Top 10 Un-Green Things You Do

10. Wash one shirt

What you do: It’s the night before a big event or you may need to look extra nice for work and you think “I know the perfect shirt” and it’s dirty, but you don’t want to wash a full load.

Instead: Try washing the shirt by hand. You’ll use less water and energy.

9. Leave the computer on

What you do: Walk away from the buzzing computer even when you know you’re leaving and won’t be back for hours.

Instead: Don’t leave on your Instant Messenger saying you’re not going to be home, Just turn the computer off if you know you’re not going to be using it. It will save you money and energy. And if your friends are really interested in talking to you, that’s what we have cell phones for.

8. Throw out coffee grounds

What you do: Brew a pot of coffee for every hour you’re studying.

Instead: Before you toss out the coffee grounds and brew another pot, toss the grounds in your backyard. Composting can save room in landfills and create organic soil. Look out for fruit scraps, vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, tea bags, leaves and plant trimmings, shredded paper and egg and nut shells. All of these items can be mixed in a compost bin. In 3 to 6 months, you’ll have fresh and healthy soil that you made yourself.

7. Garden

What you do: You might have roses, palm trees or exotic plants in your front yard that requires frequent watering.

Instead: Try growing or transplanting native Californian plants. These plants are used to the California climate and don’t require a lot of watering. The Family of Southern California of Water agencies believes “A heritage garden is filled with native and California Friendly plants perfectly suited to our mild and warm, dry summers. These plants thrive because they live here too.” Plants to include in your garden include Deer Grass, Douglas Iris, Emerald Carpet Manzanita, Seaside Daisy and Concha California Lilac.

For more information visit, www.bewaterwise.com

6. Shower

What you do: Practically overflow the bathtub or take hour long showers.

Instead: Take shorter showers. Try to spend only 5 to 10 minutes tops in the shower. It will lower your water bill and the time it takes you to get ready. A bath tub can hold about 50 gallons of water. A shower can use a minimum of five to 10 gallons. Reducing just five minutes from your shower time will save a lot of water.

5. Drive

What you do: You drive all around town to do your shopping or hang out with your friends.

Instead: Go Metro! You don’t need a car to hang out at some places in Los Angeles. You can hang out with friends or go shopping without feeling the stress on your gas tank—or wallet. A trip to Universal Studios will cost only $7.25 and will take about and hour and 15 minutes. Take the Metrolink San Bernardino line: West to Union Station. Then board the Metro Red Line Westbound to North Hollywood. Get off at Universal City and board the short ride on the Universal shuttle and you’re there!

4. Get a new cell phone

What you do: Everyone needs an upgrade and when its time to renew your contract, it’s out with the old and in with the new. But then what do you do with your old cell phone? Toss it? I hope not. Leave it in a drawer? Well, it’s tough deciding what to do.

Instead: Recycle it! Cell phone can be recycled at an E-waste event or even refurbished through www.planetgreenrecycle.com. You get paid for every cell phone you turn in.

3. Eat Meat

What you do: As the weather gets warmer, it’s time to break out the grill. You cook all the hot dogs and hamburgers you and your friends can eat.

Instead: Lower your intake of beef and other dairy products. According to the Los Angeles Times each cow behind the meat “Belches about 145 pounds of methane, which has 23 times the warming potential of (carbon dioxide).”

Boca Burgers anyone?

2. Clean your house

What you do: Spend a ton of money on cleaning products that may contain harmful chemicals.

Instead: Try using all natural products. It not only saves you money, but it’s much healthier. The article “3 Homemade Natural Cleaning Products” written by Sarah Aguirre from www.about.com suggests using vinegar, lemon juice and baking soda. While it may look like you’re baking something on your kitchen floor or bathtub, you’ll spend less money on cleansers and leave your house with a natural fresh scent.

1. Shop

What you do: Double bag all your groceries with plastic bags before you haul them out to your car.

Instead: Try to using paper bags. They can be reused and they’re less harmful to the environment. Or use canvas bags. They’re sturdier and will have a lower effect on the environment than plastic bags.