Helping the environment is not only about enrolling in green peace. you can help by unplugging your charger when you aren't charging your phone, you can recycle, spend less resources in general.
i'd like to discuss with you the impact our tiny gestures might have. can we be useful or is it nonsense, while corporations are alive and thriving?
I work for a major corporation that has offices and stores all over the world. Sustainability has been a major drive in our corporation this past year. Simple changes have been made such as turning off the backlight in the soft drink machines and using energy efficient light bulbs. Stores are being remodeled with skylights to help with energy costs. Everything is being recycled from aluminum cans to plastic hangers. Cardboard and plastic bags are baled and sent to recycle. If more and more companies would get on board, it would make a world of difference.
I dont leave anything plugged in unless its in use, this goes for computers as well if they have no energy mode. I do the same with my window a/c units and you would not believe the price difference in my bill.
My hubby picked up a couple of those energy saving light bulbs to use in our hallways. I love the light they put out and I think their swirly shape is really nice too. I'm considering putting these in every room in our home and wondered if this would make a noticeable difference in our electric bill? Does anyone hear use these primarily throughout your home?
I agree that the small things add up, and they take so little effort that it should just become habit. Sure, you aren't offsetting the big corporations, but you are doing your part, and that is important too.
We have started to go greener in our home with some small stuff (ie: shutting off lights when we leave the room, not running the water while brushing our teeth, etc.). My plans are to start converting to energy-saving bulbs soon as well.
The light bulbs can do wonders. When I moved into my apartment it had original cfls (like from back when they were first sold) and even replacing those with new ones helped (the old ones didn't start properly anymore and were recycled properly). When the new downstairs neighbor moved in he decided the cfls weren't bright enough. I would say it added $5-10 a month to his bill although he uses alot of lights when he's home.
Thanks for the feedback guys. I think I am definitely going to go with the energy saving light bulbs. It seems like in recent years our electric bill has been running almost as much throughout the summer as it does in the winter. I want to try to cut out any extra costs I can if at all possible.
The cost is higher to begin with and yes the light is different. It's a more blue light than we are used to from artificial lighting. You get used to it pretty quickly though, and I am sure that more colour options will be available in time.