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Five Things You Can Do To “Green” Your Lifestyle

Watch Your Outdoor Lighting

Turn off nighttime lights, or use lower watt bulbs and cover them with a dome so the light is focused on the ground to cut down on light pollution. Light pollution affects nocturnal wildlife and protects the beauty of the night sky. Plus, by turning off lights and using smaller bulbs you can conserve energy.

Clean Your Refrigerator Coils

Cleaning your refrigerator’s coils will help it run more efficiently. Here’s a quick explanation of how to clean them:  Unplug the refrigerator and find the condenser coils (they’ll be on the backs of older fridges and underneath newer ones). Then, carefully vacuum dirt and dust from the coils and the fan (if visible). Gently brush away leftover dust with a paint brush, slide the refrigerator back into place and plug it in.

Eat More Vegetables

It takes more energy to produce some foods. According to Scientific American, it takes just 5.75 BTUs (British Thermal Units) of energy to produce a pound of grain, compared to 23.5 for a pound of eggs. Less energy-intensive foods include grains, fruits and vegetables, while dairy and meat take more energy to produce. Getting local produce, meat and eggs also helps cut down on the amount of gas needed to ship your food.

Keep Water in Your Fridge

According to The Daily Green, keeping a pitcher of water in the refrigerator helps it keep food cool more efficiently.

Go to the Carwash

Surprisingly, going to a carwash is greener than washing your car at home. Car washes typically use less water to get a vehicle clean, and they’re required to drain their wastewater into sewers instead of letting it run into a sewer or straight into the groundwater (then into Lake Michigan and Green Bay). If you’re set on washing your car at home, use biodegradable, nontoxic soap.