Another“R”that doesn’t get much attention but has important environmental implications is rot. As in,let your food and yard waste rot naturally in the soil instead of sending it to the landfill. In other words: compost.

Composting your food ...

Did you know it takes over 700 gallons of water to grow enough cotton to make just one plain t-shirt?

Instead of heading to the mall to buy new clothes, consider looking first in a thrift store or vintage shop, or trading clothes with friends. You can breathe new life into your wardrobe wit...

Money talks—if enough people use their purchasing power for the good of the Earth, it will create a demand for sustainable practices. Businesses will either have to comply … or be left behind.

Think about how many people you see each day drinking beverages from disposable cups or disposable bottles, sipping from disposable straws, carrying disposable grocery bags, eating from disposable plates or containers and using disposable utensils. All that single-use plastic has to go somewhere,...

*Maintain your heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system.

*When it’s time to buy a new appliance, choose an Energy Star-certified model.

*Seal air leaks around doors and windows.

*Make sure your home is properly insulated to the recommended level of heat resistance...

Want to protect the environment? Use fewer harmful chemicals and you’ll be on the right track. It’s hard to be sure about the long-term negative effects chemicals can have, both on our bodies and on the planet, so it’s best to avoid them if possible. Opt for chemical-free lawn and garden care; al...

*Collect and use rainwater for watering plants.

*Shorten your shower by a few minutes—or skip it altogether if you don't really need one that day.

*Only run your dishwasher or washing machine when it's full

Use less waterThese are just the basics—you can get really creative when...

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a typical passenger vehicle emits about 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year.1 Any amount of that we can cut back on will help. For short trips, try walking or biking—you’ll also get a healthy dose of exercise in, without setting ...

Curbing consumption can have a huge impact on the environment. The three "R's"—reduce, reuse and recycle— get a lot of attention, but the planet could benefit from some focus on the most important and most underrepresented "R": refuse.

When you refuse, you say "no," which is not always easy...

Next time you’re tempted to purchase or accept a non-essential item, think about whether it would truly improve your life. If not, it's ok to just say, "No, thanks!"

Bonu: Refusing to allow unneeded items into your life can save you money and reduce the am...

While we’re on the topic of shopping, it’s important to think about the path your stuff takes just to get to you. All that packaging, combined with the fuel needed for delivery, really takes a toll on the environment. Instead, check out your local farmers market for fresh, package-free food; try ...

As you can guess, we’re quite fond of this method of protecting the environment! Anytime you can use less electricity, it’s a win for the planet. Try some of these quick ways to conserve energy around your home:

*Trade incandescent bulbs for more energy-efficient CFLs or LEDs.

*Use sm...

Conserving water at home is one of the easiest ways to protect the environment. Think of all the times you consume water, both inside and outside your home; then, make adjustments as you can. For example:

*Turn off the tap while you brush yo...

Most of damage to our environment stems frome consumption : what we consume,how much we consume and how often

The positive thing about being a consumer is that we have the power to choose where we spend our hard-earned dollars. Think of your money as your voice and your vote for a cleaner planet. Spend it wisely on goods, services and experiences that leave a smaller carbon footprint. Choose to do busine...

All of the above items (and more) have more environmentally responsible counterparts. Switch to reusable items and make a commitment to use them as often as possible. You’ll have less trash piling up at your curb, and you’ll be helping to protect the environment in a major way.