Guest column: Green Street: Easy ways to go “green”

The following appeared in the spring 2023 Ocean Pines Report quarterly newsletter: /documents/20124/91011/OP_newsletter_v55no3_web.pdf/48fe5b2d-9750-8028-7c2a-eba214908eba

 
Since the very first Earth Day in 1970, more and more individuals have joined the movement to mindfully make choices in their daily lives that reduce pollution and waste to protect the environment. Here in Ocean Pines, we can all contribute to the preservation of the beautiful natural resources that surround us by adopting lifestyle changes that can contribute to a greener and cleaner future.
 
Here are some simple steps each of us can take to go green.
 
●      Cut down on single-use plastics. Plastic doesn’t biodegrade or get absorbed back into the environment, which means it can sit in landfills for hundreds of years where it breaks apart into smaller and smaller pieces called microplastics. While it’s nearly impossible to avoid all plastic, switching to reusable water bottles and grocery bags is a good place to start. Instead of buying bottled water, start carrying a refillable bottle. Keep handy a supply of reusable bags for groceries and store leftovers in reusable containers.
 
●      Go paperless by embracing technology. Sign up for paperless utility bills and financial statements that can be downloaded and stored on digital drives. Use one of the many free apps available for making lists and taking notes on your phone, tablet or laptop. Don't worry about the paper backlog you have already accumulated and concentrate on developing new habits going forward. Of course there are important papers that we all need to keep, but by going digital with most documents you can reduce the time you spend filing and the space needed to store paper files.
 
●      Reuse your household “greywater.” In most homes, there are several sources of uncontaminated water that can be used to water plants and gardens, for cleaning projects, and for just about anything but drinking. Safe greywater sources include water collected by dehumidifiers, cooking water from pasta or vegetables and ice melt from coolers. Ambitious “greenies” might even consider installing a cistern to collect rainwater.
 
●      Reduce food waste. Plan meals carefully to avoid leftovers and/or make plans to use them. Gardeners might consider composting as a way to recycle kitchen scraps (excluding proteins), grass clippings, leaves, and other yard waste into a high quality soil amendment.
 
●      Switch to battery powered yard tools. Eliminate unwieldy electrical cords, gasoline costs and pollution by switching to rechargeable battery-powered yard maintenance tools. From lawnmowers to leaf blowers, you can now find everything you need to maintain your landscape in a battery-powered format.
 
●      Reduce home energy consumption. Replace incandescent light bulbs with LED types and turn off lights when you leave the room. Unplug chargers when they are not in use. Install solar-powered or motion detector lighting in outdoor areas. Save money on your heating and cooling bills by lowering your thermostat when you are asleep or away from home. (Programmable thermostats make this easy but are not recommended for homes that have heat pumps). Wash laundry in cold water instead of hot.
 
●      Buy Used. Before buying something new, consider secondhand shopping. Quality clothing, furniture and other household goods can often be found at thrift stores or from online resale outlets. Secondhand shoppers save money and help the environment by avoiding the resources used to produce, package, and ship new products.
 
●      Adopt Greener Driving Habits. Even if you are not driving a hybrid or all-electric car, there are ways to reduce gas consumption and emissions. Make sure your car and tires are well-maintained and keep your trunk or hatchback empty of items that might weigh your car down. Drive the speed limit and coast as much as you can. Take your foot off the gas pedal when you are approaching a red light or stop sign. Being gentle with your car’s accelerator saves gas and improves brake life. Use cruise control to maintain a steady speed on highways and avoid idling. Many newer vehicles allow you to drive in “Eco Mode,” which is another gas-saving feature.
 
●      Finally, observe the 3 “Rs” of Sustainable Living. The first “R” is for reduce. As is noted above, reducing consumption of single-use plastics, food waste and buying used are good ways to reduce your carbon footprint. The second “R” is for reuse. Before you toss an item into a recycling bin, consider how it might have a second life. Glass jars and bottles can be reused to store pantry goods and other household items or in creative crafts. Plastic carryout containers can be reused for leftovers. Outgrown clothes can be donated to thrift stores and worn out household textiles can become cleaning rags. The third “R” is for recycle. Whenever possible, choose products that  come in recyclable containers. In Ocean Pines, Republic Services accepts glass, plastics numbered 1 through 7, and most paper and cardboard material including milk cartons in their large mixed material bins. Republic also accepts but does not recycle yard waste. Using paper bags instead of plastic for yard waste decreases its life in a landfill.
 
You don't have to adopt all of these green habits at once. Start slowly by changing one behavior and then add new eco-friendly practices gradually until they eventually become second nature. The more you do, the better you will feel about your carbon footprint and your impact on our ecosystems.