My friend Sally sent me the link to this website. The woman was interviewed on the lap top lunch website (see stuntmom laptop lunch article may 15, 2007) I'm going to commit to changing all of my lightbulbs by the end of the month.
10 First Steps for Sustaining the Planet- You can help stop global warming.
1. Change a light. If every household in America changed out just 5 light bulbs to energy efficient CFL's it would be equivalent to taking 8 million cars off the road.
2. Drive less. If we each drove just 10 mile less per week, it would save 20 billion pounds of CO2, and you'd find more time in your day.
3. Shop local, fair trade and organic. Most food travels an average of 1,200 miles before it reaches your table, so by walking down to your local farmer's market, you'll not only reduce fossil fuel waste, you might also reduce your own waist.
4. Use non toxic products for cleaning, bathing, even make-up and you'll protect the environment as well as reduce you and your family's risk of disease.
5. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Cutting down on garbage by just 10% can save 1,200 pounds of CO2 and you'll have less junk around the house!
6. Turn off and unplug electronic devices and you'll reduce your exposure to electromagnetic radiation, and save on energy and CO2 emissions. You can also start having dinner by candlelight, which your kids, and your partner, will love!
7. Re-think your laundry plan! A favorite of many EcoMoms. Doing less, using cold water and line drying when possible you can save over 500 pounds of CO2 and over $600 per year.
8. Check your tires. By keeping your tires properly inflated, you can improve your gas mileage by over 3% and save 20 pounds of CO2 per gallon not used.
9. Buy carbon offsets and reduce mom guilt, like the SUV you still have. Offsets are kind of like eating too many brownies one day and jogging extra the next. For more information you can visit www.nativeenergy.com.10. Play more. This is my son Corbin's favorite (of course!). In today's world, we get so busy checking emails, running errands, taking our kids from school to soccer, or ballet, that we often forget to take the time to connect and play with the people we love . . . So do things that make you happy. It's all connected. Sustain your Self, Sustain Your Home and Sustain Your Planet. That's it. You're on your way to being an EcoMom!
Contact: info@ecomom.com 415.246.7691 and the EcoMom logo are registered trademarks 2007
6 comments:
Everyone talks about how much electricity CFLs save, but forget to mention that they contain small amounts of mercury and require special recycling. Since most people still throw computer monitors into dumpsters, I'm a bit concerned about everyone switching to these lightbulbs without knowing how to correctly dispose of them.
Thanks for the information. Could you please let us know where to recycle them so we can get the word out? I also need to know where to take my box of used batteries too.
I just resolved to start taking my own "doggie bag" containers to restaurants. So many people support bringing your own bags to grocery stores, but what about the styrofoam madness at restaurants? I just walked through our workplace cafeteria and was amazed by all the styrofoam -- people hardly seem to be using the reusable plates at all. Remember the outcry about McDonalds using styrofoam for hamburgers back in the 70s that led them to go over to paper wrappings? Why are people so willing to accept so much styrofoam now??
Wikipedia says this about recycling CFLs:
* Return used CFLs to where they were purchased, so the store can recycle them correctly; or
* Take used CFLs to a local recycling facility.
Good point about the doggie bags! One of those meal shaped tupperware-ish things with the different compartments would probably work great.
Thanks so much for the recycling tips. Our Energy company just sent out 4 coupons for $3 off the new bulbs if purchased at Walmart. I can just imagine walking into walmart with my expired bulbs only for them to turn around and trash them. If they ever burn out it will be interesting to see if Walmart or wherever they are purchased has a true recycling program. We can only hope.
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