Going Green Family Style

Going green is something we all should do, not just us as individuals, but as whole families. We’re not talking Saint Patrick’s Day or yard beautification. We’re talking about energy conservation, renewable energy, recycling and sustainable living.

Going green as a family is not only good for the environment, but it can also end up being excellent for your long-term bottom-line. Want to know more? Here are some great tips to get you started.

 

1. Teaching Green– They’re the future

Our kids are our future. We can do all we want to be green, but if they don’t see the merit, future generations may be in for trouble regardless. Aside from conversation and practice, there are plenty of great books, publications, cartoons, and other great media that can help teach the importance of the subject.

2. Recycle – It’s so easy

Recycling is one of the most powerful ways a family can have an impact. By sending waste back to the general supply for reuse, natural resources and fossil fuels see much less use. Take a look at the Sussex Green Living Recycling Zone to learn more.

3. Green Fun – It’s never-ending

Before today’s onslaught of virtual realms and complete electronic reliance, there were board games, card games, charades, and so many other now-forgotten forms of entertainment. These types of entertainment are great at not eating up electricity and other resources. They also have a great tendency to bring together the family and help harbor those lasting bonds and memories.

4. Lights Out – All aboard

Turning off lights and electronics that don’t need to be on saves your money and saves the environment. This is absolutely a habit the whole family should get onboard with. A few days of group effort are usually all that’s needed to create the habit.

5.  LEDs – A great investment

Switching to LED light bulbs is a very smart choice. The extremely low levels of energy consumption and high levels of light output on these bulbs can be quite impressive and well worth the initial purchase costs. Another great point – these bulbs can last for years without need for replacement.

6. Programmable Thermostat – Automated energy-saver

Even if you were to stand over your thermostat every moment of every day, you still couldn’t quite match the added energy efficiency of a programmable thermostat. These are often quite easily installed and a relatively low-cost home improvement. As the market on these has grown exponentially, you can also afford to really shop around for the best thermostat to meet your individual needs and preferences.

 

7. Craft Ingenuity – Hidden building materials

Did you know that paper towel rolls are the primary building block to over 100 different craft projects for kids? Toilet paper rolls, ice lolly sticks, and even those last pieces of your bar of soap are just a few awesome craft supplies you might not have known to be. Recycling those typically tossed items and spending quality time doing crafts as a family is an unbeatable, win-win situation.  Here are a few of Sussex Green Living eco art recycled models. 

These are just a few of the most basic green ideas to get you and the family on the way to a greener life. Take a look around your home. What else can you think of?

Author Bio:

This post is contributed by Linda Bailey from www.housekeeping.org.  She is a Texas-based writer who loves to write on the topics of housekeeping, green living, home décor, and more. She welcomes your comments which can be sent to .

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