Bamboo has become a popular sustainable resource, and you can use it easily by choosing bamboo for your next toothbrush! The majority of bamboo toothbrushes use Moso bamboo which is a species that matures in 3-5 years compared to 50-100 years for trees used in other building material products. Not only does bamboo grow fast, it also requires no pesticides, minimal water, no plastics, no trees, and regenerates without replanting. You can also look out for the label of FSC-certified to know your bamboo was grown responsibly. By choosing bamboo over plastic for your toothbrushes, little by little you contribute less and less to the production and disposal of toxic plastic waste clogging up landfills that can take centuries to fully decompose. So the next time you need a toothbrush, choose bamboo! For more sustainability life tips, follow us here or check out greenbuildingcenter.com/50-shades-of-green.
Light Pistachio & Efficient Shopping
Transportation is the second largest emitter of greenhouse gases out there, surpassed only by buildings. Go green and reduce your emissions while softening the blow of high gas prices by planning your shopping ahead of time or bundling online delivery purchases! With how expensive even regular daily travel is these days, driving less becomes both the more sustainable and more practical option for many. Creating a list of everything you need ahead of time and finding stores close to each other so you can do all of your shopping in one trip allows you to drive less, spend less money on gas, and shrink your carbon footprint in the process. Or if you’re getting items delivered, many sites give the option to bundle deliveries to reduce travel and emissions. Think about what you need for the coming weeks, and start planning your next trip or online purchases now to save yourself time, money, and reduce your environmental impact. Then follow along for more green lifestyle tips here or at greenbuildingcenter.com/50-shades-of-green.
True Absinthe and Secondhand Sweaters
Source your sweaters sustainably by shopping secondhand this season! Reduce Reuse Recycle can apply to so many items in our lives, and one great way to reuse is to shop secondhand! You can keep used items out of landfills by shopping at local thrift shops or online secondhand sites like ThredUp and Poshmark. These sites and shops also tend to be cheaper than buying new, so both the planet and your wallet will thank you! So cozy up to sustainability this season by checking out local thrift stores in your area today. Or if you don’t, Reduce your consumption by finding new ways to style the clothes you already have! And be sure to visit greenbuildingcenter.com/50-shades-of-green for more sustainability tips from the Green Building Center!
Light Glow Green & Swift Showers
Only 1% of our water supply is potable. Save money and water with today’s light green sustainability tip, taking a quick shower! Finding ways to reduce your water usage is a small but powerful act in reducing your environmental impact while saving on your water bill. By taking less baths and shorter showers, you can reduce water consumption by up to 50%. So, save the bath bombs for a relaxing night in, hit the showers for today, and join us for more 50 Shades of Green!
Leafy Spearmint & Air Conditioning
Save energy and money with today’s light green sustainability tip, using your thermostat’s energy-saving mode! Often called Eco Mode, many thermostats come with a power saving mode that efficiently regulates the energy in your building to cut down on energy usage for heating and cooling. If you don’t have an Eco Mode, you can also turn your thermostat up or down a degree or two during peak seasons. Adjusting your thermostat has no upfront cost and you won’t notice a difference in comfort, but it will save you money by reducing your operating costs while cutting down on your carbon footprint! Following this tip is as simple as pressing a button. Literally! So, make the switch to save energy today and follow for more 50 Shades of Green!
Honeydew Green & Resource Conservation
Kicking things off with one of our lightest green tips, don’t forget to keep your reusable bags in your car! Life is busy and small details like this are easily, repeatedly, overlooked. So, you end up with a closet full of reusable bags that never make it to your car. By taking an extra minute to put your reusable shopping bags back in the car after putting away groceries, you can cut down on your consumption of these totes by extending their life for years to come. It can even save you some money, since you’ll stop needing to buy extra bags whenever you shop! If you’re at home and have a minute, why not move those bags to your car right now? And follow along for more 50 Shades of Green from the GBC!
Welcome To "50 Shades of Green"!
Living a sustainable life and running a sustainable business can feel like monumental tasks, so we’re here to make it easier with our newest series, 50 Shades of Green! Every week we’ll be posting sustainable living and business tips, ranging from light green easy-peasy stuff, to the darkest green deep life/business changes for those ready to go hardcore with sustainability. It can seem difficult to see the benefits in taking actions, but focusing on sustainability can improve health, reduce operating costs, and increase resiliency, all while reducing environmental impact. This is the triple bottom line of sustainability: people, planet, prosperity. So, follow along with our 50 Shades of Green series on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook, or keep following along right here at greenbuildingcenter.com to start living a more eco-friendly life today!