Content

• Steps
• Advice

Protecting the environment and reusing it is much easier than you think! You can contribute by changing your daily habits. To protect the environment, reduce your energy and water consumption, change your eating habits, travel to conserve natural resources, and make your home and garden space friendly. than with the environment.As your lifestyle becomes more environmentally friendly, you can also participate in activities that educate the community and promote them to do the same.

Steps

Method 1 of 7: Change your daily routine

1. 

   Turn off electrical appliances when not in use. If you are not using any electrical appliances, turn them off. Electrical equipment includes lamps, radios, computers, printers, etc.
   • Use a timer to turn off the lights for a set time each day. Many electronics stores sell timer products; Timer can be attached to the plug to control the energy transmitted to the lamp.
   • You can also find electric heaters and fans with timers. This device will automatically turn off the heater and electric fan when it is hot or cold at night. Most timers will automatically power off after an hour.

2. 

   
   
   Unplug from the power outlet when possible. Keeping the power plug intact, such as a computer battery charger or toaster, will use "phantom" energy. Even if an electrical device is turned off, the device will still use energy, as the electronic components in the device still use electricity. It is best to unplug electrical appliances when not in use for the next 24 hours (or more).
   • Use a power outlet to turn off multiple devices at once with just one switch. You can plug all the appliances you use in a certain space - computers, for example - into a hub. When you're done, just press the switch to disconnect the power from the switch.
   • Measure the amount of power your device uses or find out the normal power consumption. In the United States, you can measure electricity yourself with the Kill-a-Watt tool. You plug in the electrical appliance through the Kill-a-Watt and the tool will measure the power consumption. Kill-a-Watt can also tell you if a device is still draining power even when turned off.

3. 

   
   
   Replace your tumble dryer with a vintage clothes dryer. This will help your clothes have a refreshing fragrance, while also environmentally friendly. The clothes dryer is the device that uses the largest electricity in households, just after refrigerators and air conditioners. If you use a clothes dryer, clean the dryer vents for the best safety and electrical efficiency.
   • When using your washing machine, make sure you have enough washing. Don't just put a few items in the washing machine, this will waste water. You should wait for enough dirty clothes to save water and electricity.
   • If you want, you can also wash clothes by hand or buy a water-efficient, energy-efficient washing machine.

4. 

   
   
   Sparingly use the air conditioner or use it. The air conditioner consumes a lot of electricity. Use natural wind or a fan for as much cooling as possible.
   • If you are using an air conditioner, you should only leave it slightly lower than the outside temperature. Putting the air conditioner low will only use more electricity and will not cool it any faster.

5. 

   Close the air conditioning doors in your home. If you are not using some rooms indoors, please close all the air conditioning doors and doors in these rooms. By doing this often, you reduce the energy wasted on heating or cooling underutilized spaces.

6. 

   Do not use an exercise machine. Instead of using exercise equipment, use an actual bike (or unicycle), walk to places close to home or take a walk. Calisthenics, push-ups, and weight-free exercises are also effective.

7. 

   Use a warm blanket or a sweater in winter. Dress warmly and lower the thermostat temperature by a few degrees. If you live in the United States, set your thermostat at 20 ° C in winter, or even lower at night. Each level increases for an additional 6-8% energy loss.

8. 

   Save water. The average family of four in the US uses 1,514 liters of water per day. You should make a conscious choice to reduce your water consumption.
   • Take a quick shower, or fill a quarter or a third full bath.
   • Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth.
   • Install a water-saving hose or aerator, a water-saving shower and a water-saving toilet.
   • Only run the machine when it is full.
   • Only wash the laundry with the washing machine when it is full. Should choose to buy a front load washing machine if possible.
   • If you wash your car yourself, park your car in the front lawn, use a bucket and cleaning sponge and water pipes to wash your car. Use the tap to close the water when not in use or turn off the water after each wash. However, keep in mind that soap and other detergents will go down the drain (if any), leading to contamination.
   • If you have a swimming pool, you can use a pool cover to minimize water evaporation and prevent leaves from falling into the pool.
   • Design a drought-tolerant landscape and consider a xeriscape gardening method (roughly translated as sustainable landscape design with minimal irrigation water). Maintain an outdoor irrigation system and do not water more than necessary.

9. 

   Recycle as much as you can. Use a garbage sorting bin if available. Separate glass, metal, paper, etc.
   • Go to recycling centers if your area does not have a trash collection bin, or when you need to recycle materials not picked up by the recycling service.

10. 

    Avoid using disposable items. Things that you use a few times and throw away then consume resources to produce, but end up lying in landfills for centuries.
    • Carry a cup or bottle of water, utensils and shopping bags with you. Prepare a garbage-free lunch.
    • Use rechargeable batteries instead of disposable batteries. The battery not only occupies the landfill area, but also cannot be destroyed. The acid from the battery can also seep into the soil.
    • Handle hazardous waste properly. Lots of materials, including batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, electronic waste (almost everything that uses batteries or plugs), detergents, drugs, pesticides, car oil and paint, should not be thrown away. Dispose of it directly in a landfill or sewer. Instead, contact the city where you live to get the right disposal timing.

11. 

    Use only the amount of toilet paper you need. Don't take meters of toilet paper just to wipe a small stain. Get the right amount of paper. You should also not use too much toilet paper but replace it with a cleaning cloth or sponge to clean the kitchen.
    • For the toilet paper products you use, look for products made from 80-100% recycled paper, with priority given to papers made from post-consumer paper.
    • For home cleaning rags, look for a cotton ball that can be reused many times. This fabric is inexpensive, especially when you buy it in bulk, and can be washed and reused hundreds of times.

12. 

    Consider using cloth diapers. Fabric diaper models have "upgraded" a lot compared to diapers with pins and plastic wrap. When using cloth diapers, you will save a fortune (especially when there are more than one baby), prevent dangerous chemicals from reaching your baby's skin, and also the right thing to do. right to protect the Earth.

13. 

    Block spam. If you receive a few catalogs that you are not using, call to ask to stop sending the catalog to your home.
    • If you live in the United States, register at the Opt Out Prescreen online site (https://www.optoutprescreen.com) to stop soliciting credit cards you don't need for 5 years or forever. .

14. 

    Make a consumer conscious. Ask yourself about the impact of what you buy on other people and the environment.
    • Don't buy things you don't need. In addition to saving money, you also protect precious resources when you do not buy in excess.
    • Consider durability when buying. For items that you buy, look for products with long-lasting durability. Try searching for "buy life durable goods" online to consult forums or tips about durable products.
    • Buy used items.Reusing is a bigger goal for second hand items than being thrown away in the landfill, and you also save money.
    • Borrow or rent items that you only use for a short time or use occasionally.
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Method 2 of 7: Changing eating habits

1. 

   Eat less meat and milk. Meat and dairy products consume a lot of resources and are ineffective. Practicing a vegetarian diet (using eggs and milk or a full vegetarian diet) is one of the best ways you can protect the environment and improve your health.
   • In the United States, Meatless Monday (roughly translated as "Meatless Monday") is a non-profit public health campaign that encourages people not to eat meat one day of the week. Search the campaign's online page for information on meat-free recipes.

2. 

   If you are living in the US, do not drink coffee from the K-cup. K-cups are coffee-mashed cups for use in Keurig's coffee makers that are disposable and are often thrown away (although they can be recycled if the user separates them into paper , plastic and metal). Billions of such coffee mugs were sold in 2014, and the number of discarded mugs can be arranged in 12 circles around the Earth. Coffee should be made with a regular coffee pot or a French press.
   • Use ceramic cups or reusable cups for your coffee instead of disposable cups.
   • If you like the convenience of having coffee available to one person and have invested in a Keurig machine, look for a washable cup and add coffee. You will still save money and resources compared to buying a cup for each drink.

3. 

   Buy local food. Transporting food from remote locations will have a negative environmental impact. Food must be transported by truck, train or ship, and these vehicles all produce waste. Buying food that is locally sourced from where you live will help eliminate or reduce the negative impact of traffic.
   • In the United States, you can go to the farmer's market to find local vegetables or fruits or use the CSA (community-supported agriculture) service to regularly receive the products. fresh.

4. 

   Avoid using products with too much packaging. Usually, the energy used by food companies to create packaging is the same as the energy spent to produce food. Do not buy products with separate packaging, you should buy products in bulk.

5. 

   Don't waste food. Plan your meals so that they don't cook more than you can eat. Keep any leftovers and use them up at the next meal. If you have too much leftover food, for example after a party, share it with your friends.

6. 

   Use water bottles multiple times. Most tap water in developed countries is safe to drink, meaning that there is no need to buy bottled water. Buy a glass or metal jar for water.
   • If you live in the United States, you can request a water quality report from the city where you live when there is a concern about water quality.
   • You won't normally need a water filter while living in the United States, but a small one will improve the taste of your drinking water. However, keep in mind that water softeners and reverse osmosis systems (commonly referred to as RO reverse osmosis) consume more water than they deliver.
   • Fill the jar with tap water and keep in the refrigerator.
   • If the tap water had a white vapor when it first filled the bottle, it was most likely a bubble. Try pouring water into a glass or bottle, observing it again after 1-2 minutes to check if there is any more phenomenon.
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Method 3 of 7: Change travel habits

1. 

   Walk or cycle in the area where you live. You should walk or ride a bike if the distance is not too far. Short trips will often harm your car as well as the environment, so swap the car for feet or your bike.
   • Always wear a helmet and protective gear when cycling.
   • Install the equipment needed to carry goods on a bike and go shopping by bike. You can store a variety of items on a saddle fastener pocket, in a trailer attached to your bike or in a sturdy cart.

2. 

   Arrange to share a car for work or school. Make a plan with a few other people to carpool to work or coordinate with parents in the neighborhood to share a car to drive their children to school.
   • In the United States, carpooling is also allowed to enter the high-passenger vehicle lane (known as HOV - High Occupancy Vehicle lane). This lane will usually save you travel time and money spent on gasoline.
   • If you live near the school your children attend, you might consider organizing a “walk to school day” for all the children in your neighborhood instead of driving them to school. Groups of students will walk to school under the supervision and direction of parents. Parents in the neighborhood can also take turns leading the student union.

3. 

   Use public transport. If you live in an area with buses, trains or subways, use these means to get to work, school, or other locations. Minimizing the trips by car will help reduce congestion in the streets, and also reduce fuel consumption.
   • Many bus systems in major US cities use diesel-electric hybrid buses, further reducing hazardous emissions.

4. 

   Plan what you need to do and go once. To make your trips more efficient, you should identify the places you need to go and go with one trip. Go together once to cut down on trips, while also making sure you don't drive a few times over the distance.
   • Don't forget to call ahead or check to confirm that you will arrive during business hours and that you will have what you want. Make appointments and make purchases online or by phone.

5. 

   Work remotely or at home, if work permits. One day of remote work per week can reduce your commute by 20%.

6. 

   Use a hybrid car (hybrid car) or an all-electric car. If you're looking for a new vehicle, consider buying a hybrid electric car. This type of car can be powered by both gasoline and electric motors. The model of hybrid electric cars and electric cars on the market has increased a lot. The emissions from these vehicles are not only less but using them also saves you money on gas.
   • If you live in the United States, you may also get federal tax withholding for the year you purchase a hybrid vehicle.

7. 

   Maintain your car. If you have a car, take care of your car, regularly change oil and air filters, fix leaks as soon as it detects and keep tires full.

8. 

   Check the vehicle's gas mileage and try to improve it.

9. 

   Limit your flight. Whether you fly for work or vacation, reduce the number of flights you'll be traveling. Planes emit large amounts of carbon dioxide as well as other emissions, which are increasing in proportion to the number of flights globally. Please protect the environment by limiting flying.
   • Economy flight. When more than one person is on the same plane, the environmental impact from that plane is divided equally among the more people.
   • Choosing to stay in the same place over the long term instead of going back many times.
   • Select train or bus when traveling in the area.
   • Use the technology of video conferencing instead of going to the meeting venue in person.

10. 

    If possible, you should live close to work, school or other places that you regularly visit. Otherwise, you should live near public transport stops or a bike lane. Consider the traffic factor when choosing where to live. advertisement

Method 4 of 7: Change home space

1. 

   Install skylights and sunlamps. Skylights and sunlamps are mounted on your ceiling, they are designed so that your home space receives more sunlight.This will help reduce the electricity used for lighting. Some lamps can also convert sunlight into electricity.

2. 

   Use small power fluorescent lights (often called compact lights) or LED bulbs. Compact lights and LEDs are more expensive than other lamps, but they have a longer lifespan than conventional lighting lamps. They also use only a quarter of the energy compared to other types.
   • Change which lights you use the most.

3. 

   Seal the gaps. Look for locations where the air can get in or out of your home. Openings can be around doors, windows, chimneys, recessed lights or elsewhere. Solder small gaps, and use insulation materials or polyurethane foam (PU foam) with larger holes.
   • Fix gaps in your basement by removing the insulation, then welding or using shale mud to fill the holes. When replacing the isolator, make sure it is not compressed and should cover the entire area between the beams. Sealing gaps will also reduce the number of insects and rodents entering your home.
   • Fill the area around switches and plugs, especially on the outside wall. Disconnect the circuit breaker, check to make sure there is no current, then remove the housing and spray a layer of Polyurethane foam into the space outside the terminal block.
   • Check the door and window seals to ensure they are securely fastened. If you feel cold breezes enter your home on a cold day, you may need to adjust or replace the mattress.
   • A smoke pen or an incense stick can help you see where openings are in your home.

4. 

   Install insulation on your attic and exterior walls. A good insulation layer is a relatively economical way to improve comfort and energy efficiency in your home.

5. 

   Check for water leaks. If your tap water keeps leaking, fix the faucet immediately. In case you can't fix it right away, place a bucket of pots to catch leaks and use the water for another purpose, like watering your garden plants.
   • To test the toilet bowl, you can place a few drops of dye in the upper tank, not directly into the toilet bowl. Wait about 10 minutes and do not splash the water. If you see the color spreading to the toilet bowl, you may need to repair the toilet.

6. 

   Installing window decorations maximizes energy conservation. Opt for curtains or curtains to keep your home cool in the summer and warm in winter. For example, thick curtains in cold climates will keep the indoor air warm at night.
   • If you live in a hot climate, like the southwestern United States, consider staining your windows or applying reflective coatings. This will help divert hot air out of your home. Talk to local construction companies to find out what works for your situation. Staining the sun's windows will also prevent the color of the material from fading quickly.

7. 

   Plant protection trees to protect the house against the effects of wind and sun. Deciduous trees provide shade in the summer and allow warm rays of sunlight to hit your home during the winter months. Evergreen trees will create a wind barrier.
   • Make sure you consider the growth of your plants and plant the plant far enough from home so that the root system won't interfere with the foundation.

8. 

   Maintain the quality of your home appliances, and choose energy efficient models when considering buying a new item.
   • Clean the refrigerator condenser once a year.
   • Clean the clothes dryer vents once a year. Clean the lint filter each time you use the dryer.

9. 

   Install a water-saving toilet. Water-saving toilets will save a lot of water each year, helping to protect the environment and reduce water bills.
   • You could also try placing a water bottle in the toilet tank. The water bottle will occupy a part of the volume in the water tank, save the amount of water by that volume in each flush, and ensure the toilet operates normally. (Don't use bricks instead of water bottles, as the bricks may break.)
   • Try lowering the water level in the toilet tank. Many toilets have a regulating mechanism to lower the float - a valve that fills the water in the tank.

10. 

    Install solar panels on your roof. This panel converts solar energy into electricity; their costs have also decreased (in the United States, installing solar panels will cost about 10 thousand dollars). Household bills can be reduced by up to 20% when using solar panels.
    • Note that there are still many concerns about the negative impact of solar panel production on the environment. This will produce hazardous chemicals and limit recycling, among other things.

11. 

    Choose the smallest home that will meet your family's needs and accommodate enough (you should also consider minimizing unnecessary furniture). You will save money and many other resources needed to build and maintain your housing, while cutting heating and cooling costs.
    • If you have a bigger home than you need, consider staying with many other people - family members or people who need to rent.
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Method 5 of 7: Changing the garden

1. 

   Garden. Create a garden with vegetables and / or herbs.
   • Try these alternative techniques so that your garden doesn't need fertilizer or too much irrigation. For example, mulching on garden soil will retain water and help keep the soil moist.
   • Grow your favorite fruit or vegetable crops so you don't have to buy vegetables at the store.
   • Use a water tank or other container for rainwater. Use this water to water your garden plants.

2. 

   Keep your garden friendly with wild flora and fauna. Modern life and development have violated the natural environment and posed risks to wild species. Take a few steps to make your garden more wildlife friendly.
   • Plant a variety of plants. Many creatures will visit your garden if you allow them to visit. When you plant a variety of plants, you will attract a wide variety of animals.
   • Create a frog pond in your backyard. Frog populations are declining because their spawning areas are disappearing. Frogs can come to your home to breed if you provide them with a habitat in your backyard.

3. 

   Reduce grass area. The lawn growing area will require you to clean with a lawn mower, lawn mower, as well as other tools that use petroleum or electric power. Convert some of the grass growing area into gardens or native tree species. This will also attract wildlife.

4. 

   Avoid using pesticides, herbicides and other artificial chemical fertilizers. Pesticides kill hundreds of birds and other animals each year. If your garden has unwanted grass, pluck it out or dig it up yourself, cut off the grass, or place artificial turf on top of the plant.
   • Learn about perpetual agriculture, integrated pest management, polyculture, and other techniques to reduce or eliminate the need for pesticides and fertilizers.
   • If using chemical fertilizers, use only the required amount. Make sure that any excess fertilizer will not flow into drains or rivers.

5. 

   Plant tree. Plant a tree in the garden. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, and they also improve local water supplies and enrich the soil.
   • Deciduous trees, if properly planted next to the house, will keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer.
   • If you grow a fruit tree, the added benefit of eating home-grown fruit instead of buying it at the store.

6. 

   Compost compost. Choose an area in your garden to gather all of your garden waste, fruit peels, and leftovers. Look for a number of earthworms that can handle these wastes, creating a nutrient-rich humus layer for landscape design. Make sure the compost site is away from water sources.

7. 

   Use a rake instead of a leaf blower. Stop using noisy leaf blowers powered by petroleum or electric power; Instead, use a rake to remove leaves or debris from your garden.
   • Similarly, use a broom instead of a tap to clean the tiled area.
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Method 6 of 7: Reuse

1. 

   Buy used clothes and items. Go to second-hand and consignment stores to find second-hand clothes and furniture.

2. 

   Donate or share usable household items. Instead of throwing away items, you might consider giving them away. Donate clothes and household items that are also usable for charities. Lots of organizations will send trucks to pick up items from you.
   • In the United States, Craigslist.org is a convenient online site where you can buy, sell and give away items in your area.

3. 

   Recycle upgrade. Transform useless trash into interesting and cute items, or new and unique. Design jewelry, home decorations and change your outfit style with the things you already have. Check out the wikiHow articles to learn about how to recycle upgrades into different products.

4. 

   Buy or sew some reusable bags. Bring cloth bags when shopping. Many communities in the United States have banned stores from using plastic bags; But even if your neighborhood allows plastic bags, you should still switch to reusable bags. advertisement

Method 7 of 7: Participate in social activities

1. 

   Contact state agencies. Call or send email to the People's Council or local authorities. Recommend that they support activities to protect the environment and encourage the use of renewable energy.

2. 

   Join rallies. Many cities in the United States hold rallies to raise public awareness on environmental issues. To be effective, such events need a lot of people. Join a rally in your local area. Sign design brings marches to convey your message.
   • Get your family and friends to join you.

3. 

   Join an environmental organization. You can choose an organization that focuses on one aspect of the environment. If you live in the United States, you should consider becoming a member of Greenpeace, the Sierra Club or the Environmental Defense Fund.

4. 

   Write to the editorial boards of the newspapers. Use the news media to emphasize environmental issues. Write a letter to the newsroom that mentions fossil fuels or endangered wildlife. This can spark a dialogue in your community about a particular environmental issue.
   • An alternative is to offer to write an editorial for your local newspaper.

5. 

   Contribute to a goal related to protecting the environment. Please choose an organization that works for an environmental issue. Donate money to this organization. Many organizations have contributions ranging from small to large. You can choose to contribute monthly or annually.
   • In the United States, contributions to nonprofits may be deducted from taxable amounts. Invoice is provided so that you can have this amount withheld from taxes.

6. 

   Do volunteer work. Scavenging, propaganda, education, repairing bicycles, opening a cafe to teach how to repair objects, plant trees, observe populations of birds and other animals. There are many ways you can create and develop a better environment through volunteering. advertisement

Advice

• Don't buy things you don't need. This not only saves money and helps the house to save clutter, but also does not consume the resources (materials, energy, effort) needed to create that product. Can you borrow and use the item, or don't need it at all?
• Do not use polyethylene bags. These bags are easy to find, but they are not eco-friendly.
• Avoid using palm oil! Palm oil is extracted from palm oil in Indonesia and Africa, and is a major cause of tropical deforestation. Check your food ingredients and cosmetics; avoid large palm oil exporters such as PepsiCo and Nestle. Support companies like Gap and Coca Cola, though, because they don't use palm oil.
• You can also protect the environment by protecting honey bees and other insects that make a positive contribution to our world.
• Consider a full vegetarian diet. The adverse effects of the vegetarian diet on animals and the environment will be minimal.
• Capture rainwater and use it for a variety of purposes (eg gardening, cleaning or bird bathing).