded our heating unit and have a programmable thermostat.

4. Buy energy efficient appliances.

5. Do all of my cooking on Sunday and then microwave the leftovers the rest of the week.

6. Only do large loads of laundry and air dry what I can.

7. Energy efficient lightbulbs, daytime flourescents in the kitchen.

8. Cut way down on shopping trips and driving around. I walk to get my nails done... exercise and tthey dry at the same time.

9. Reinsulated our attic.

Re: What do you do to try and help conserve energy or protect the environment?

We recycle glass and cans all the time.
Leave windows open when possible.
To try and save some water, I try not to let the water run, while brushing teeth.
I dont run the dishwasher until its completley full...All the dishes are rinsed really well, so they dont smell.
If the sun is out, no reason to have all the lights on, just open your blinds and fill the room with sunlight when possible.

Message edited 10/16/2005 10:12:03 AM.

Re: What do you do to try and help conserve energy or protect the environment?

I recycle, turn off all unused lamps, electric, etc.. I do the same with not running the water while brushing my teeth.

Now my DH on the other hand will leave lights blazing all night long if I do not turn them off....annoys me!

Message edited 10/16/2005 10:21:19 AM.

Re: What do you do to try and help conserve energy or protect the environment?

in our house:

we turn the AC up while not at home

all lights off at night unless we're in that room

I found out the electric company charges more during certain hours, so I'll cook, do laundry, etc during off peak hours.

I want to air dry clothes, but I don't have a drying rack yet...Walmart wants $20 for one!!


we don't have recycling in our neighborhood, but I don't use paper plates or plastic cups and try to use dish towels more than paper towels.

I know Walmart recycles their plastic bags...they have huge cardboard boxes in the entryways down here. I reuse mine as garbage bags or DH takes his lunch in them.

ETA: don't run water when not needed (washing dishes, brushing teeth) and sometimes we take a shower at the same time...but that's for fun!

I do it more for saving $$ than anything.

Message edited 10/16/2005 11:34:53 AM.