Eco Tips Galore!
I just wanted to take this time to thank all of you “Green Superleaders” who are making an outragouesly super effort to become eco-friendly. Although the 2009 school year is over, it does not mean that you have to stop trying. There are many cool things that you can do to become - or continue - to be eco-friendly. Some of the cool tips that I found are simple and easy to use. Eco-friendly opportunities and tips include, but are most definitely not limited to:
• When you and your family grow out of old clothes, don't throw them away. Take them to a local thrift store such as a consignment shop, Good Will or the Salvation Army.
• When baking or cooking buy use re-usable containers. They last longer and can be recycled when you are finished using them.
• Instead of disposable batteries, buy rechargeable batteries. They are a little more expensive but over the years they are a money and energy saver.
• What does that recycle logo stand for? If you find a recycling logo that has a dark background it means the product that you are holding is made from recycled materials. If it is on a lighter background it means that the product can be recycled.
• When the toner and printer cartridges from your computer run out return them to the manufacturer. The containers can be refilled used again. By doing this you will not only help to save the earth, but the manufacturing company, or store you bought it at, will give you credit or money back. Groups have even taken on collecting empty cartridges for a fundraiser.
• If something can be cooked in the microwave as well as in the over or on the stovetop, choose the microwave. Microwaves cook just as well and they use less energy.
• When cooking on the stove keep a lid on the pot. When a lid is off the heat that is created is lost. Keeping a lid on it saves energy.
Common sense can be eco-friendly too! Use what knowledge you already have and expand! One of my absolute favorite websites that focuses on going green is http://www.ecowise.com . Just because the end of the year is near does not mean you have to stop. If we don't help the earth now the end will be near for us! Think about this written by William Ruckelshaus: “Nature provides a free lunch, but only if we control our appetites." As our fourth purpose tells us; we as FCCLA members, need to encourage individual and group involvement in helping achieve global cooperation and harmony. We need to give back to the earth what we have taken in natural resources. We, as Superleaders, should be thinking about our future and how becoming eco-friendly will help generations to come.