Ways to Conserve, Cut Back and Curtail (Part 3 of 3)

Here are a few more tidbits of information to guide you on the path to more environmentally soundness!
1. If you're planning on reading a book or meet up with a friend at Starbucks, ask for a ceramic mug! Starbucks hands out 1.9 BILLION paper cups annually. Wow...that's a lot of nonfat, double-shot, extra-whip caramel macchiatos!
2. Try a compost pile or bin. It cuts down on what goes into the landfill, and it's great for your flower or vegetable garden. We have one in our backyard!
3. You can harvest rainwater to use for a later date. Local experts on the subject are Denton-based Tierra Design (TheRainHarvesters.com) or Arlington-based The Rain Well (TheRainWell.com).
4. Even though buying organic fruits and vegetables are expensive by comparison, the alternative is to put pesticides into your body and onto the earth.
5. Plano-based EnviroGLAS (enviroglasproducts.com) takes recycled glass and porcelain products and, using the terrazzo technique (a mosaic look), creates environmentally sound countertops and floors. Just make sure they take the label off the Heineken bottle : )
6. Here's a chance to get rid of the bisque-colored dishwasher you hate: appliances with the Energy Star rating use 10-50 percent less energy and water than other appliances. An Energy Star dishwasher uses at least 41 percent less energy than a traditional one. A front-loading washing machine uses 40 percent less energy. If 10percent of Americans took this route, the effect would be the equivalent of planting 1.7 million acres of trees.
7. Shrink the amount of junk mail you receive by visiting JunkBusters.com
8. In honor of the Christmas season, make sure you recycle your wrapping and tissue paper. Save those bows to use next year!
For more advice, check out the full article in D Magazine!