25 Ways to Save the Planet: 6 - 10
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 04.27.06
Part four out of our five-part series has more easy, affordable things you can do by the end of the day today to make a positive impact on our planet.
10) When it comes to toilets, we've seen a lot of gadgets: dual-flush handles, controllable-flush handles, alternative toilets, the UnBathroom emergency toilet, a water recycling toilet and reviews of the best low-flow toilets. They're all valuable in their own way, but rather than rushing out to buy one of them, there's an even easier way to save lots of water: make your own frugal flusher. Just place a brick or similarly voluminous object in the tank of your toilet; by displacing some of the water, there's less of it to flush each time, and less valuable wet stuff goes down the drain.
9) We can't emphasize this one enough: replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents. They're more energy efficient, last longer, and can even help clean the air in your home. There are too many other good things about them to list here, but, trust us, they're worth it.
8) Even though there are some good things going on in the bottled water industry, like biodegradable water bottles and this bottled water with a cause, you can't beat filtered tap water in a reusable bottle. Same goes for other widely-consumed beverages, like coffee, and if you're stuck on the aesthetics of the disposable cup, check out TreeHugger founder and fearless leader's ceramic solution.
7) Cut flowers are pretty and smell good, but are ultimately disposable after just a few days. The next time you're in the market for some, go for a potted version instead. They last longer, improve indoor air quality and can even be self-watering. If cut flowers are a must, go for organic and look for the Veliflora sustainable floral label.
6) A low-flow showerhead can save you gallons of water each time you use it. We've seen 'em as low as a half-gallon per minute, and for as little as $12 US.
::25 Ways to Save the Planet: 25 - 11; we finish off the series tomorrow -- don't miss it!
Here's another one - I'm an amateur kickboxer, and I used to find myself buying at least 4 one litre bottles of Gatorade a week. Besides being pricey, I was feeling guilty about the positively huge Gatorade bottles with their thick plastic walls. I found out that Gatorade will sell you dehydrated Gatorade for around 4 bucks for 2 gallons. So now I mix up my own Gatorade, put it in a nalgene bottle, save some cash and the environment. There is of course the plastic container the powder comes in, but it's a lot less plastic than 2 gallons worth of bottles.
You might want to think twice about using a brick in your toilet tank as it can disintegrate over time and leave you with a bigger mess on your hands. Instead, we all hate them, but we've all used them, try using a plastic water/soda/juice bottle in the tank, filled with water from the tank, and capped. We know it won't disintegrate so the flushing mechanism will stay intact.
Hi folks, I would like to add a few improvements to what you suggest here.
First, do not use a brick or concrete block, or even rocks. They tend to drop grit into the tank which destroys the seal and causes you to leak a lot of water, thus defeating your purpose and making things worse then before you did anything.
Second, when choosing a water bottle be sure that it has the recycling code on the bottom and that it is NOT type 3, 6, or 7, which are the worst for putting toxins into your water from leaching and outgassing. Avoid any container which does not have the recycling emblem on the bottom. This advice also applies when purchasing foods and beverages, avoid the worse plastic types.
Last, low flow shower heads can be had for as little as $6 new and on occasion even less if you shop bargain stores. At one point there were even some for $1 in a local dollar store, though they sold out in less than a day.
And if you do buy flowers, or a potted plant and it dies, compost it or put it in a corner of the yard, don't throw it away to just go into a landfill.
I am all for water saving but is there a decent low flow shower head? I have always had horrible experience with low flow shower heads because they can't even cut through my arm hair! I can come to terms with all forms of conservation I've started carrying cloth bags to the grocery store I carry around my own water bottle everywhere I go I'm even about to sell my car for a more efficient one. but I can't use a low flow shower head.. are there any with more pressure?
The brick in the tank trick shouldn't be tried on newer toilets that are already low-flow. Reducing the water any further in these will result in poor flushing.
Aj
Another easy trick to reduce and adapt the amount of water flushed in the toilet: put a weight on the rubber trap that stop the flow: I have added a few metal nuts on the chain used to lift the trap - like on a necklace. So now the trap only stay open when you pull the handle, letting you control the amount of water used to flush... Easy and effective.
Mike,
I use a water head similar to this one: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/10/eco-showerhead.php
I got it for less than $6 at home depot and it works great (I am hairy also). We have hard water, so let it soak in vinegar every 6 months to clean the spray holes and you're set.