Green Maus

Barbecuing has become an American pastime, reaching its height in the Summer right in your backyard. But how about thinking Green when you plan your next BBQ with friends and families? Here are a few tips to make your gathering more environmentally friendly!

• Prep your grill by rubbing it with an onion instead of dousing it with chemical spray
• Invite your friends to bring their own specialties in reusable Tupperware. This helps with your grocery list and allows for less waste with reusable containers.
• Use recycled-plastic durable dishware, reusable cutlery
• Place a garbage can and recycle can near the picnic area. Recycle all that you can Choose Local, buy seasonal
• Visit local fresh markets to pick up your fruits and vegetables that are home grown and fresh from the ground. Local produce typically means fewer chemicals were used to grow and preserve foods.
• Consider using organic or grass fed meat
• Bring your own reusable bags to the store
• Get Grilling
• Grilling with the hood down helps maintain energy efficiency and ensures that the heat is distributed evenly
• Make sure to marinate lean, organic or grass fed meat before grilling and baste continuously
• Put vegetables in a bowl with olive oil and herbs to marinate before grilling.
• Enjoy!

More tips on how Going Green will save you money:

Saving money while saving ENERGY:

• Set your thermostat a few degrees lower in the winter and few degrees higher in the summer to save on costs
• Unplug appliances when you are not using them OR use a “smart” power strip that senses when appliance are off and cuts “phantom” energy use
• Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible.
• Use a drying rack or clothesline to save the energy otherwise used during the machine drying. If you must use a dryer, consider adding dryer balls to cut the drying time.

Saving money while saving WATER:

• Take shorter showers. This will lower your heating bill too.
• Install a low-flow showerhead.
• Make sure you have a faucet aerator on each faucet. These inexpensive appliances conserve heat and water, while keeping water pressure high.
• Plant drought- tolerant native plants.

1. Be Water Wise
Reduce your lawn area by decreasing the amount of grass you have and increasing the amount of planted flowers. “Flowers need less hydration than grass. Putting in gravel or pathways also will do the trick” said Sid Davis, author of Your Eco-Friendly Home.

Other ways to save on water:

+ Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving
+ Take shorter showers
+ Get a good aerator for your faucet

2. Power Down as a Family and Go Out
Designate 30 minutes a day to turn off all lights, unplug all appliances and go outside as a family for a walk or bike ride. This also encourages family time together without modern day technology getting in the way.

3. Shop From Home
Shopping online is a great way to compare prices and save on gas. Researchers estimate that comparison-shopping online instead of driving from store to store could result in up to 35% less energy consumption and carbon-dioxide emissions.

4. Be a Good Driver
So doing the speed limit is not only the law but it’s also more energy efficient. Typically gas mileage decreases rapidly above 60 mph, meaning the faster you drive, the more fuel you use to get wherever you are going. Plus you’ll save in speeding tickets.

5. Watch your Spin Cycle
Using a cotton waffle weave towel will cut down on the time it takes in the dryer. “Fluffy towels take much longer in the dryer, which is one of the most expensive uses of energy. Plus waffle towels naturally exfoliate your skin when you dry off with them.” Said Barbara Flanagan, author of Flanagan’s Smart Home.

• Unplug it. If you are not using it then unplug it, especially electronics such as toaster, cell phone charger, etc.) Event if they are not “on” they are using electricity, as much as 40% of all electricity in a home is used to power appliances that are turned off.
• Use your dishwater. Using a dishwasher actually uses about 35% less water than washing dishes by hand. And if you skip the drying cycle and let dishes air dry – you save 15% electricity
• Buy florescent bulbs. The newest ones are great, they turn on instantly and cast a warm glow, but they use about a quarter of the electricity of a traditional incandescent bulb and last 10 times as long, saving you money. Replacing just 6 bulbs will cut $35 per year from your electricity bill. (MSN Money)
• Save money in the bathroom. Buy water-efficient showerheads. A family of four can cut water usage by as much as 280 gallons a month.
• Recycle technology. Cell phones, digital cameras and camcorders have batteries that are illegal to throw out in states such as Florida, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey and Vermont, but wherever you live you can find a nearby store that will recycle them. Just go to rbrc.org.
• Adjust fridge and freezer temps. Refrigerators eat up the most electricity in the house – keep fridges at 37F and the freezer at 0F
• Buy a laptop. It uses a lot less power and electricity than a desktop computer.
• Double up on printing. Configure your printer to print on both sides of the paper.
• Shop for energy-efficient appliances. Just look for the Energy Star label on fridges, washers and other products, they use less water and/or electricity.
• Tote your own grocery bag. Bring your own sack to the grocery store to load your food. Check your local grocery store, they usually have them in the cashier’s aisle.