Go Green this Spring!
By: Kelly Siegel
Although it still feels like winter in parts of the Midwest, spring is officially here! As we gear up for the start of spring and plan spring activities it is important to remember to keep these activities green. Here are some ideas to make the most of the season:
- Get your hands dirty and plant a vegetable garden. It takes some work and patience now, but when you are eating your home grown tomatoes this summer, it will all be worth it.
- Get outside. Go for long walks, bike rides, or runs and explore your neighborhood you have missed over winter.
- Many of us associate spring with spring cleaning. Go through those old boxes and your closet and donate, recycle, or reuse anything you don’t need any more. You never know what you might find!
- On the topic of spring cleaning, use green cleaning supplies. There are even ways to make your own. It is very simple and not only better for the environment, but your wallet as well.
- Use reusable water bottles – You can get some with cool designs and not waste plastic water bottles.
Do you have other tips to go green this spring? Please share.
Kelly Siegel is a student volunteer in the EPA’s Air and Radiation Division in Region 5, and is currently obtaining her Master’s degree in Urban Planning and Policy at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She has a passion for sustainable development, running, and traveling with friends
Apr 01, 2013 @ 22:04:11
This is very usefull stuff for me
Apr 17, 2013 @ 20:53:51
number 2 is my favorite and number 5 is a good one!
May 16, 2013 @ 15:07:59
Don’t let spring cleaning be an excuse to go out and buy new cleaning supplies! Chances are, the cleaning supplies you have now are likely still able to be used and are most likely not broken. There’s no reason to go buy a new vacuum when the vacuum you have right now still works, right? All that would do is make the manufacturer make more vacuums, thus spending more money and resources and causing more pollution. Don’t let sales on cleaning supplies convince you that what you have isn’t good enough– that’s exactly what they want!
May 21, 2013 @ 13:09:28
So the planned obsolescence of small appliances is an environmental problem? Manufacturers need to know that we, the consumers, will spend more on a quality appliance that will last a long, long time.
Jul 10, 2013 @ 11:16:08
We can conserve by:
1. Turn off the lights when you leave the room.
2. Turn off you computer speakers or sound bar until you need them.
3. Turn off your printer until you need it.
4. Make sure the lights are off in closets and storage areas.
5. Remind others to do the same so we can make a difference together.
Feb 21, 2014 @ 12:40:20
You have many good tips here. Along with those walks and bike rides, utilize those forms of transportation rather than using your car as much as you can to reduce the carbon footprint.