Eat Locally

Buying foods that are produced locally cuts down on the emissions that are generated when food has to be shipped from place to place. Look for locally grown items at farmer’s markets and food cooperatives. 

Waterless Car Care

Save the nearly 100 gallons of water you would use washing your car in the driveway by simply spraying on a product like Eco Touch (www.ecotouch.net). Once you spray on this car wash formula, you wipe it off and your car will be clean.

Pick Up

Because of the mild weather in our part of the country, many Texomans walk outside regularly. Take along a trash bag and pick up anything that might be littering your neighborhood or park. And the bending and stretching make for good exercise too!

Slow Down

Save fuel by slowing down. Simply dropping your speed from 65 mph to 55 mph may increase your fuel efficiency by 15 percent. (www.eartheasy.com/live_fuel_efficient_driving.htm).

Be Clothes Wise

Look for clothing items made from organic cotton, hemp or tencel, which are all natural fabrics. You can also find items made from Eco-fi, formerly known as EcoSpun, which is made from recycled plastic soda bottles!

A Bright Idea

Households can switch to CFL or LED light bulbs, which can last up to 10 times as long as a standard incandescent bulb and use one-third of the electricity. You can also install a motion-sensing light switch, which will turn off the lights when no one is in the room.

Cut the Packaging 

There are two ways to reduce the amount of packaging you throw out. Buy in bulk instead of smaller packages. You can always parcel small amounts of bulk items into reusable containers. When buying liquids, like laundry detergents, purchase concentrates so that you will get more product per package.  

Add these seven simple steps to the way you are currently living, and in no time you will find that you are already making a difference.