Green Tips, Courtesy of Ellen DeFrancesco, Macaroni Kid
LongBeach - Oceanside, NY
1) Phantom Electric: This is not from an episode of Scooby Doo. It's the electric still being used when all your appliances are plugged in but not actually turned on. I unplug all my appliances when I'm not using them.
2) Turn the water off: This one is easy. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or soaping up your hands. It's just wasting water and after awhile I promise you, you will do it automatically.
3) Take your shoes off at the front door: By not tracking in dirt and debris you reduce indoor toxins and it helps to keep your floors clean - a bonus.
4) Make your own ice pops: My kids love ice pops so I use my own juice (orange, lemonade and pomegranate) - this way I know what's in the ice pops they're eating and it's reusable (no extra packaging and no sticks to throw out). I use the Tovolo Ice Pop Molds because they are BPA free and easy to use, clean and for the kids to hold.
5) Recycle Hangers: Bring your extra hangers to a dry cleaner. I've never had a dry cleaner turn me down.
6) Recycle Home Materials: When renovating your home, instead of throwing out your existing materials, donate them to Habitat for Humanity. You save space in the landfill, collect a charitable tax credit for the donation, and help a good cause. Visit Habitat to find an affiliate near you.
7) Recycle Vases From Florists: My husband loves to buy me flowers but I already have a ton of vases. So when I have extra (the ones I get with the flowers) I bring them back to the florist. Cleans out my closet of vases I don't use anyway and they LOVE to get them back and use again.
8) Cold Water Wash: Wash your clothes in cold water. Your clothes will be just as clean in cold laundry, but it will save money on your energy bill; keep your clothes looking better, longer; and helps the planet.
9) Meatless Mondays: You can reduce your carbon footprint AND save money by serving one meatless meal a week. Do it more than once a week...BONUS!
10) Programmable thermostat...enough said.
For more tips, CLICK HERE for the full article!
BOOKS ABOUT EARTH DAY!
There are many books that celebrate the earth and show you how to keep the earth clean and healthy. If you want to learn more about Earth Day, check out these books at your local library or book store:
Celebrating Earth Day (Circle the Year With Holidays),written by Janet McDonnell and illustrated by Diana Magnuson.
Clifford's Spring Clean-Up, written by Norman Bridwell.
Earth Day, written by Linda Lowery and illustrated by Mary Bergherr.
Earth Day, written by Willma W. Gore.
Every Day Is Earth Day: A Craft Book (Holiday Crafts for Kids), written by Kathy Ross and illustrated by Sharon Lane Holm.
For the Love of Our Earth, written by P.K. Hallinan.
Grover's 10 Terrific Ways to Help our Wonderful World, written by Anna Ross and illustrated by Tom Leigh.
Just a Dream, written by Chris Van Allsburg.
Keeper of the Swamp, written by Ann Garrett and illustrated by Karen Chandler.
Mother Earth, written by Nancy Luenn and illustrated by Neil Waldman.
Mr. Garbage, written by William H. Hooks and illustrated by Kate Duke.
Pollution? No Problem!, written by David Morichon.
Tanya's Big Green Dream, written by Lida Glaser and illustrated by Susan McGinnis.
365 Ways for You and Your Children to Save the Earth One Day at a Time, written by Michael and Pat Hilton.
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Courtesy of the U.S. Environemntal Protection Agency
For these and many other great Earth Day ideas for kids, check out the EPA's Kid's Earth Day site: http://www.epa.gov/superfund/kids/earthday.htm
