12 simple things you can do to reduce your trash and improve your environment---Mother earth will love this:

 Recycling turns materials that would otherwise become waste into valuable resources. According to National environmental protection agency collecting used bottles, cans, and newspapers and taking them to the curb or to a collection facility contributes recycling benefits to our communities financially, environmentally and socially. 

 12 simple things you can do to reduce your trash and improve your environment---Mother earth will love this.

1. Number one: Instead of using Disposable paper Napkins-try using cotton hand cloth that can be washed and reused.
2. Try using cotton cloth---"Napkin diapers"  that is safe ---without toxic chemicals, can be washed and reused instead of disposable diapers.
3. Separate your trash to avoid mixing plastics, paper and food peels together in the trash, it will keep your trash clean and will make recycling easier. Plastic grocery bags-reusable bags can be used as a great alternative for small trash cans in your home.
4. Refill your old printer cartridges instead of buying new cartridges---this way you will save money, time and the environment.
5. Invest in rechargeable batteries instead of disposable batteries. Recycling batteries keeps hazardous metals out of landfills. Some companies, like Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation, Radio-shack and Office Depot, accept reusable ones. The Car batteries contain lead and can’t go in landfills, because toxic metals can leach into groundwater, but you can take it to the retailer selling them and have them collect it and recycle them.
6. Opt to receive statements and bills electronically using internet when possible instead of paper mails that will junk your home over time.
7. Use Eco-friendly food plastic or glass containers  to store your food or snacks ---avoid plastic wraps and foil. Opt for real plates whenever possible instead of paper or plastic plates.
   Instead of buying big bottles of ice or sweet tea at the grocery; try to make one at home when you can and store it in a reusable water-bottle. Reusable bottles is the way to go.
8. For shaving or waxing, i would suggest a tweezer,  waxing gel like Gigi all purpose honey waxing gel at sally beauty stores instead of using razors and it does last longer without adding more plastics waste to the land fill.
9.  Buy facial soap made with organic/herbal ingredients that is packaged in paper instead of plastics or you can buy products made by Eco-friendly companies like seventh generation, Enviro-One, Vermont organics etc and then recycle the bottles.
10. Many things that are not easily decomposed in landfills or recyclable, needs to be eliminated from your Eco-friendly home whenever possible.
11. Keep your sinks and surrounding clean and last but not the least, grow greener herbs and plants like rosemary, sage, eucalyptus to repel mosquitoes and other bacteria carrying pest.
12. Remember to keep your focus on living healthier to achieve a nontoxic lifestyle for yourself, your home and family. Keep it real simple---do what you can......no rules.

Benefits of recycling---why recycle By National environmental protection agency 

Recycling protects and expands US manufacturing jobs and increases US competitiveness.  Recycling reduces the need for land-filling and incineration. Recycling prevents pollution caused by the manufacturing of products from virgin materials.
    Recycling saves energy.
    Recycling decreases emissions of greenhouse gases that contribute to global climate change.
    Recycling conserves natural resources such as timber, water, and minerals.
    Recycling helps sustain the environment for future generations. For more info on recycling go to http://www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/rrr/recycle.htm

 Below is a little disadvantage of recycling i would like you to see this video by penn and teller----if you're under 21 please opt out of this video......(language).


 

Down to earth eco-friendly tips

The best way to live nontoxic Eco-friendly lifestyle is to live simple, “not  to lower your living standard but incorporate simple things and ways into your life". It will help you appreciate life better and you will be more compassionate about your environment. It takes commitment to make a change and stick with it. Love to live frugal & simple-you'll discover the real taste of life. 

Use biodegrade laundry detergents:

Detergents, fabric softeners and bleaches can be toxic to your family and to the environment. Some surfactants and fragrances in laundry detergents contain hormone-disrupting chemicals that can't always be removed by waste water treatment plants; it can harm you and local wildlife. Chlorine bleach creates dangerous byproducts, such as dioxin, when flushed down the drain- this is toxic to humans and aquatic life. Get your clothes clean without all of the pollution by switching to biodegradable toxic free cleaners.  Try non-chlorine bleach such as OxyBoost, baking soda option.

Support local organic farms: Try to locate organic farmers in your area, help to support their farm. Organic food is for optimal health  and organic food produce is best choice because it's grown without pesticide, herbicide and the soil is nurtured without chemicals or cruelty. You can also grow your own plants or start a Gaia's permaculture garden

Best- designing permaculture garden

Plant pleasant scenty indoor and out door plants in your home. Plants use carbon dioxide in their environment and produce oxygen in return; which in turn helps to promote oxygen and pleasant odor in your environment. 
Avoid polystyrene containers. Polystyrene- also commonly known as Styrofoam is not accepted by many recycling programs, and is banned in some cities because it takes a long time to decompose. Use reusable cups made of glass, cardboard, bio-plastic or even recyclable plastics.

Change your light Bulbs: Use fluorescent bulbs in your home whenever possible. They cost less to buy, use less energy, and last a lot longer. This means that you don't have to buy new bulbs frequently and you'll also save 543 kWh of electricity and reduce your CO2 emissions by 833 pounds. Remember to turn off electronic appliances and lights when not in use.

Use a clothing rack to dry small load of laundry: Dryers are great for when you need to dry large amounts of clothes at a time, but if you really don't go through all that much laundry at a time, then you should consider getting a clothing rack.Putting the rest of the clothes on a drying rack will save you money and your clothes will last a lot longer.

Set electronic Billing method: Pay bills online or over the phone or set up automatic check payment from your bank account. No envelopes, no papers to trash, no postage and no late fees.

Use reusable bag to shop at the grocery store. If you're using plastic bags from the store, try to reuse it as a trash bag in small trash bins, as a dogie bag instead of just throwing it away as trash.The city sewage and trash system is required to dispose plastic trash properly but we can help reduce the amount of plastic waste we accumulate. A reusable bag helps to reduce plastic trash.


Reuse containers- for e.g; if you purchase oat meal, after the oat meal is finished, you can use the container to store other things (it's usually an air tight container)

Sweep your drive way instead of washing with water host, turn off tap when brushing to conserve water.Try using a more water conserving and efficient method to water your garden.

Use baking soda to clean: Sprinkle a little baking soda on carpets overnight to absorb musty odors.
Open a box of baking soda and keep it in your fridge to absorb bad odors for up to a month.
Sprinkle some baking soda in your trash before inserting your bag, it helps reduce the unpleasant trash bin odor.
Add baking soda to clean and remove gunk on stuff, for e.g when cleaning dishes, pots, cleaning bathroom sinks & toilet or even mopping the floor. Baking soda cleans grease and burnt cooking pots well like zim.
Add baking soda to whites when washing for brightening.

Air freshener: Use pure Aromatherapy oil or flowers such as vanilla extract for freshening your home instead of the toxic brand air freshener or get a nontoxic Air freshener.

Use vinegar and baking soda to clean fridge or glass surfaces like windows and doors---for removing soap or hard-water buildup on chrome fixtures: put tissues over the stained area; pour on vinegar and let it sit for 30minutes; scrub, rinse and buff dry with a soft cloth.

Use hydrogen peroxide to remove mildew, Algae on titles and plastic surface. pour enough to cover area; let it sit an hour, scrub, rinse, and dry.

Become a vegetarian- help stop animal cruelty beginning with yourself. Take a pledge to avoid cruelty to animal by going vegetarian https://secure.peta.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2055 and get Vegan Recipes http://www.peta.org/living/vegetarian-living/free-vegetarian-starter-kit-friend.aspx  Help discourage animal hunting and killing. 
Avoid fur and animal clothing at all times; there are other many alternatives.

Finally, Look for ways to conserve & create nontoxic Eco-friendly lifestyle.


Author: Onyinye A