7 Tips for Green Living

How to Be More Environmentally Friendly as the Seasons Change

When the air begins to get chilly and it’s time to trade in the summer barbecues for fall bonfires, sending the kids back to school shouldn’t be the only thing on your mind. The changing of seasons is the perfect time to start becoming more environmentally friendly; you can contribute to saving the earth while saving money for yourself in the process! Check out these tips for green living that will benefit your family and the environment as a whole.

1. Recycle & compost – Though this may seem like an obvious tip, a lot of people tend to forget about that little blue recycling bin when they’re in a hurry! Taking the extra time and effort to recycle makes a huge impact on the environment and the economy in the long run. Composting is also a great way to reduce the amount of trash in landfills while creating rich nutrients for your soil and decreasing the need for fertilizers in your yard.
2. Swap your shower head – Using a high efficiency shower head instead of a standard one can save up to 3,000 gallons of water and $50 in energy costs per person per year. They still supply a powerful stream of water at less than 2.5 gallons per minute, so your shower will be just as enjoyable as it was before.
3. Reuse throwaway water – Speaking of showers, you know how you usually run the water for a couple minutes to let it heat up? If you place a bucket in the shower or tub during this time, you can collect that cold water instead of letting it run down the drain. Then, you can use it to water your plants or do other household chores!
4. Fill your washers – Let’s admit it—when we wash clothes and dishes, we typically use a lot more soap than recommended on the bottle. As a result, our clothes and dishes require more water than necessary to rinse off. By waiting until the washing machine and dishwasher are full before starting a load (and by using the proper amount of soap), you can save countless gallons of water.
5. Replace lightbulbs – Though high efficiency lightbulbs (such as compact fluorescents or LEDs) may be pricier up front, they last much longer and save on energy costs over time. You can even install motion sensor lights outdoors to further cut back on energy usage. Tip for the holidays: decorative LED lights can make your house merry and bright while saving energy!
6. Insulate – By insulating your attic and installing energy efficient windows, you can save a significant amount of energy—and the costs associated with it—on your heating and cooling bills.
7. Invest in green utilities – When you choose to pay a little extra to get your power from a renewable energy source, you do a lot of good for the earth! The more support green living gets from homeowners, the more our communities will see the importance of renewable energy.

Why Providence Center in Arnold, MD, Cares

Here at Providence Center, our mission is to help shape the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. By gaining useful vocational skills in the programs we offer, the adults we support are able to work towards a more stable, independent future through community employment. We believe that making the world a better place starts with nourishing the people in it. Whether it’s through environmental restoration projects in our horticulture program or by crafting handmade holiday gifts for your family to enjoy, the people at Providence Center are making a difference in their own lives by making a difference in our community.

To learn how to become a part of Providence Center’s mission by giving your time or resources, click here.

For more information about our programs and services, feel free to call (410) 766-2212 or contact us online today!