5 Eco-Friendly Projects to Get You Started Going Green

Everyone may not be able to live an entirely green lifestyle but everyone can make at least one eco-friendly lifestyle change. In taking that first step towards going green this spring season give one of these green projects a try. I guarantee your eco footprint will be less noticeable.

1. Build a dog poop compost

Did you know that when you throw dog poop into a trash can it gets emptied into a landfill where it become an environmental toxin? Most landfills have strict rules that ban pet excrement so in turn pet owners can be given a hefty fine for throwing away pet feces.

That doesn't mean you don't have options. There are several environmentally safe methods of disposing of dog or cat poop. The most common method being to build a dog poop compost. Here's how to build your own:

Supplies

Shovel
30 Gallon Plastic Trash Can with Lid
Heavy duty knife such as a utility knife or butcher knife
Septo-bac

Instructions

1. Use a knife to cut the bottom off of the plastic trash can.
2. Select a spot in your yard that's out of the way and dig a hole big enough for the trash can to sit firmly inside.
3. Place the trash can in the hole.
4. Add some dog poop.
5. Pour in 1 gallon of water
6. Add Septo-bac according to instructions on the package
7. Cover with lid
8. Compost can be used daily after 48 hours.

More information regarding pet feces removal can be found by clicking here.

2. Create a barrel to catch rain water to conserve water

Rain barrels are easy to use, easy to build, can save you a lot of money and help preserve the environment. Because there are no chemicals or softeners in rainwater it is good for watering plants, filling bird baths and washing cars. A 1,000 square foot roof can yield 623 gallons of water from 1 inch of rain fall.

Supplies
Drill
Pliers
Twine
Cinderblocks or other materials to make a stand or base for barrel
55 gallon food grade plastic barrel
¾" male faucet
2 washers and 1 lock nut
Plumber's caulk
1 roll nylon window screen
Hose Adapter
1 Washer and lock nut for hose adapter
Sump drain hose
2 Hose clamps (optional)

Instructions:

1. Drill a hole near the bottom of the barrel.
2. Apply caulking around the edges of the hole
3. Apply washer and screw faucet into hole.
4. Apply caulking inside the barrel, around faucet fitting.
5. Apply washer to the faucet fitting inside the barrel and secure with lock nut.
6. Drill another hole somewhere near the top of the barrel. (this if for the overflow)
7. Using washers, caulking and lock nuts insert hose adapter into hole and secure with pliers.
8. Drill several large holes into the top of the lid.
9. Cut window screen large enough to lay on top of the barrel and hang down over all sides. (this will keep bugs and debris out of your water)
10. Secure screen by tying twine around the rim of the barrel.
11. Place lid on the barrel.
12. Stack cinderblocks to build a stand or build a stand of your own choice.
13. Place rain barrel on cinderblocks or stand.
14. Empty every 7 days and keep and eye on your overflow.

3. Dry laundry on a clothesline outside

A typical house uses around 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity a year just by drying their clothes. One t-shirt can send up to 9 pounds of carbon dioxide into the air in that same year. Not to mention it costs the average person $130 a year to dry their clothes in the dryer.

Households can cut down cost and energy usage by refraining from running their clothes dryer and hanging their clothes outside to dry. There's obviously no instructional guide necessary for this step. All you need is some rope and a place to secure it.

4. Support local farmers

While some would urge you to plant a garden I'm going to suggest that you instead purchase your produce from local farmers. Visit local farmer's markets or stop by vegetable and fruit stands.

Growing your own garden is great but not everyone has the time or the means to do so. A better alternative is to help keep the agricultural industry in business by shopping locally. Utilizing local farmers cuts back on the need for farmers to ship their crops to other cities, states and countries which reduces our need to use fuel for shipping. Besides everyone knows that home grown produce is so much better tasting than chemical covered veggies from the store.

5. Buy New Underwear

Going green doesn't have to be expensive or exhausting. Something as simple as changing your underwear can make a huge difference.

Organic cotton underwear is hypoallergenic and dust mite resistant which is important for those suffering from asthma or allergies. They are also biodegradable and are a renewable resource. Not to mention that organic cotton is chemical free so that there are no toxins being released into the air in the making process. Plus they are inexpensive and easy to care for.

When you make the decision to decrease your environmental footprint or just want to do something eco-friendly, just remember that the small things make a difference. Take one small green step at time and any one of the above steps is a great green beginning.