Toss the Toxins
You can’t judge paint by the can. Volatile organic compounds or VOCs can be found in some paint thinners, adhesives and colourants. Choose products with low amounts of VOC because they will have less of an impact on air quality and the environment as a whole. Water-based or latex paints and primers are generally lower in VOCs than oil-based ones.
Haste Makes Waste
Take out less trash by using a kitchen composter. It will reduce kitchen waste while producing an organic soil additive, so you can watch the fruits of your labour grow right in your backyard. Having plants indoors also helps to filter out harmful airborne chemicals, so spruce up your space with a little greenery.
More Floor for Less
Looking to reduce your carbon footprint? Look no further than your floors.
You can have nice floors without walking all over the environment. Choose from natural bamboo, sustainably harvested cork, polished concrete, stone, or recycled glass tile.
Reuse, Refill and Recharge
A lot of waste happens in the office, especially with batteries, ink cartridges, toner tanks and paper being tossed out from day to day. Now, Staples is giving you a better reason to stop by besides stocking up on stationery. Staples now accepts old inkjets & toner cartridges and dead cell phones to be refurbished and recycled. What to do between trips? Purchase rechargeable batteries, refillable toner and try to print more than once on a single sheet of paper.
The Lap is Top
Not only do laptops provide limitless convenience, but they are also less needy than the traditional desktop. Forget the desk and the cord confusion, the weight of the computer alone will have you wanting one. And the best thing about laptops is that they come in green; using only one eighth of the power of a traditional desktop, they are clearly the best choice for any enviro-conscious user.
Lighten Up
Compact Fluorescent Lighting (CFLs) use less energy and last a lot longer which results in a lower bill at the end of the month and needless to say, a happier you. Light emitting diodes (LEDs) last even longer and use even less heat than CFLs. Although both options do cost a bit more to maintain, the result is energy-efficiency at its best.
We’re Living in a Material World.
Serve the environment in good taste. Choose bedding made from organic cotton linens and window treatments made from naturally textured materials such as linen, bamboo or seagrass. When buying furniture, avoid particle board, plywood and other wood composites which often contain harmful chemicals like formaldehyde. And whenever possible, support your local merchants by buying locally-made products.
Look for the Labels
When shopping for household products, check for certification from reputable programs such as Energy Star, FSC, Green Label Plus (low-emitting rugs and carpets) and Green Seal (enviro-friendly paints) to list a few.
