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GREEN U - Get your Green On and Win!


 

At One Million Acts of Green, we’re firm believers that every green act counts; that every act keeps our planet healthy, our air and drinking water clean, and our environment and natural resources sustainable. By now, we hope you’ve caught the green spirit and are helping the environment through our green tips.
 
We also know that coming up with new, eco-friendly daily habits can be a challenge. In case you’re searching for new ways to help the environment, we have a few suggestions that will have a big environmental impact:
 
1. Take public transit instead of driving. It’s pretty intuitive—the less you use your car, the better it is for the environment. But this fact may surprise you: According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a single gallon of gas can produce as much as 20 pounds of carbon dioxide. Replace a 20-mile round trip commute with a relaxing ride on public transportation and you can reduce your annual CO2 emissions by 4,800 pounds per year.
 
2. Donate clothes and other used goods. It takes energy—electricity, gasoline, oil and natural gas—to create new stuff. And discarded items—particularly clothing made with synthetic materials—can leak dangerous toxins into the ground and water supply when landfilled.  Instead of throwing clothes away, donate them to the charity of your choice. Items too worn for reuse? No worries. Your local animal shelter can always use bedding for the dogs and cats in their care.
 
3. Turn off the computer when you aren’t using it. The amount of electricity your computer uses depends on a lot of factors, such as the age, make and model of your hard drive, and the size and style of your monitor. According to one estimate, the average desktop computer can use as much as 250 watts of electricity per hour, compared to the 15-45 watts required by the average laptop.
 
No matter what kind of computer you’re using, if it’s on and you’re not in front of it, you’re wasting electricity. That’s not just bad for your electric bill, that’s bad for the planet. According to a 2000 U.S. Department of Energy report, the generation of a single kilowatt-hour of electricity produces four pounds of CO2 emissions.
 
4. Use non-toxic cleaning products at home. We’ve all seen the commercials for cleaning products that promise a sparkly, clean shine with virtually no effort on your part, but here’s what the commercials don’t tell you: When you rinse or pour that miracle cleaner down the drain, you’re potentially harming the environment.
 
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, many of today’s commercial cleaners present a health hazard to exposed populations and may be toxic to aquatic animals. Luckily, manufacturers are catching on and there are a number of eco-friendly cleaning options made with natural, biodegradable ingredients that won’t harm the planet.
Or, you can make your own cleaning products. Good old household vinegar can get windows, mirrors and stainless steel surfaces bright and shiny, and baking soda makes a great non-toxic cleanser for bathtubs, toilets and countertops.
 
Stay tuned to GREEN U for more simple, eco-friendly acts that you can incorporate into your lifestyle to help the environment.
 
And remember, for every three acts you register with One Million Acts of Green, you receive an entry into the Three to Green Sweepstakes. The grand prize? $5000 worth of eco-friendly products from BuyGreen.com.
 
One Million Acts of Green can also be found on Facebook. From there, it’s easy to pledge, complete and also share your acts with friends. Hopefully, they’ll get in on the act, as well!
 
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