Earth Day Tips for Going Green

Happy 42nd Earth Day!

The first Earth Day, observed across the country on April 22, 1970, highlighted a growing public concern for ecological issues. 

Forty-two years later, the call to protect our planet still resonates.

Recyclebank, a company that gives discounts and deals to people for taking everyday green actions , put together some easy electronic-minded ideas to help the planet.

• If all of Facebook’s 845 million users shortened their shower by 1 minute, the amount of water saved would fill 1.1 million Olympic sized swimming pools.

• If every person on Twitter turned their computer off for one hour, it would be like taking 9,128 cars off the road each year.

• If every smart phone was recycled when it was no longer in use, enough energy would be saved to power 199,800 homes for one full year.

To celebrate a day dedicated to going green, we’ve got a few tips for Maple Grove Patch users to help the environment:

1. Shut down your computer when you're not using it.

2. Take a shorter shower.

3. Recycle plastic water bottles.

4. Better yet, use a reusable water bottle.

5. Use citronella candles instead of bug spray to repel insects, when you can.

6. Carpool.

7. Better yet, ride your bike.

8. Borrow books from the or any other library, friend or family member instead of buying them everytime.

9. Unplug appliances and chargers that aren't being used.

10. Switch your lightbulbs to CFLs.

11. Wash laundry in cold water instead of hot.

12. Plant a garden or shop at the when it opens.

13. Let your kids color on the back of junk mail or one-sided copies.

14. Give things away instead of throwing them away.

15. Stop paper bank statements and pay bills online.

16. Keep a priority on recycling.

17. Don't preheat the oven, unless you really need to.

18. Use old clothes for rags instead of paper towels.

19. Buy secondhand from places like , , or when possible. You can also check out the upcoming Just Between Friends Spring Children's & Maternity Consignment Sale April 25-April 28, 2012.

20. Remember that no one is perfect. You will better serve the planet by just doing what you can, when you can.

What do you do to help the planet? Please share your tips in comments!

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