Green Resolutions for 2010
Paper or plastic? Make that neither when you bring your own reusable shopping bag. Pretty soon, it'll be second nature. Just like these 5 Green Resolutions you can make for 2010. Plus, a few ideas on how to keep them.
1. Waste Not
In a world of disposable everything, you're bound to find easy waste-savers wherever you look. Switch from water bottles to a steel canteen, to-go cups to a travel mug, or from alkaline batteries to rechargeables. When your phone reaches the end of its life cycle, stop into any T-Mobile store and contribute to the Handset Recycling Program.
2. Stop Energy Leaks
Compact fluorescent light bulbs use less power and last longer than their outdated competitors. But don't stop there. You can replace your outdoor lighting with “solar lights”—lamps that pack their own mini-solar panels. Pretty cool, huh? You can find more energy-saving innovations at retailers like Lamps Plus®, who are committed to promoting green solutions in the home.
3. Commute with Care
To get around, you've got options. Carpooling, public transportation, walking—or schedule a few days each month to work from home. When you need to hop in your car, look for ways to get the best gas mileage—like keeping your tires inflated or removing bulky, heavy items from the trunk to lighten your overall load.
4. Clean Green
Protecting the environment starts in your own home. Create a healthy living space for you and your family with non-toxic supplies from green brands like method®. Better yet, use natural cleaning agents like baking soda, lemon and vinegar to disinfect and deodorize. They're gentle in your home, harmless on the environment, and lighter on your budget.
5. Shop with Integrity
Reward responsible companies with your dollar, or in other words, shop green! Opt for renewable materials like bamboo, buy second-hand, or make the local organic choice whenever you can. Need a little encouragement? Download the FREE Green Perks app to your phone and you'll receive enticing deals and discounts from green companies like Go Gaga™ and Aveda.
Little things make a big difference.
There are always new ways, new technologies and new insights into how we can all be just a little greener. Here are a few things we can all do.
Recycle your old phones. And chargers, batteries, PDAs, cables, headsets, earpieces, cases, clips, and cradles. Not only does this encourage re-use, it also helps dispose of these devices in an environmentally friendly way.
More on the T-Mobile Handset Recycling Program >
Unplug it. Here's a tip from Green Living Tips: You can reduce your electricity bills by as much as 10% simply by unplugging appliances or switching off devices, like phone chargers and computer adaptors, when you're not using them.
Green your computer. A few little things can make a big impact. If you're not using your computer for long stretches, shut it down or turn off the power strip. (This is preferable to putting it to "sleep.") Be sure you take advantage of the power-saving options your computer offers. If you're going to use a screensaver, use a black one. And, finally, when it's time to upgrade, recycle your old machine.
Reclaim your mailbox. According to PayItGreen, by switching to electronic bills, statements and payments, the average household can save 6.6 pounds of paper, avoid using 4.5 gallons of gasoline, and avoid producing 171 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions. Every year.
If you haven't already, be sure to sign up for a free T-Mobile Green Account. The Green Account combines Paperless Billing, EasyPay, and e-mail updates in one paper-saving package. We'll plant a tree on your behalf when you enroll. Sign up for a Green Account >
Want to do more? Free services like Catalog Choice can help you put a stop to unwanted catalogs and mail. Go to Catalog Choice >
Use voicemail instead of an answering machine. So says The Daily Green. In fact, they quote this tidbit from the Green Book: "If all answering machines currently used in U.S. homes were replaced by voice mail, the annual energy savings would be nearly 2 billion kilowatt-hours, equivalent to taking 250,000 cars off the road." So make the move, and make a difference.
Move to greener lighting. According to Planet Green, compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) use about a quarter as much energy as incandescent bulbs and pay for their higher cost in about 500 hours. Light emitting diodes (LEDs) cost a little more but last even longer. It's an easy switch that really adds up.
Use the dishwasher. According to The Daily Green, running a fully loaded dishwasher can use a third less water than washing the dishes by hand. If you don't rinse them first, this can save up to 10 to 20 gallons of water a day. Not to mention that it sure beats having to wash the dishes by hand.
Paper or plastic? Make that neither when you bring your own reusable shopping bag. Pretty soon, it'll be second nature. Just like these 5 Green Resolutions you can make for 2010. Plus, a few ideas on how to keep them.
1. Waste Not
In a world of disposable everything, you're bound to find easy waste-savers wherever you look. Switch from water bottles to a steel canteen, to-go cups to a travel mug, or from alkaline batteries to rechargeables. When your phone reaches the end of its life cycle, stop into any T-Mobile store and contribute to the Handset Recycling Program.
2. Stop Energy Leaks
Compact fluorescent light bulbs use less power and last longer than their outdated competitors. But don't stop there. You can replace your outdoor lighting with “solar lights”—lamps that pack their own mini-solar panels. Pretty cool, huh? You can find more energy-saving innovations at retailers like Lamps Plus®, who are committed to promoting green solutions in the home.
3. Commute with Care
To get around, you've got options. Carpooling, public transportation, walking—or schedule a few days each month to work from home. When you need to hop in your car, look for ways to get the best gas mileage—like keeping your tires inflated or removing bulky, heavy items from the trunk to lighten your overall load.
4. Clean Green
Protecting the environment starts in your own home. Create a healthy living space for you and your family with non-toxic supplies from green brands like method®. Better yet, use natural cleaning agents like baking soda, lemon and vinegar to disinfect and deodorize. They're gentle in your home, harmless on the environment, and lighter on your budget.
5. Shop with Integrity
Reward responsible companies with your dollar, or in other words, shop green! Opt for renewable materials like bamboo, buy second-hand, or make the local organic choice whenever you can. Need a little encouragement? Download the FREE Green Perks app to your phone and you'll receive enticing deals and discounts from green companies like Go Gaga™ and Aveda.
Little things make a big difference.
There are always new ways, new technologies and new insights into how we can all be just a little greener. Here are a few things we can all do.
Recycle your old phones. And chargers, batteries, PDAs, cables, headsets, earpieces, cases, clips, and cradles. Not only does this encourage re-use, it also helps dispose of these devices in an environmentally friendly way.
More on the T-Mobile Handset Recycling Program >
Unplug it. Here's a tip from Green Living Tips: You can reduce your electricity bills by as much as 10% simply by unplugging appliances or switching off devices, like phone chargers and computer adaptors, when you're not using them.
Green your computer. A few little things can make a big impact. If you're not using your computer for long stretches, shut it down or turn off the power strip. (This is preferable to putting it to "sleep.") Be sure you take advantage of the power-saving options your computer offers. If you're going to use a screensaver, use a black one. And, finally, when it's time to upgrade, recycle your old machine.
Reclaim your mailbox. According to PayItGreen, by switching to electronic bills, statements and payments, the average household can save 6.6 pounds of paper, avoid using 4.5 gallons of gasoline, and avoid producing 171 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions. Every year.
If you haven't already, be sure to sign up for a free T-Mobile Green Account. The Green Account combines Paperless Billing, EasyPay, and e-mail updates in one paper-saving package. We'll plant a tree on your behalf when you enroll. Sign up for a Green Account >
Want to do more? Free services like Catalog Choice can help you put a stop to unwanted catalogs and mail. Go to Catalog Choice >
Use voicemail instead of an answering machine. So says The Daily Green. In fact, they quote this tidbit from the Green Book: "If all answering machines currently used in U.S. homes were replaced by voice mail, the annual energy savings would be nearly 2 billion kilowatt-hours, equivalent to taking 250,000 cars off the road." So make the move, and make a difference.
Move to greener lighting. According to Planet Green, compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) use about a quarter as much energy as incandescent bulbs and pay for their higher cost in about 500 hours. Light emitting diodes (LEDs) cost a little more but last even longer. It's an easy switch that really adds up.
Use the dishwasher. According to The Daily Green, running a fully loaded dishwasher can use a third less water than washing the dishes by hand. If you don't rinse them first, this can save up to 10 to 20 gallons of water a day. Not to mention that it sure beats having to wash the dishes by hand.
