Summer is a favorite time of year for most of us, but it can also be hectic with work, the kids at home, yard chores and endless activities. 'Going green' can seem a little daunting when you already have a lot on your plate but getting started is not as hard as you may think, especially with the tips we've listed below. In fact, these tips not only provide environmental benefits, but can add convenience to your home and save you money.
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- No time to cook after work? Too hot? Hearty summer salads made with pasta, beans
or similar ingredients can be made ahead when it's cooler and will be ready anytime to serve as a main dish, regardless of your schedule. In addition, leftover salad today can be served as a side dish or lunch tomorrow. An added bonus? By not cooking when it's hot, you keep your home cooler and conserve electricity.
iStockphoto/Arcurs - Love fresh veggies but no time or space to garden? Try growing a few summer favorites in containers on a porch or in a sunny area of your yard. Container gardens require little maintenance or investment, and it's a great way to enjoy flavorful produce varieties you may not be able to find at your local grocer, such as meaty tomatoes, pickling cucumbers and organic herbs. Home gardens not only provide the freshest produce and save you money, they can help reduce the resources needed for growing and shipping commercial crops.
- Decluttering your home simplifies organization and cleaning. Try donating or recycling items you no longer use. Not sure which items can be recycled and where to recycle them at? Try the iRecycle app from Earth911.com. This handy app lets you easily find local recycling or safe disposal locations for everything from antifreeze to plastics. It's free and super easy to use!
- Been to a local farmers market lately? These markets allow local farmers to bring the freshest foods right to you. Fresh foods are less likely to spoil as quickly or contribute to food waste, and farmers markets a great way to learn more about the foods you buy and how it's produced. Many of these markets not only offer fresh fruits and vegetables, but an assortment of breads, cheeses, eggs, honey, meats, herbs and many other local foods.
- Summer is made for snacking, but open bags of cereal, chips, crackers and cookies can quickly go stale in the summer heat and humidity. An easy solution is to have a ready supply of bag clips so you're prepared regardless of how many bags have been opened.
- If you don't use one already, purchase a reusable water bottle and use that in place of disposable ones. Drinking water keeps you hydrated, especially during the hot summer months. Reusable water bottles reduce the amount of solid waste we send to our landfills. Prefer a soda or flavored beverage? Try infusing your water with lemons, limes or other fruit for a refreshing taste and added health benefits.
- Make your own earth friendly cleaners! Many earth friendly cleaning ingredients are very effective, safe to use and cost a lot less than commercial cleaners. Since they are made with ingredients you already have in your home, you can always have fresh cleaning products at your fingertips. We use lemons or essential oils to add a clean fresh scent and purchase everything else we need in bulk containers to reduce packaging.
