In honor of Earth Day, I compiled the following eco-friendly tips and ideas for you to begin living a more environmentally conscious lifestyle beginning today:

Create a Non Toxic Environment in Your Home
Your pets and family will appreciate living in a non-toxic environment. Gather up all products in your house or garage that contain unsafe chemicals and drop off at your local hazardous waste facility or attend a hazardous waste (HHW) event if available in your community. Examples of what needs to be disposed of at a hazardous waste facility:

Paint, Solvents, Batteries, Automotive Products such as Motor Oil, antifreeze, transmission fluid, Household cleaners such as rug cleaners, oven cleaner and drain cleaner, Kerosene, Pesticides such as weed killer, flea products and insect killer.

When Possible, Bike, Walk or Utilize Public Transportation
With the increasing number of commuters across the US, cars are largely responsible for creating one of the largest carbon footprints of all transportation. Utilize public transportation, carpool, or bike: your wallet and waistline will thank you!

Conserve Energy By Upgrading to Energy-Efficient Lighting Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs)
Initially, these bulbs may cost more than incandescent bulbs, but they also last up to 10 times longer. CFLs can substitute incandescent in just about any light fixture in your home.

*Be sure to recycle CFLs at the proper waste facility when they finally do run out to keep the mercury content out of landfills.

Reduce Waste
Simple choices we make each day can have a massive impact on the well being of our planet by reducing the need to create waste and filling our landfills:

1. When eating out or purchasing take out, request not to receive any unnecessary plastic utensils, straws, etc.
2. Buy products in bulk and/or contain the least amount of packaging. Avoiding convenience foods will save money and greatly reduce the amount of wasteful trash produced by your household.
3. Replace paper napkins and towels with cloth napkins. Store used napkins or towels in a small container in your kitchen and just wash and reuse as needed.
4. Print documents only when necessary, print on once-used paper and/or bleach-free, recycled paper with the highest post-consumer waste content available.
5. Check with your service and utility companies to request going to paperless billing. Most bills can be paid online, and you will save quite a bit of money in postage stamps!
6. Reuse paper you would otherwise toss by converting them into scratch pads.
7. Invest in a quality lunchbox with reusable containers to carry your lunch.
8. Invest in re-useable shopping bags.

Conserve water
Did you know that only 3% of the earth's water is freshwater? In addition, water-related energy consumes a large amount of energy. Here are some tips to protect this precious and critical resource and save yourself money:

1. Choose to water your lawn in the evenings when the air is cooler (never in mid day) to minimize evaporation.
2. Let grass grow longer and plant native or drought-tolerant garden plants.
3. Avoid letting faucets run. Don't let the water run when brushing your teeth, shaving, etc. Instead of letting the water run while cleaning your veggies rinse them in a pot with water.
4. Limit your shower time. A one or two minute reduction can save you 700 gallons! Better yet, install a low-flow showerhead to reduce the amount of water used.

Teach Your Children
Be an example to your child by adapting eco-friendly, sustainable habits into your daily routine. Teach them the importance of preserving our planet so they will continue this movement in the future. Plant a tree with a child and teach them to appreciate nature by hiking and walking in the woods. This tip is the most important thing we can do to protect the future of our planet and humanity.