REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE

I'm a huge Green Activist. I not expecting you to read this then go out and go Green crazy, but if you did manage to take away a few simple things to help out that's all I could wish for. I hope that there is something here that will spark an interest or a will to change things up a tad.

So, Scroll on...and let me know what you've done to GO GREEN.

Energy Saving Tips: The Small Things

Kitchen Tips

1. Don't use too much water.
   When boiling water or pasta, use only the amount of water necessary to cover the food and allow for expansion. Heating less water is more efficient and will cut down on time.
2. Cut food into small pieces.
   Smaller pieces of potato or veggies cook faster and will use less energy.
3. Use lids on pots and pans.
   You'll capture the heat and enable yourself to use a lower setting.
4. Use the correct sized burner.
   Larger burners used for smaller pots or pans will throw off as much heat as it uses.
5. Avoid preheating when possible.
   Often we preheat for longer than necessary. Unless the recipe is more precise, turn the oven on when you place food inside and take advantage of all the heat.
6. Consider Hand Washing.
   If your dishwasher is old and you can't yet replace it with a more efficient model, consider hand washing to save energy and possibly water.
7. Make your own ice.
   Automatic ice makers use unnecessary energy and are prone to breakdown. Likewise, cold air can be lost through in-door dispensers with poor seals.
8. Use an oil lantern.
   Some lanterns are even designed to run off waste vegetable oil, which is a cheap buy, making this just one of the energy saving tips that also saves you money.

Electrical Tips

1. Utilize sleep mode or shut it down.
   If you're walking away from more than an hour, consider shutting down your machine completely. If you can't shut it down, save your work and put it into sleep mode when you step away.
2. Turn off computer accessories.
   Scanners, printers and even some personal faxes can be shut down until needed, thus saving their standby energy.
3. Unplug chargers.
   Chargers continue to draw energy, even when they aren't charging anything. Only plug them in as needed.

Go Paperless

Stop Receiving Junk Mail

DMA Choice

This should be your first stop. Direct Marketing Association represents nearly 3,600 companies, each required to respect your preferences. Through their opt-out service, you'll be removed from many or even most of the mailers you now you receive, while still receiving the ones you want. It can be done online for free or through the mail for $1. Visit DMAchoice.org for details on how to stop receiving junk mail from their members. You can even do the same for your email.

For others, simply contact the company. Find a phone number and give them a courtesy call. No need to be rude; just simply request to be removed from future mailings. Business prefer not to waste money and should appreciate your notifying them. This make take a minute or two of your time but will save you time in the future, as well as the resources wasted in unwanted mail.

ME: I used an app called paper karma that allowed me to scan in the address of the mailer and unsubscribe from junk mail that way. 

Find A Use For Junk Mail

So, until these opt-out forms start working, what can you do with all that junk mail? Here are a few ideas to create a use for junk mail:

Recycle it: 

With well over half of all junk mail not being recycled, be sure to place yours in your paper bin to at least save a few resources..

• Mulch it: Shred non-glossy paper and use as a mulch around plants, use as bedding for hamsters
• Package Material: Crumble it up or even shred it and use it for a sustainable packing material.
• Crafts: Can be used for collages, paper beads, paper mache and other crafts.

Day 4