Cool choices employees take simple daily actions in there lives to ‘walk the walk’ in sustainability. Check out these ideas to learn sustainable actions simple enough for you to do too!
If Americans switched from disposable water bottles to reusable ones we could save over 17 million barrels of oil each year (not including the oil used for transportation!). That’s the equivalent of taking 1.3 million cars off the road for a year! Kellen’s idea to keep reusable water bottles on hand at home, at work and in the car will keep you from finding yourself in a situation where you need to buy a disposable water bottle.
Consider the savings of biking: the average annual operating cost of a car is $8,220 compared to just $308 for a bike. Pannier side bags are a relatively inexpensive investment and make running errands on your bike even easier. If American drivers chose to bike instead of drive for just one four-mile car trip each week, over the course of a year more than two billion gallons of gas could be saved. The health benefits are worth mentioning as well—improved heart health, better strength and flexibility, and reduced anxiety and depression.
Adjusting your driving habits saves fuel and money. By anticipating how the traffic in front of you is moving you can maintain speeds and coast to a stop more easily. Try to accelerate gently rather than racing away from stoplights. Avoid speeding, especially on the highway. Most cars lose fuel efficiency above 50 mph and every 5 mph above 50 mph can cost an extra $0.17 per gallon of gas.
Composting transforms organic waste into a rich, wholesome fertilizer. Over 60% of the trash the average American household throws away is waste that could be composted. Less material in the waste system would lead to savings in both waste transportation and storage. To learn more about composting techniques and which may work best for your living situation, check out this helpful guide from the University of Illinois Extension.
The average reusable bag has a lifespan equal to that of more than 700 disposable plastic bags. The key to using reusable bags regularly is simply remembering to bring them along with you. For smaller, unexpected purchases try carrying a single reusable bag while running errands like Claire. For bigger grocery hauls, leave a collection of five or six bags in the trunk of your car. Once you have the bags with you there’s no excuse not to use them! Reusable bags are also a great way to show your style or to support your favorite cause or sports team.
“I figured out how to program my thermostat so that it will automatically turn down when I am at work or asleep. I’m pretty forgetful, so it’s nice because I can save on heat without having to think about it.” -Nicole
Turning down the temperature between seven and ten degrees for eight hours each day can lead to 10% savings on heating and cooling throughout the year. Using your thermostat’s automatic settings makes turning down the temperature simple and easy while you are at work or sleeping. Also consider lowering the temperature you keep the house at while you’re home. Every degree you lower your thermostat’s temperature in the 60-70 degree range saves you up to 5% on heating costs.
One Comment
Good ideas, thanks.