It's easy being green

By Published On: March 26th, 2013

1. Diaper responsibly. Even if you can’t commit to cloth […]

babygreendiaper1. Diaper responsibly.
Even if you can’t commit to cloth full time, covering baby’s bottom with reusable diapers at home or on weekends can make an impact (and cut costs).
2. Dish it out.
Turn off the heated dry setting on your dishwasher to save energy. Once the wash cycle has finished, open the door, pull out the trays, and let the sparkling dinnerware air dry while baby naps.
3. Throw in the towel.
Messes abound with a baby around, but you can minimize waste by using old dish towels (and even T-shirts) instead of paper towels to absorb spills and wipe counters.
4. Fill up your freezer.
A fully stocked icebox runs more efficiently than a half-full one.
5. Pay online.
Opt out of paper correspondence by signing up for electronic bill pay. You’ll eliminate excess mail to file, save on checks and postage, and—if you elect to use auto-pay—never have to worry about a late fee again.
6. Refuse receipts.
Many establishments ask if you want a receipt prior to printing—if you don’t anticipate needing it, say, “No thank you.” And if they offer to email it to you, take them up on it.
7. Set your speed.
Turn-ing on cruise control can improve your gas mileage —and possibly prevent a speeding ticket (assuming you set it responsibly).
8. Bag it.
Store reusable totes in your vehicle so you have them on hand whenever you hit the grocery. If you forget to BYOB and end up with a stash of paper or plastic, try turning them into wrapping paper or using them to line bathroom trash bins.
9. Filter yourself.
Keep your dryer running efficiently by cleaning the lint filter between every cycle. Of course, you can do one better by drying clothes on the line in your backyard.
10. Repurpose baby goods.
Before you toss no-longer-needed infant items to the curb, consider finding new life for them. Burp cloths make excellent dust rags, baby food jars come in handy for a slew of projects (click here for ideas!), and outgrown clothes can be turned into keepsake quilts.