Tree Limin' Extreme: Tree Limin' Extreme is Going Green: Part 3 "What You Can Do"

When it comes to "going green" or just simply cutting down your family's waste and energy consumption, it doesn't mean you have to drop thousands of dollars on solar panels or install any wind turbine. There are simple every day things that you can do that will help our environment! Even though these little things may seem insignificant, just remember, ever little bit counts.

Here are 15 Examples of things you can change in your everyday life that can make a difference:

1. Re-Think How You Pack Your Lunch
People every day head off to work, school, or wherever with a paper bag lunch in hand. Instead, invest in a lunch box! They come in all shapes and sizes that fit everyones style. Also, rethink those plastic zipper bags. Replace them with tubber ware or any reusable container.

2. Turn It Off At Night
There are a lot of electronics that we don't use at night, so why have them on? Turn off your computers, TV, lights, and pretty much anything else you aren't using when you're asleep.

3. Hang Dry
If it's a nice summer day, why not hang dry your clothes?

4. Pay Bills Online
Most companies now offer online bill pay! You can get a reminder to you e-mail, pay on time and you don't ever have to leave the house. You can also sign up for online bank statements and get receipts sent right to your inbox. Imagine all the paper you will be saving.

5. Carpool
Carpooling is a great way to save money, gas, and to get to know your co-workers.

6. Change Your Light-bulbs
Switch out your normal bulbs with fluorescent bulbs. They use less energy and last longer!

7. Full Load Only
When washing your clothes, wait until you have a full load to run the washing machine.

8. Set Washer to Cold Water
You reduce carbon emissions by switching from hot water to cold water while laundering your clothes.

9. Reuse and Re-Purpose
Reuse and re-purpose items like gift bag, various food containers, plastic bags, tooth brushes, toilet paper and paper towel tubes, milk jugs, and tissue boxes.

Click the italic items for links to view ideas to reuse and re-purpose items

10. Once a Week, Don't Eat Meat
It takes 2,500 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef!

11. Buy A Reusable Water Bottle

There are certain places in the world where you can't fill up with tap water (the Virgin Islands for example), but if you live somewhere where you can, please do! In the U.S. alone, we throw away 5 million plastic bottles every day. It's easy to go out and purchase a reusable water bottle and it can save you money.

12. Brush Your Teeth Without Running the Water
You can save up to 5 gallons of water a day by not running the water while you brush your teeth!

13. Online Phone Book
Now that the internet has all the answers, you can ditch the paper phone book and find all the numbers and addresses you need on the web! If your phone book only collects dust, you can opt out of it.

Click the link to opt-out of your yearly phone book now: Opt-Out of Yellow Pages

14. Reusable Shopping Bags
Reusable shopping bags are great because they are durable, save a lot of plastic, and can fit more groceries in one bag (less trips back and fourth to the car).

15. Recycle
This one is a no-brainer. It's simple and it's great for the environment. You can save trees, ocean and seas, and reduce the trash in our landfills.

While you do your daily routine, keep some of these tips in mind. With your help, we could all make a difference and keep the world a beautiful place!