Monday January 28, 2008, 3:54 am
What's *your* favorite way of being an everyday environmentalist? Mine is to always take the stairs.

Monday January 28, 2008, 5:57 am
I picked up rubbish from the area where I live and collected 2 bin bags woth of stuff thrown in bushes and on the paths! I phoned the council today to complain that there were no bins in the area too.
I have started to do the washing with eco balls, they are really good and you can get over a 100 washes from one ball, and theres no need for powder or fabric conditioner!
I have also started to use natural products that you find in the home to use for cleaning, vinegar, baking soda, etc...

Monday January 28, 2008, 6:16 am
That's fantastic, Lorraine! Thanks for all the good work that you do. I'm a big fan of cleaning w/ vinegar and those eco-balls for the laundry, too. They're great! I also like to compost my organic garbage. Any of y'all do that, too?

Monday January 28, 2008, 6:35 am
I too started using the dryer balls about four mons. ago and was amazed at how well they work!!!! But, during the winter mons. I am now missing the anti-static advantages of the softeners. Anyone know the solution?

As for my tip, I bought some heavy duty wool socks and am turned down the thermostat and put on a warm sweater.

Monday January 28, 2008, 7:12 am
That's a great tip, LL! Remember that you can submit your own eco-tips to The Nature Conservancy!

Monday January 28, 2008, 6:21 pm
There are many ways that we can be an environmentalist everyday. Picking up litter, buy organic and local foods and products is another way. Walking and riding the bus are among the most popular, but there are many others. Please check out "The Top Ten Ways To Support Our Planet" survey results and take the survey yourself. I don't know how to format the html code for this link so please visit us at earthcollege.org. Take our survey and leave a comment on the care2 news post located at http://www.care2.com/news/member/469277529/615449.

We want to know what you think.

Tuesday January 29, 2008, 4:27 am
I carry my own shopping bags, turned down the thermostat, compost the compostable garbage and yard waste, hit the recycling center, and my backyard is a Certified Backyard Wildlife Habitat. I also clean with natural stuff -- can't take the fumes of chemicals!, and I've got reptiles which get *very* testy if things smell horrid to them.... ; )

Tuesday January 29, 2008, 9:55 am
That's awesome, Clara! I love reusable shopping bags, too. And bravo for certifying your backyard. Good luck with the lizards! :)

Tuesday January 29, 2008, 1:12 pm
LL A crumple a piece of aluminum foil into a ball and throw it in your dryer. That should take care of the static cling and just replace when it starts to look pretty ragged.
I always take my own bags for shopping, changed all our lights to cfls, turned down the thermostat, bought a car that gets 35 mpg, recycle everything I can, clean with vinegar, baking soda and salt, and just take a little more care when buying things.

Tuesday January 29, 2008, 2:45 pm
Great ideas, Jo Q! I'm going to give that aluminum foil trick a whirl. But the really valuable part of your comment for me is to "just take a little more care when buying things". We have a tip related specifically to the value of "using used".

Saturday February 2, 2008, 2:04 pm
Jo Q. THANK YOU! I will try the aluminun foil this weekend. Blessings!

Saturday February 2, 2008, 2:11 pm
Jonathon D., I will follow the link above and submit a few tips. I also [this has been several months ago now] unplug pretty much EVERYTHING until I need to use it. That includes the washer and dryer, tv and dvd [when not in use], everything in the kitchen [except frig. and stove (which I can't get to anyway)]. I find it's really not that big a deal to plug anything back in and noticed a significant difference in my electric bill.

Tuesday February 5, 2008, 4:03 pm
Have built our house with the right orientation for where I live(Australia). So we get lots of sun coming in through big windows in winter and nice shade in summer. Our house is only single storey with wide eaves, and we have no air conditioner. Have also planted lots of trees and other native flora. Have started no dig veggie patch. I carry my own shopping bags and try to buy fair trade when I can. Have changed lightbulbs and switch off power points when not in use. I would like to get solar panels etc, but way out of our budget.

Saturday February 9, 2008, 12:35 pm
Hi I am an everyday environmentalist by actions-I use completely biodegradable products and tell others every day how that they can do the same. I lead others away from Tide, 409, Clorox (and yes their new Green stuff) and to be responsible for their actions. We should also utilize and patronize companies that do the same, right? I use Shaklee products avaialble at my site. www.shaklee.net/steve

Friday February 22, 2008, 8:12 am
I am excited to read about all the ways in which individuals are doing their part to support our planet. I would like to know if I may add a link for this article on my link page.

Tuesday March 4, 2008, 7:45 am
As you I commented above on the use of dryer balls. I found that they work GREAT! I also threw in a ball of aluminum foil [as suggested. also above] and voila! No static!!!!

BUT! As I went about sharing this household tip, I discovered the following article which I thought would be worth sharing here: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/09/nellie_dryer_balls.php and the followup: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/09/nellie_dryer_balls.php

Just a little fyi/head ups sort of thing!

Friday February 6, 2009, 5:53 pm
I use cloth shopping bags, use toxic free cleaning products, recycle paper, glass, and aluminum, and have a compost pile. I shut my computer down at night and turn down the thermostat when not home.