One simple thing you can do today to help the environment:

Hello and welcome to my section of this website! I’m Ashe, and I’ve put together a list of some easy easy easy ways to live greener while saving a little money and maybe even simplifying your life.

Don’t feel that you have to do all these things today. We’re not talking about a three day project, after all. Most of us need a complete overhaul of our lives when we first decide to take responsibility for living smarter and more responsibly. I know I did!

Why not just pick one thing from the following list that you don’t already do and try it for a week? That’s not so hard, right? It may not seem like much of a change (told you it was easy easy easy) but you have to remember – every single little thing you do to help the environment does matter. Pennies add up to dollars, and small steps toward recycling / conserving energy / living greener add up to a healthier world.

Good luck! I know you can do it!

1. Use cold water instead of hot whenever possible.
2. Use low-flow shower heads and toilets.
3. Do regular maintenance of appliances -- clean the filter in your clothes dryer before every load, clean the coils beneath and behind your fridge every six months.
4. Clothes dryers are among the most ravenous energy consumers in your house. Why not hang clothes outside and let them dry naturally? Costs less, saves energy, and your clothes will smell like sunshine!
5. Replace incandescent light bulbs with energy saving compact fluorescent light bulbs.
6. Use non-toxic cleansers.
7. Learn about and use Green Certificates.
8. When shopping, ask for paper bags instead of plastic. Better still, take your own reusable bags.
9. Avoid purchasing products that are overpackaged. Why pay for all that extra plastic when you're only going to throw it in the trash?
10. Ditto garbage bags. Don't waste your hard-earned money buying items that are intended for nothing other than tossing into the landfill. Why not use those plastic shopping bags you normally throw in the trash? Ashe-style: Since I carry my own canvas bags for shopping, I don't have the plastic store bags to deal with anymore. First I reuse, recycle, or add to the compost pile, of course. But the real trash goes into an empty potato chip or tortilla chip or whatever bag. Honest!
11. Ditto paper coffee filters. Use permanent filters.
12. Ditto paper towels and napkins. Cloth towels and napkins not only cost you less and reduce trash, they also impress your guests.
13. Ditto plastic sandwich bags. Pack lunches and leftovers in reusable containers.
14. Eat organic and/or locally grown food whenever possible. Interested in organic gardening? See Brenda's Grow your own tips.
15. Compost your kitchen waste instead of throwing it in the trash.
16. Get involved with a local tree planting program. If there's no such program in your area, be a leader and start one.
17. Make sure televisions, computers, and other electrical items are turned OFF when not in use rather than just on Standby.
18. Contact your local power company to learn about getting an energy audit of your home. Simply installing the proper insulation can save you hundreds of dollars over the course of a year.
19. Insulate your water heater and pipes.
20. Turn off your water heater when you go away on vacation.
21. ELIMINATE STYROFOAM FROM YOUR LIFE!
22. In winter, turn the thermostat down and put on an extra layer of clothing. In summer, turn the thermostat up and wear as little as possible.
23. Keep your freezer packed full. You can always fill it up with jugs of water, giving you extra ice for parties.
24. If possible, walk or ride a bicycle instead of driving your car.
25. But if you're going to drive, do it efficiently. Keep a steady speed of 50-60 mph, and accelerate smoothly -- no jackrabbit starts.
26. And if you're just sitting in the car, don't idle. Turn off the engine if you aren't moving for more than one minute.
27. Have your car maintenanced regularly. Your car will run more efficiently, save you money on fuel, and emit less CO2.
28. Visit Drive Neutral to find out what kind of emissions you're spewing.
29. Recycle, recycle, recycle! Paper, tin cans, aluminum, plastic, clothes, and glass are among the items that can be recycled.
30. And don’t throw away batteries, antifreeze, paint, or motor oil. A little research will tell you which businesses in your area are equipped to recycle these items.