Whether you are a die-hard granola or you just want a piece of the cost savings that stems from efficiency, chances are you can go a little greener. Usually this means tapping the common sense area of your brain, but sometimes better choices are a bit more esoteric.
Tried & true simple tricks:
Don’t have a dual flush toilet and don’t think yellow is all that mellow? Put a brick in the toilet tank to use less water per flush.
Hate toxic cleaners? Diluted white vinegar kills bacteria and the pickle-y smell dissipates quickly. For extra cleaning power on appropriate surfaces (toilet, tub, etc.) take a trip back in time to make an exciting (and cleansing) volcano by dumping some baking soda on your grimy surface before spraying your white vinegar. See, school can teach us something!
Captain Obvious chimes in with some other brilliant thoughts: switch to CFL bulbs, use real napkins & hand towels vs. land-filling bleached disposables, use your legs to get around more, stop already with the plastic everything, and compost your food waste (better yet, don’t waste - make stock with your leftovers).
Advanced ideas:
Sick of GMO produce? Want local? Aquaponics are a great way to have your cake (um, veggie cake) and eat it too. This closed-loop food system can even be set up in small spaces so as long as your Tiny Home has power you can farm inside!
Schlep your own non-plastic containers to the market to get your bulk items. This is on the advanced list for a reason. Keeping your grocery bags strapped to your bike is easy (where were you on this one, cappie?) but managing to use your legs only while carting around mason jars to fill with lentils is a quite a feat. If you manage to do this, then please share your tips as this is seriously such a pain; you are a hero. Of course, reusing simple paper sacks instead of jars works too.
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