GREEN TIPS: Jun. 19-26

Photo by Solomon Lindenberg.

Get pedaling

In the U.S., 50 percent of car trips are less than two miles. Biking or walking 10 miles each day instead of riding in a car can save up to 1.9 tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere every year. 

Unplug

Electronics use energy even when they’re turned off, so unplug them when you’re not using them. It could save your family about $200 a year.

Buy products you don’t need a knife to open

Containers and packaging made up the largest portion of municipal waste at almost 78 million tons, or nearly 30%, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. If it’s not possible to avoid such packaging, styrofoam or bubble wrap, see if your local shipping company can use them.