Why? You use less, avoid the weight of transported water, eliminate the bottles, and avoid toxins often included as scent and suspension agents. There are also so many cool, craft-made options out there. Buy local!<\/p>\n
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Shower before getting into the pool.<\/strong><\/p>\n Why? The lotions, deodorants, and cosmetics, as well as sweat of the day load the pool and increase use of chemicals while putting pressure\/wear on filtration systems. They can also adversely affect others in the pool.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Freeze the ends of veggies.<\/strong><\/p>\n Why? You can then simmer them once a month or once every few months to make your own wholesome vegetable stock. Then compost the remainders.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Use a refillable Keurig filter or, better, switch to an electric teakettle and a French Press.<\/strong><\/p>\n Why? Keurig pods create a lot of waste. “75 million homes (in the USA) brewing single-use pods like K-cups every day”\u00a0From the Story of Stuff.<\/a>\u00a0 A refillable means avoiding that waste, and you can still choose the flavors you like. A French press does even better, as you can change the strength (some days I need COFFEE and some I need only coffee). An electric tea kettle is safest, and powers with electricity which, over time, will become more and more from renewable energy production.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Why? Food storage has moved to plastic which is one of the biggest burdens on our waste stream and on our planet. This approach will also save you loads of money. Trust me. I have a bag dryer on my counter (next to my electric tea kettle and under my LED lighting)…I use it nearly every day.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Take off your shoes in the house. At least provide a good outdoor walk off mat and an indoor one you can wash periodically.<\/strong><\/p>\n Why? Think of everything you are tracking in, including lead and petrochemicals from roadways, dog poop, spit, and normal, friendly, dirt. Walk-off mats or removing your shoes will keep your interior air cleaner, and extend the life of your carpets and floors.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Don\u2019t buy scent diffusers – make your own with some vodka and essential oils.<\/strong><\/p>\n Why? Many industry scents are classed as neurotoxins, and there are little to no regulations for scents as they are typically proprietary in nature. Select essential oils, and control how much you use. Certainly never use plug in diffusers. They are not only toxic, but can be a fire hazard.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Carry containers for leftovers in your car, along with reusable bags.<\/strong><\/p>\n Why? You will benefit tremendously from not having takeaway containers fill up your garbage cans.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Rinse your bathing suit after wearing in the pool or ocean. Only wash it once in awhile (barring too much sand, seaweed or sunscreen on it).<\/strong><\/p>\n Why? Although \u201cless is more\u201d is misquoted more often than less, it is true that washing clothes less means more life for the garment. You need to get the chlorine or salt out of bathing suits, but you do not need to apply soap or rigorous washing very often. Your suit will last longer, and keep its color and stretch better.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Try using about half the required detergent along with spot treating dirty areas.<\/strong><\/p>\n Why? Save money, save water systems, and save your clothes. Focus the cleaning, and use less soap overall. And certainly less \u201csoftener\u201d which is often scent-laden.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hang up clothes wrinkled, and iron them only before wearing.<\/strong><\/p>\n Why? Anyone with experience in theatre will tell you this is much more effective in helping clothes last longer. Also most sizing actually starts to \u201cburn\u201d and degrade clothes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Use wood cutting boards. I choose bamboo for durability.<\/strong><\/p>\n Why? Although personal preference is part of this, certainly, wood has inherent anti-microbial properties that plastic does not have. It is easy on knives. It is readily cleaned with warm soapy water. It does take a periodic oiling. I\u2019d rather eat wood than plastic.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When using an escalator, move to the right if you plan on standing still for the ride.<\/strong><\/p>\n Why? Aaargh, really? Escalators were created to speed transportation. Allow people to use them this way by letting walkers move past you. Same on the people movers at the airport.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/2bgreener.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/IMG_0280-225x300.jpg\")
<\/a>Wash your ziplock bags…and when they are dead, cut off the zip and recycle the plastic bag with any local soft plastic recycling. In NY this occurs at grocery stores over 10,000 sf in size.<\/strong><\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/2bgreener.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Water-bottle-225x300.jpg\")
<\/a>Refuse single use water bottles, even when they are given to you at events.<\/strong><\/p>\n