photo by janey henning
Being frugal is eco-friendly. Some people don’t realize how frugality and green living go hand in hand. Both include being less wasteful, recycling and reusing items whenever possible. While you might want to invest in ways to save more money, such as buying a hybrid car, installing solar panels and shades, or updating all of your appliances to energy savers, that’s not always affordable. But you can still focus on small, practical ways to be frugal while at the same time being green. The important thing is to make the decision to be mindful over using only what you need and not more than what is necessary.
Here are a few ways to be green to save green.
HOME GARDEN: You can grow your own food and cooking herbs, gather and reuse rainwater in rain barrels, save seeds, reuse containers as planters, compost, can and preserve, plant ground cover instead of lawn that needs to be mowed, and plant trees for shade and to guard your home from wind. Consider manual or electric tools over gas-powered ones.
HOMEKEEPING: Use natural, homemade cleaners, microfiber cloths or reusable cloth materials for surface cleaning and cloth napkins instead of paper; line-dry clothing; and turn off heat drying on your dishwasher.
RECYCLE AND REUSE: Before throwing something away, think about whether you can reuse or recycle it. Materials such as newspaper, plastic containers, food scraps, wood, glass jars, paper, cardboard, etc., are all materials that can be reused around the house.
BYOB: Bringing your own reusable bottle or bag is frugal and green. Don’t continue to use disposable materials when there are reusable substitutes. If you’re buying only one or two items, refuse a plastic grocery bag when it’s offered.
SHOPPING: Buy products that have less packaging. Buy produce when it’s in season. Buy from farmers’ markets and secondhand sellers more often. Consider buying from companies that support or donate a percentage to a cause. For example, if you enjoy online auctions, try bidding at www.biddingforgood.com. Buying there will support various schools and nonprofits.
UTILITY CONSERVATION: A hot-water insulator keeps your body warm instead of rooms warm. Use programmable thermostats, CFL bulbs and rechargeable batteries. Unplug electrical devices when they’re not in use. Put them on power strips to make them easier to shut off. Check for window and door drafts, and fix them. Install timers for lights. Use a low-flow showerhead.
TRAVEL: Combine errands, drive a fuel-efficient car or become a one-car family; carpool, bike and walk whenever possible. Keep vehicles well maintained. Don’t let your car idle if you can turn it off. Keep proper tire pressure.
FOOD: Cook from scratch more often. Make your own baby food if you have a baby. Use reusable coffee filters and lessen your meat consumption. Use reusable containers that can go from stovetop or oven to fridge instead of plastic wraps and baggies.
GIFT-GIVING: Give homemade gifts. Giftwrap can be a usable part of the gift. For example, instead of using a paper gift bag, use a reusable cloth bag, and you can use Sunday comics instead of tissue paper to tuck into your cloth bag, too.
READING: Swap reading materials with friends. Visit and support your local library or frequent used bookstores.
译文:
成为一名环保人士来保护环境
图片来源：janey henning
节俭就是环保。有些人没有认识到节俭和绿色生物之间的密切关系。只要可能，两者都包含减少浪费、再循环和再利用物品。而你可能想通过各种方法来省下更多的钱，就像买一辆混合动力汽车，安装太阳能电池板和遮蔽器，或者把所有的电器升级为节能型，不过你可能负担不起。但是你仍然可以关注一些小巧实用的方法来实现节省和环保。重要的事是留心你需要使用的和必要的东西，进而作出决定。这里有一些成为环保人士和保护环境的方法。
家庭花园：你可以自己种植食物和制作调味料，在雨桶中收集并再利用雨水，节约种子，再次利用像培植器皿，装混合肥料、罐头、蜜饯等东西的容器，种植地被植物进而取代需要经常割草的草坪，种植一些树木用来乘凉，还能为你的房子挡住大风。
持家之道：使用天然的、自制的清洁用品、微光纤布料或者可再使用布料清洗表面，并使用布料餐巾代替纸巾；穿着可晾晒衣服；关闭洗碗机烘干功能。
再循环和再利用：在扔掉东西之前，想一想它是否能再利用或者再循环。像报纸、塑料盒子、食品碎屑、木头、玻璃瓶、纸张、纸板等都能在家里再次使用。
自带物品：带上可反复使用的瓶子或者袋子是一种节俭和环保的习惯。如果有可再利用的替代品，不要继续使用一次性材料的东西。如果你仅买一样或者两样东西，拒绝使用向你提供的塑料购物袋。
购物：买一些包装简单的产品。经常从农村市场和二手商贩那里购买。也可以考虑从支持或者捐赠一定百分比购物金额给慈善事业的公司购买需要的东西。例如，如果你喜欢网上拍卖，可以尝试一下在http://www.biddingforgood.com/上面出价。在那里购买将援助各种学校和非赢利组织。
保存效用：热水绝缘装置能暖和你的身体而不是加热房间。使用可编程的温度调节器、CFL灯泡和充电电池。当你不使用电器的时候，请拔掉插头。把电器插头插在电源板上，方便切断电源。检查门窗是否有缝隙，如有则要把它们修好。安装电灯定时器。使用小流量莲蓬头。
旅行：把各种差事集中起来办理，开节能汽车或者在家里开一辆车；尽可能搭车、骑车和步行。很好的维护车辆。当汽车在等候的时候，请熄火。保持合适的气胎压力。
食物：经常使用原始食材。如果你有孩子，那么自己制作婴儿食物。使用可重复利用的咖啡过滤纸，少吃肉，使用可以在炉子、烤箱和冰箱里反复利用的容器代替塑料包装和袋子。
赠送礼物：赠送自制礼物。礼物包装是礼物中可利用的一部分。例如，使用能再次利用的布袋代替纸质礼品袋，你也可在布袋子里塞入星期天连环画来代替纸巾。
阅读： 和朋友交换读物。经常去当地图书馆或者书店看书。