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How can we all help?
How can we collectively make a difference?
Here at Lamin-Art we are trying to be environmentally responsible in everything we do and this is just what this section is about: talking about small or big actions that we are putting in place at our offices, projects that we get involved in in our communities or with our customers, and green changes that can improve our daily lives. As a corporation, we have switched our automotive fleet to hybrid Toyota Prius and created an internal Green Team, but as individuals, we can contribute small actions that, when added, amount to a lot. Be sure to check back often for regular updates on what we’ve done or to share the steps you or your company has taken to reduce your own carbon footprint.
Listed here are five tips to live green every day, inspired by David Bach’s Go Green, Live Rich. These are small adjustments that anyone can make and, as an added bonus, can help you save some money.
Turn off the faucet
Possibly the easiest way to save water is to turn off the tap while brushing your teeth; turning it on only to rinse. Toilets are a tremendous waste of water as well: older toilets can use up to six gallons (26 litres) of water every time they flush, but newer dual-flush toilets only use 1 to 2 gallons per flush (4-7 litres). Low-flow shower heads can also reduce consumption as well as your water bill.
Bring your lunch to work
The average American produces almost five pounds of trash per day and 1/3 of our total garbage is packaging. By bringing a lunch to work in reusable containers you can decrease the 63,000 garbage trucks full of trash that America produces each day and save upwards of $2000 a year.
Bring a reusable bag to the grocery store
San Francisco was the first U.S. city to outlaw common plastic grocery bags, opting instead to switch to biodegradable plastic and recyclable paper bags. An even better way to conserve resources at the supermarket is to bring your own re-usable bag made from bamboo or other green materials. These durable materials also ensure that the canned goods don’t break through the bottom of the bag.
Unplug
The phenomenon known as “phantom load” means that even though your electric appliances are turned off they are using up energy. Unplugging larger appliances before you go to sleep and when you go on vacation can decrease your home’s CO2 emissions by 1428 pounds (649 kilograms) per year and save you about one hundred dollars in energy costs.
Skip a ride
According to Go Green, Live Rich, if every American cut out driving to work one day per week we would reduce CO2 by well over one ton per person! The next step would be to cut out car trips of two miles or less (5 km), which make up a significant portion of the trips we make. By biking or walking, each American could shed a few pounds and save a couple hundred dollars per year.
Got ideas of your own? What changes have you made in your daily life that made a difference for you? Great websites you would like to recommend? We would love to hear about them and potentially add them to this section. Just e-mail us at eco-enable@laminart.com