Easy Green Chic Post #1

I've started reading Green Chic: Saving the Earth in Style by Christie Matheson. It's pretty good and I'd advise everyone to read it if you're interested in living a more green life. For those who aren't going to pick the book up no matter what I say, I've decided to post Easy Green Chic Tips.

Tip #1: Change your lightbulbs
Switch from incandescent lightbulbs (regular lightbulbs) to energy-saving compact flourescent bulbs (CFL). Energy-star rated CFLs use about 2/3 less electricity than regular bulbs, but warning, they do costs a bit more than your average bulbs. I almost didn't buy my first CFL bulb because of the price (they're about $4-7), but I thought about what I've read and decided, screw it, I'll try it out. CFLs last ten times longer than incandescent lightbulbs and have an average lifespan of 5 years which means you save money in the long run.

Other things you should know about CFLs:

• Watch for the conversion wattage on CFL boxes. A 20 watt CLF is about the same as a 75 watt incandescent.
• The diposal of CFLs is a bit more difficult than disposing your regular lightbulbs. Because CFLs contain about 5 milligrams/less of mercury (older home thermometers contain about 500 milligrams of mercury), you can't just toss out the lightbulb in the garbage. The mercury could seep into soil and groundwater or evaporate into a toxic gas. Check earth911.org or lamprecycle.org to find out about recycling and disposal options near you. You can also bring CFLs to IKEA, where they have a CFL take-back program. At the LAST resort, seal the burned out CFL in two zip bags before disposing. Make sure not to dump it in an incinerator though.

Other "duh" tips ("Duh" as in you probably already know this but I'll restate it for you anyways):

• Turn off the light whenever possible. You can even try watching a movie, listening to music or eating dinner by candlelight!
• Drink tap water instead of bottled water. It takes lots of energy to produce plastic bottles. Try drinking tap water and filling a reusable bottle if you're on the go. If you have to buy water, try buying glass bottles, which take way less energy to produce. And remember, recycle after use!
• Keep the water running for as little time as possible, like turning it off while you're brushing your teeth or taking quicker showers.