Just like organic foods in the grocery store, there seems to be a popularly held misconception that going green is far more expensive to the average person than the traditional way of doing things. This is simply not the case, in fact, there are many things that you can do to help offset your carbon footprint and help the environment that cost little, cost nothing, or even make you money. If you have the desire to go green, but not the green to go green, then read this article on budget friendly was to help the environment.
Most municipalities will provide you with a free method for recycling. This is typically a blue bin that you put out alongside your trash bin. There is rarely any cost associated with this service. Research what you can recycle in these blue bins and then recycle everything you can. However, do not put aluminum cans or other metals in this bin. Instead, take these items to independent recycling companies and collect your cash.
Energy efficient bulbs are going to become mandatory soon, so there is no use fighting the movement. Purchase these bulbs and start realizing your savings rather than trying to conserve the dollar fifty that you spent on your existing bulb. The new bulbs last a long time and save you lots of money on your electric bill.
Instead of using a clothes dryer, do your laundry one load at a time and hang the clothes out to dry. Even if you only have a balcony in an apartment, you can still take advantage of this tip. Think of saving 75 cents for every load of laundry you dry in this manner and the savings will mount quickly. Not only will you be saving money but you will decrease your consumption of gas and or electricity.
If you have some money saved up, look into green projects that will pay you back in the long run. Solar panels often have state and federal incentive programs that will offset the cost of purchase and installation. In many cases your local utility company will pay you for any excess energy that your home generates and add to the grid. In many cases, with the help of these kinds of incentive and by back programs, the pay back period for installing solar panels is five years. So after five years you will be ahead of the game.
Hopefully this article has provided you with some useful information on how to go green on a budget. The important thing is that you are trying to do something to make your world a better place. Some of these tips will even save you money, it would be a good idea to take any savings of cash influxes that you realize and put them towards other projects you may want to undertake to help the green cause. Maybe even buy some solar panels or a wind mill? Good luck and thank you for your commitment to the environment.
