MJ's Environment Page...

Read a label... Make a difference!
Did you know that by reading labels and choosing the products you buy carefully, you can make a difference in the world? Well, you can...
Look for containers that are made from:
Post-Consumer Recycled Plastic
Recycled plastic isn't enough. We need to create a market for companies that will recycle... so make sure it says "Post Consumer" recycled plastic!
Look for products that don't contain phosphates
Look for products that are biodegradable
"In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we have been taught." - Baba Dioum
Look for products that are not tested on animals*
* =Though radical, PETA does provide a list of animal-friendly companies & products
Recycle...
Recycle all the items that you can - it DOES make a difference! You may not think that one soda can makes much difference, but think about the bigger picture: if everyone in your city recycled one can each day, thousands - maybe even millions - of cans will be recycled each year! Same goes for boxes, glass, plastic and more!
And remember! Don't dump hazardous materials like motor oil, antifreeze, paints, pesticides and other chemicals! Many of these are recyclable! Check local auto stores, home improvement stores, etc. to find out where and how to recycle these items!
Reduce...
Reduce the amount of packaging you buy and write to companies asking them to reduce their unnecessary packaging...
How do I reduce? Buy refill products to fill containers instead of buying new containers. Recycle all items that you can to reduce the amount of trash going into the waste stream... and don't buy or pick up things you won't use or don't need....
Reuse...
Reuse items when you can to help reduce the amount of trash you're creating, like using plastic grocery sacks as trash bags rather than just throwing them away or buying bags you don't necessarily need.
And remember, what isn't valuable to you anymore may be valuable to someone else! Donate old appliances, computers, books, cars and clothes to nonprofit organizations - this could even be a tax write-off for you!
Conserve Energy & Fuel ...
  • Instead of turning the heat up or the AC down, change clothes! Warmer clothes will keep you snug in the winter and fewer clothes will help you stay cooler in the summer! Also try a fan for cooling the air on summer nights and flannel sheets for keeping warm on winter nights.
  • Turn the lights off when you're not in the room or don't need them; try opening the curtain and using natural light rather than just flipping the electric switch!
  • Use a clothesline rather than the dryer in nice weather
  • Car pool! Also, try biking, walking or public transportation!
  • Buy a battery charger and re-chargeable batteries (this will also save you money in the long-run)
Conserve Water...
  • Use plants and landscaping that don't require much water
  • Turn the water off while brushing your teeth
  • Don't run the washing machine or the dishwasher until you have full loads
  • Heat water up rather than running it until it's warm
  • If you run water until it is warm, save that water to use on houseplants, etc.
  • Sweep porches and driveways rather than hosing them off
  • Turn off the water while soaping up the car during a car wash
What Else Can I Do to Help the Earth?
  • Plant a tree
  • Cut your 6-pack rings before throwing them away so animals don't get stuck in them
  • Don't use paper or plastic plates - they create more waste
  • Cut down on your meat consumption - or cut meat out of your diet altogether
  • Don't litter
  • Don't smoke - cigarettes release 200+ toxins into the air, create litter & can be fire hazards
  • Insulate your windows, doors and walls to reduce energy used for heating & cooling your home
  • Don't use aerosol sprays
  • Use scrap paper for things like phone messages... or for kids to draw on
  • Don't buy disposable products - they create more waste than re-useable products
  • Spay & neuter your pets
  • Adopt pets from the Humane society or shelter rather than pet stores
  • Volunteer your time to nonprofit and grass roots programs that help raise awareness levels
  • Write your Representative(s) / Congress people
  • Write companies to tell them what you, the consumer, want and expect (less packaging, containers made from recycled materials, etc.)
  • Ask for PAPER (rather than plastic) bags at the grocery store
"If someone burned down the Louvre, you can be sure people would be outraged," says Russell Mittermeier, president of Conservation International. "We're burning down nature's Louvre, and no one pays attention. Even if we keep a species alive in the zoo, it doesn't mean we can keep the thing alive. You need several hundred animals to keep a healthy gene pool."
If you're interested in pictures of animals or the great outdoors, check out my photography page...
My animals page has lots of interesting information too...
And don't forget about the outdoors page...