Caring about our communities and the environment isn’t just our rallying cry during Earth Month, it’s one of our core values opens in a new tab. Over the years, our team members and customers have shared great green-living tips, which have inspired changes in our stores, homes, offices and communities. We’ve divided these ideas into four posts – tips for food choices opens in a new tab, transportation, energy and the home opens in a new tab – that we’ll be publishing throughout the month. Visit www.earthlingmonth.com opens in a new tab for more Earth Month inspiration, stories and events. Bright Ideas
At home, we all turn off the television and lights when we're not using them, right? Right? Energy waste is a big problem with some simple solutions that we can all do to help the Earth. Plus, wasting less energy at home also makes cents! For those with one eye on the pocketbook and the other on the planet, here are five favorite Earth Month tips for saving energy. Take a look, get inspired and share your ideas too.
Flip the switch. Simplest tip ever…turn out the lights when you leave a room. It does make a difference. Next step? Unplug appliances when not in use.
Light bulb moment. Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) last longer than standard bulbs and save energy, too. (Tip: unbroken CFLs can be recycled! Earth911.org opens in a new tab is a great resource for any hard-to-recycle item.)
Set for success. Adjusting your thermostat down just 2 degrees in the winter and up 2 degrees in the summer could save CO2 emissions and money.
Be made in the shade. Adjust your window blinds to reduce energy. Close sunny-side blinds in the summer and open them in the winter.
Cold washing. Reduce energy usage by up to 80% using cold water when you wash your clothes.
Hip Hip Hurray
April is about celebrating Earth – and efforts we’re all putting forth to preserve it. Look around your home, workplace and community and be proud of the strides made in recent years to improve the planet. At Whole Foods Market®, alterative energy is top of mind. In January of 2006, we made our first landmark purchase of renewable energy credits (RECs) from wind farms to offset 100% of the electricity used in all of our stores and other facilities in the US and Canada. In 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, we did it again.
Your turn. Do you air-dry your laundry? Are you vigilant about cleaning or replacing air filters? If you have energy-saving tips for around the home, let’s celebrate them in the comments section below.
