Go Greener Tips

Posts Tagged ‘green tips’

Introduction:

Global warming impact to our quality and cost of living is large and really catastrophic. Homeowners are well aware of the increasing energy prices to heat, cool and illuminate their homes. The increasing prices of oil and different fossil fuels are every day headlines. The insatiable demand for vitality to gasoline world growth ensures that the cost of these restricted fuels will proceed to increase. Political/economic forces will determine the speed of improve for fossil fuels. In addition, the increasing cost of worldwide warming utilizing fossil fuels is slowly being recognized.

The world is slowly beginning to grasp the urgent want for renewable energy sources. However, each of these alternative energy sources brings major advantages and disadvantages. An instance is wind generated energy. Wind energy is on the market to the whole world and generates electrical energy competitively with fossil fuels. The technology is known and straightforward to apply. But, there are huge objections to a windmill in “my back yard”. Also, the number of birds and bats that will likely be crushed with wind energy generation just isn’t a warming thought. Wind technology shall be a part of our energy solution. However, due to the above concerns, we need other major solutions to meet our demand for energy sources.

This search leads us to solar energy. The quantity of solar energy placing our world in someday is sufficient to produce our energy demands for a year. We won’t run out of this source within the foreseeable future. The major barrier to harnessing solar energy has been cost and convenience. For example, drying clothes in a dryer is less complicated than hanging garments on an outside line, thus convenience precluded efforts to seek out more energy efficiency. We can convert solar power to electricity but with a significant capital cost. Greater acceptance and use of solar power will lead to lower cost.

Solar Energy:

Energy from solar energy may be divided into two main categories:

Passive Solar Energy: This expertise ranges from clothes drying in the sun to solar heating for warm water and lots of other passive techniques. All are essential for our present and future high quality of life. The expertise is properly understood and could be implemented as economics and house conditions allow.

Active Solar Energy: One of the lively solar energy technologies is converting solar vitality directly into electricity. It is known as photovoltaic cell or PV. This is a device that converts light into electricity utilizing the photoelectric effect. The first working photo voltaic cells have been constructed by Charles Fritts in 1883. These prototype cells were product of selenium and achieved efficiencies round one percent. The silicon photo voltaic cell was created in 1954. The photo voltaic cell has benefited from the development of silicon semiconductors.

Physics of Active Solar Energy:

The physics of photon to electrical energy conversion is nicely understood by physicists. The basic model is of a photon from the solar which strikes the cell materials and excites electrons that emit electricity. This mannequin is simple compared to the complexity of contemporary day semiconductors. The main variables of PV electrical technology are cell materials and impurities in the cell material.

Manufacturing Technology for Active Solar Energy:

Primarily single crystal, high purity silicon has been used to generate photon to electrical energy conversion. The manufacturing strategies for single crystal silicon and limited quantities of pure silicon impose a high price for PV devices. Shortages of refined silicon have been hampering manufacturing worldwide since late 2004. This shortage persists to this date and has slowed PV growth. New materials are starting to come ahead which ought to lower the PV materials hurdle.

Efficiency growth of Active Solar Energy:

Since the silicon PV invention in 1954, cheaper fossil fuel costs largely removed solar energy from the public consciousness. Annual development of electrical technology by PV ranged from 10 to 20% p.c throughout the 1980′s and 1990′s. Worldwide installation of PV reached one thousand megawatts in 1999. Manufacturing costs for PV arrays has been dropping 3 to 5% over the current years. This value drop started to expand using PV electrical energy generation. Total peak energy of put in PV was round 6000 megawatts on the end of 2006. Installed PV is projected to increase to over 9,000 megawatts in 2007. The average lowest retail cost of large photovoltaic arrays has declined from $7.50 to $4.00 per watt between 1990 and 2005.

PV supplies have additionally been enhancing in current years. The most up-to-date materials method is to process discrete cells on silicon wafers reduce from multi crystalline ribbons which form skinny films. This strategy is the least costly of identified technologies. This group of technologies includes amorphous silicon cells deposited on stainless-steel ribbon, cadmium telluride (CdTe) cells deposited on glass, and copper indium gallium dielenide (CIGS) alloy cells deposited on either glass or stainless steel substrates. The efficiencies of these new materials are at the moment at 20%. Many researchers are working to enhance the efficiencies. An added benefit of the brand new thin movies is that they are flexible and are at the moment being utilized in roofing materials.

Current Trends in Generating Active Solar Energy:

Commercial businesses like Google, IBM, BJ’s Wholesale, Estee Lauder, Kohls, Target, Tiffany & Co., Wal-Mart are installing PV photo voltaic energy. From “big box” low cost giants to high end commercial businesses PV solar power is discovering acceptance in 2007. The most recent retail-outfitter to turn into part of this development is Macy’s, which introduced earlier this month that it will install photo voltaic powered systems on 26 stores all through California. These leading corporations are turning to solar energy because it makes good business sense and helps their environmental initiative. Creative monetary arrangements allow these firms to afford the upfront capital costs and payback their loans with vitality savings. So what does all this mean to the typical home owner? PV Cost per Kilowatt (kWh):

In the California market, where state incentives and web metering are in place, PV electricity prices are dipping under 11¢/kWh, on par with some utility-delivered power. Moreover, according to the United States PV Industry Roadmap, solar electricity will continue this trend and become competitive by 2010 for many domestic markets. The outlook could be very positive for PV era of electricity. Once the capital investment is made, the price of PV electricity is equivalent to fossil fuels and will continue to decrease.

Cost of PV Installation:

The value of installation is the most important barrier that must be overcome for widespread PV acceptance. Around 59% of world solar product gross sales installed in the last five years were applications which might be tied to the electricity grid. Solar energy prices in these purposes are 5-20 times more expensive than the most cost effective source of conventional electricity generation. This premium is properly beyond the reach of the average home owner.

Fortunately, there are financial models coming forward to enable the buyer to finance PV solar installation and pay for this installation with the electrical savings. In order to make these monetary models successful, federal and state incentives are needed and the installation ought to be connected to the electrical grid. These connections allow the home owner to promote back electrical energy when extreme amounts are available and to receive electrical energy when solar conditions don’t allow adequate electricity. Only fifty % of our states have modernized to permit on-grid PV photo voltaic energy.

Berkeley, California is leading the best way to enable it citizens to avoid wasting electrical cost and meet environmental needs. Here is how their plan works. A property owner hires a city-approved photo voltaic installer, who determines the very best solar system for the property, depending on energy use. Most residential photo voltaic panel systems in the city cost from $15,000 to $20,000.

The city can pay the contractor for the system and its installation, minus any relevant state and federal rebates, and would add an assessment to the property owner’s tax bill to pay for the system. The extra tax would include administrative fees and interest, which would be decrease than what the property owner may obtain on their own, because town would secure low-interest bonds and loans. The tax would stay with the property even if the proprietor sold, though the owner must leave the solar panels. The property proprietor would get monetary savings on monthly Pacific Gas & Electric bills as a result of electricity generated by the photo voltaic panels would partly replace electrical energy delivered by the utility. After the assessment expired, the solar panels, of a easy technology that requires little or no maintenance, would continue to partly replace PG&E electricity.

The Berkeley plan is a map for the remainder of the world to permit us affordable electricity and meet our duties to the environment.

I have a BS and MS in Metallurgical Engineering. Thirty six years spent in the development of semiconductors. Business experience in begin up enterprise plan. Currently, an oyster farmer and enthusiastic about helping the surroundings by deploying photo voltaic energy. Please go to my Web Site http://www.charlestonenvironmentalhelp.com

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

With modern technology, now you can save tremendous electricity. magnets 4 energy review will show you how you can do that. Save energy as well as produce your own home energy using magnets 4 energy. Learn more to use it here: magnets 4 energy. Start your new life today…

The costs and benefits between photo voltaic and wind energy are very subjective. There are necessarily three elements that decide the economics: capitol costs, operating and maintenance costs and fuel costs. These must be considered when comparing renewable power sources with conventional energy sources as well as when evaluating one type with the other. Interestingly enough, the price of renewable vitality is enjoying an inherent decreasing value curve whereas non-renewable sources are growing in cost. Generally speaking, costs for photovoltaic and concentrating solar energy (CSP) produced energy are higher in comparison to overall wind vitality costs. The prices of wind versus nuclear, coal and pure gas are comparable, incidentally.

There is a rise in the cost of renewable energy when you think about the costs related to connecting it to the infrastructure that at the moment exists. Variability in issues such as weather, the load demand, and material prices affect the prices and advantages between solar and wind energy. In the time between 2004 and 2008 the two industries have experienced a large increase in productivity. Solar photovoltaic power production went up more than six hundred percent. Wind powered power production increased by two-hundred p.c in that time. Solar heating and bio-diesel manufacturing saw significant increases during that point also. Wind power became established globally between 1996 and 2008. By this year, world wide wind farm capability reached almost 158,000 megawatts. This shows an increase of thirty-one percent within the last yr and accounts for one level three % of the worldwide electricity consumed.

The solar energy industry experienced speedy growth just lately as well. By 2009, it’s estimated that one other one level two gig watts of power will be added to the world supply through photo voltaic energy. There are currently, massive projects underway in Spain and the U.S. The World Bank can also be sponsoring projects for thermal –combined-cycle gas turbine engine vegetation in Morocco, Mexico and Egypt. Spain has one of many world’s largest photovoltaic power plants which can produce 60 MW of electricity. In Germany’s Strasskirchen Solar Park, 54MW is made. Portugal contributes 46 MW of electrical energy to the world production levels as well.

In many cases, these plants work at the side of agriculture, utilizing innovative tracking techniques which observe the suns’ path across the sky, thus producing energy more efficiently than the more generally seen fixed-mounted types. These stations operate without fuel prices and without dangerous emissions. However, when considering renewable power PV systems, it isn’t just the massive arrays that make a difference. Integrated photovoltaic programs built on site and matched to the end use energy needs of communities and individuals may be economical when it comes to supplying electricity close to where it’s needed. So the prices and benefits between solar and wind vitality are very subjective in response to the legal guidelines of provide and demand and native economical factors.

With modern technology, now you can save tremendous electricity. magnets 4 energy review will show you how you can do that. Save energy as well as produce your own home energy using magnets 4 energy. Learn more to use it here: magnets 4 energy. Start your new life today…

Making homemade solar panels is not as tough as chances are you’ll think and building them yourself can prevent hundreds and even thousands of dollars over purchasing panels which are already assembled. There are several completely different alternatives in terms of making your own, you’ll be able to build them over fully from scratch using free data off of the internet, and there are also many great web sites that have DIY kits, which we are going to talk briefly about.

There are some basic elements to homemade photo voltaic panels. You need the Polycrystalline Solar cells themselves, which yow will discover from varied outlets, the lowest priced you will find them is on eBay, or another online supply like Amazon. Then there may be the body work, power inverter and storage batteries. Depending in your individual needs, you’ll require two to 5 panels to provide the minimum power for a regular home. You can buy various sizes of cells, but just to avoid wasting time soldering them together, you should try to find 3″x6″ mono-crystalline cells, and you have to 36 of these for a standard panel. Each cell is going to put out about half a volt, so you can be putting out around 18 volts per panel. You have to be extremely careful when handling these cells, as a result of while they’re powerful, they are fragile.

Then you will need the platform in your panel. You will require a sheet of plywood, at the least ½ inch thick and a few 1″x1″ boards,three to 4 per panel. Then you’ll need some pegboard to suit into the wells of the shape, where you will glue the photo voltaic cells to. You must also purchase sheets of plexiglass to cover the entire thing, so as to defend the cells from the climate and debris.

You are going to need to solder the cells together in a sequence, then solder each sequence to find the desired output. It is a good idea to purchase a voltage meter, and when you have got them all together, take them out in the sun and check the ends to be sure to did it right.

Then you have to mount the sections into the frame, and canopy it with the Plexiglass. Until they are secure in the frame, you absolutely should be careful when coping with the cell panels themselves.

Then when every-thing is finished and tested, you can determine on where to position the homemade photo voltaic panels to supply the power. It is ideal to place them someplace that gets at the very least 8-10 hours of sunlight, many individuals put them on their roof. If you need to get really fancy you should purchase brackets and electrical motors that tilt the panels towards the sun no matter what part of the day it is.

While this may increasingly still seem complex, it really isn’t. This is simply a relatively basic overview of the procedure. Mentioned above previously, there are numerous resources to do generate this extraordinarily easily. There are free internet sites that may take you step-by-step via the process, but this is usually after you will have all the materials. While Do it your self kits value some money, they make it easy by supplying step-by-step instructions, itemizing of tools and materials you’ll need, as well as where to buy your supplies. You presumably can make homemade photo voltaic panels, and it is easier than you think.

With modern technology, now you can save tremendous electricity. magnets 4 energy review will show you how you can do that. Save energy as well as produce your own home energy using magnets 4 energy. Learn more to use it here: magnets 4 energy. Start your new life today…

Children nowadays can be taught about a wide range of things. We have extra methods to show them about photo voltaic energy. This source goes to be their long run and will depend upon how we handle it in todays world. Energy could possibly be anywhere the sun shines and you are able to feel and see the warmth. energy can heat water, warmth homes, schools, companies, and it will probably create photo voltaic power. Teaching children lately how power works and how we are able to use it wisely will be sure that our enviornment long run and theirs goes to be protected.

First of all, learning about the dangerous affects of our energy usage today is essential for them to comprehend why there ought to be more methods to create power. Simply as a result of the electrical power that we use lately comes from non-renewable resources, because of this, we are setting ourselves up for a large fall. When that supply runs out we’ll then have to depend on some other source to produce us with our energy. Scientist are working lately to make it possible for when we do run out of that source we can be in a great solid position to modify over to the new source with out missing a beat.

The huge concern is that we must not wait till our energy source we use today is not completely gone when we do switch. We should be in a position to switch to a new energy source within the near future and to be able to preserve what we’ve left of the supply we make the most of now. One extra issue with our energy production lately is that it is dangerous to the atmosphere. It pollutes the air and can eventually make it not possible for us to use the solar has a natural solar vitality source. We cannot afford to lose this important natural resource. So that we are able to save our atmosphere we have to teach the children how we can all be part of together to preserve their energy for their future and their childrens future.

Solar energy can generate various power using natural sources and synthetic solar sources which is able to attract the solar power to the source. So that we will make this happen we have to be in a position to discover energy sources that aren’t costly however can provide the vitality that we require. A customary house can profit greatly by switching over to solar energy. It’s easy to do. Also in constructing a brand new home you would have the ability to construct it utilizing solar energy as a way to naturally create electrical power to your home, warmth your water, alongside with other functions that might be controlled by utilizing solar energy. In the long run, we profit by not paying for a supply that’s slowly taking away from our pure resource. Our children will likely be rewarded for our cautious planning.

All ages can benefit from conserving energy however it needs to begin now in order that we all can benefit within the future. Teaching the children the best way to conserve and save power and how we’d like to give you a methodology to preserve the solar energy in the long run with a view to supply heating, water, along with different necessities in large quantities moderately than by individual houses, which is how we do it these days. One day we might not must run power lines via fields, streets and yards because we will all have solar power boxes within the back yard instead.

With modern technology, now you can save tremendous electricity. magnets 4 energy review will show you how you can do that. Save energy as well as produce your own home energy using magnets 4 energy. Learn more to use it here: magnets 4 energy. Start your new life today…

It looks like green technology is going to be with us for awhile as the world looks for alternative fuel sources that are cleaner and more efficient. In time of recession it may be an excellent time to go looking for jobs which have growth potential and you may obtain jobs in renewable energy and recycling can be just the ticket. Here are a few of jobs to search for in green technology that might provide a stable income supply as well as phenomenal growth during the future.

Environmental Engineers
Engineers solve problems. Environmental engineers can be highly desired for problem solving as our world pushes for better methods plus systems for waste and sewage disposal. Aside from the monumental amount of work coming available in the space of disposal projects providing different challenges like keeping balance in the surroundings when areas with resources are consumed plus how to exchange the environmental factors that those resources gave us.

Environmental Scientists and Specialists
Brilliant scientists together with a mind for green are required to research better methods of amendment that can impact the surroundings positively. Look for Green Science to become a hot career as demand rises quickly to fulfill the needs. This can be a high paying job giving growth, stability, plus a whole lot of fun for scientists plus research technicians.

Construction Managers
The new breed of green technology construction manager is tasked with the responsibility of constructing a much more energy efficient building. Not only being more energy economical but finding methods to enter into new construction using recyclable materials. By taking things like tires out of the landfills and making buildings a reversal of pollution may occur whereas at the same time using fewer of our limited natural resources.

By taking core skills plus adding a specialization into Green Technology you can increase your worth on the job marketplace and ensure a place for growth. The only real job security in the marketplace is by keeping ahead of your peers through personal skills development. Don’t get caught without knowledge in green energy technology. There is a huge array of resources to start learning today.

Industrial Engineers
A major responsibility of the economic engineer is to make things run more efficiently which is a enormous part of what green technology is all about. A really good industrial engineer can focus on making a better solution and overall method specifically with green in mind. They will produce things that use less resources and waste less possibly bringing Green Energy and recyclable technology into the picture.

Looking for additional Green Tips for your home or future? Green Technology is here to stay so start learning today.

Before buying clothes, jewelry, electronics or home furnishing, the sustainable shopper stops to consider these questions.
By Dan Shapley, The Daily Green

1. Do you really need it?

Facing economic stress unprecedented in our lifetimes, we might not need this reminder the way we did a couple years ago, but it’s always a question worth asking. Separating your “wants” from your “needs” is a good first step toward reducing the environmental impact of your purchases (not to mention the financial impact on your wallet). The environmental impact from buying comes primarily in the use of natural resources to manufacture the products in the first place. If you don’t buy it, you eliminate its impact.

Electronics

In the case of electronics, this can be a tricky question because outdated electronics are often just that — outdated. But as personal electronics proliferate, a big part of the appeal of the latest gadget is as much fashion as it is function. Discarded electronics, from the desktop computer to the lowly cell phone, contain toxic compounds, including, in many cases. plastics, flame retardants and heavy metals. These can leach from landfills or go into trash incinerators, and then up in smoke — and into the air we breathe. Not only that, but the electricity required to power all those electronic devices is derived, largely, from burning coal, which produces copious greenhouse gas emissions, as well as toxic mercury that contaminates fish, ecologically damaging acid rain and unhealthy smog. Bottom line: if you don’t need it, don’t buy it.

Home

In the case of home goods, furniture and cabinets can be made out of wood from virgin forests, or processed woods made with toxic glues. Deforestation not only wipes out the habitat for species—many of which, particularly in the case of tropical rain forests, have yet to be studied by scientists hunting for the next medical or nutritional breakthrough—but deforestation also is a leading contributor to greenhouse gas emissions (Indonesia and Brazil rank behind China and the U.S. in carbon emissions because of rapid deforestation, rather than heavy industry). Avoiding the purchase of wood-based home goods is one good decision you can make to help preserve the world’s forests—and its climate.

Jewelry

In the case of jewelry, the mining of precious metals and gems has one of the biggest environmental and human impacts. Gold mines represent the largest U.S. sources of mercury pollution, a potent toxic metal that attacks the brain. Diamond mining is notoriously tied with slave labor and the funding of systemic violence in Africa. Beyond that, mining anything involves not only tearing up a landscape, but also processing that typically uses toxic chemicals and metals. Avoiding unnecessary purchases avoids those impacts.

Fashion

Clothing, meanwhile, relies largely on cotton crops, which account for 10% of the world’s pesticide usage. In the United States cotton is commonly grown with more than 10 pounds of pesticide per acre annually (that’s more than three-times as much chemical as is used to grow conventional corn). Conventionally grown cotton also uses a whopping 142 pounds per acre of chemical fertilizer (much of it derived from natural gas, a fossil fuel).

2. Can you get it used?

Many products have a useful life that extends far beyond the needs of one owner. Many products can ably serve more than one master at a time. Ask your friends and neighbors if they can share. Before buying new, check local garage sales, thrift and antique stores, refurbished electronics stores, classifieds, auctions, clothing swaps—and their global on-line equivalents, freecycling, Craigslist and, of course, eBay—to look for items that can be given a second (or third, or fourth) life. Bottom line: buying used is the most environmentally sound way to buy, because it not only requires the use of no new natural resources in manufacturing, but also because it keeps a useful product out of a landfill or trash incinerator.

3. How was it made?

Particularly if you’re buying new, consider how a product was made: what materials were used, who made it and how were those workers treated? It’s often not the end-user or the end user’s community that suffers from the manufacture of products that aren’t made according to high environmental standards, but workers and local communities and ecosystems near the factories. Some suspect chemicals are also found in many common consumer products, so the question of progeny isn’t important just for the health of workers, but for consumers as well. eBay has made this step easier by bringing together ethical buyers and sellers via World of Good, which uses independent certifiers to ensure that only products that adhere to high environmental and human rights standards are offered for sale.

Electronics

In the case of electronics, a single cell phone might be made of 1,000 components, each manufactured from a set of natural resources and manmade chemicals—oils and solvents, plastics, heavy metals, flame retardants and more. These chemicals and metals may do no harm to you during the use of a gadget, but their manufacture and disposal can pollute the environment, or threaten the health of workers and others. Greenpeace assesses companies based on a variety of metrics, including the toxicity of the materials used to manufacture devices, and publishes its ratings in an annual Greener Gadgets guide.

Home

In the case of home goods, consider carefully the materials used to manufacture your decorations and furniture. The gold-standard for sustainable forestry is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification. Look for the label whenever shopping for wood-based products. But you can do one better by choosing products made from recycled materials. Buying artwork and decorations? Consider the work of local artisans, or the independent artists selling through the likes of etsy.com or World of Good, so you can directly question the creator about his or her materials and processes.

Fashion

In the case of clothing, look for sustainable fibers like wool, bamboo and hemp, USDA organic-certified cottons fibers, and fabrics made from recycled materials, such as fleece made from recycled plastics. How clothing is made, and who makes it, is another concern. Green America has a useful list of companies that allow unions so you can avoid clothing made in sweatshops. Also check out these lists of companies that meet the standards of the Fair Labor Association, Social Accountability International.

Jewelry

For jewelry, 80% of newly mined gold ends up in retail jewelry, so the No Dirty Gold lists retailers that support better human rights and environmental protections at the world’s gold mines. Diamonds, as Leonardo DiCaprio brilliantly reminded us Blood Diamond, have often reached the consumer market only after a violent march across Africa, and the money spent on diamonds has ultimately fueled wider bloodshed. Unfortunately, the problem didn’t end with the movie, so Amnesty International and Global Witness have published a four questions consumers can ask jewelers to get some assurance that the diamonds being bought are “conflict-free.”

As with home goods, etsy.com and World of Good can be excellent sources for independent and ethical clothing and jewelry.

4. How is it packaged and shipped?

The making of a product is only part of what contributes to its environmental footprint. The materials used to package it, and the fuel used to transport it, are two other biggies. Studies have generally endorsed the proposition that online purchasing has a smaller environmental footprint than buying from a brick-and-mortar store, in large part because of the reduced energy costs associated with lighting and heating. Look for goods packaged minimally, and packaged with post-consumer recycled materials. If packing something of your own for sale on eBay or elsewhere, get creative: Crumple the paper that you’d otherwise have recycled to protect fragile items. Set aside a few boxes as you come across them, so you can re-use them when you need them. A minimum of thought can save significant resources over the long term. If you are buying from a brick-and-mortar store, ask questions of the store manage, or consult the company’s Web site for information about how they manage the efficiency and wastefulness of their supply chain.

5. How much energy or resources will it require to maintain?

The environmental impact of newly purchased items doesn’t necessarily end when you get them home. Clothing needs to be washed, and jewelry shined. Buying a new dress that you can run through the washer has less impact than one that must be dry cleaned, for instance, since many dry cleaners clean with toxic sovlents. Furniture may need to be washed, oiled waxed or reupholstered. Electronics—most obviously —need to be plugged in or charged. Look for Energy Star labels on home stereo and entertainment equipment, cordless phones as well as a range of other home electronics and most home appliances. The label will help you choose the most energy-efficient model, which decreases its ongoing cost, its electricity demand—and environmental impact.

6. Is it reusable, repairable, or at least recyclable?

What happens to that product once you’re done with it? Is it durable enough to be of use to your grandchildren? Can it have a second (or third or fourth) life once you’re done with it? If it breaks, do you have the means to repair it?

Not only does it save resources to buy durable, long-lasting goods, but it can also provide a good return on investment. When you’ve tired of a new product, you can sell it to recoup some of your costs—or even turn a profit. But often that’s only possible if you’ve purchased a good quality item with lasting value.

In the case of electronics, not all products are equally recyclable. Increasingly, pressure from non-profit groups and consumers has prompted electronics manufacturers to accept all used electronics for recycling. But for many products, it’s still the exception, rather than the rule. The Electronics Take Back Coalition is leading the effort to encourage companies to run free, comprehensive and easy-to-use programs that allow consumers to recycle used electronics and be confident that the used electronics will actually be recycled and not dumped, incinerated or exported to developing countries, where scavengers have been exposed to debilitating levels of pollution.

7. Does it help me go green in other ways?

The crown jewel of ethical buying comes if the purchase you make helps you maintain a green lifestyle. That may mean supporting local artisans with a purchase of a painting or piece of jewelry. It may mean buying a piece of clothing that lets you wear your passions on your sleeve—and educate friends and passers-by in the process. Or it may be as simple as buying a good raincoat…so you can walk instead of taking the cab on rainy days. It may mean that your next gadget isn’t a new video-mp3 player, but a home energy monitor, so you can track down and eliminate unnecessary electricity use.

Finally, maybe the purchase itself contributes to a cause, because the seller donates a portion of proceeds. Check with the organizations you support to see which companies they work with, and get in the habit of reading the environmental and sustainability sections of companies’ Web sites. One great way to connect with sellers that share your passions—and who will back up that passion with a donation based on your purchase—is via eBay Giving Works.

Now that it is so popular you may have found that there are tons of examples of how going green can save you money. Despite Kermit the Frog’s claims – it IS very easy being green. Not only is it easy but it can save you money at the same time. Our planet is facing a period of warming and our actions are believed to be a primary cause. That being the case, it just makes sense to seek out examples of how going green saves you money and act on them.

That cell phone charger that stays plugged in, the DVD player that waits for the occasional playing, and the TV that sits on standby all night, these are prime examples of how going green saves you money – if you unplug them, that is. For even if the items are not working, they are consuming energy!

You can also easily go green just by switching from bottled water to filtered tap water. On average a typical family spends some $1,400 a year on bottled water. That is not even the worst part. By not recycling over 95% of the plastic bottles end up in the garbage and land fills world wide! It is worthwhile investing less than $100 and you could get a high quality staged water filter to make your tap water perfect. Then just go and purchase stainless steel water bottles, as they over come the need for plastic and last a long time.

More examples of how going green can save you money are everywhere. Do you drive as fast as the law allows? You shouldn’t. You may have heard that your engines perform most efficiently at around 55 miles an hour. By simply using a light touch on your gas pedel, and combining that with properly inflated tires, you will find it easy to save money and help the planet too.

Have you considered using a bicycle to travel around town? To get some fresh air simply walk for those short trips. By reducing your carbon footprint you won’t be pouring hydrocarbons into the atmosphere which is what is warming the planet. You will also be saving money. A side benefit is that you will get some good exercise at the same time. Walking and cycling when you can are excellent examples of how going green saves you money.

Out of the approximately 65 million newspapers that are printed every day just in the US. Unfortunately 70% will not be recycled. Can you imagine this waste of trees? How can you can do your bit to help? In this day of Internet access you can now read whatever news you want to read simply by going online. Even local papers have an online presence these days, so save some money and read from the web pages. Just don’t spill your coffee on the keyboard.

Do you want more example of how going green saves you money? They are all around you. Just look and you certainly will find them.
Article Source: Just Want Info Articles Directory
About the Author: We are desire to help anyone that is looking to Going Green at Home. If you are looking for ideas to go green stop by our site and look around at our wealth of facts, videos and products.