save earth sunday!

Save earth Sunday is an event I made to help the planet. Every week on Sunday I will post eco tips we can all use daily to help impact the earth, because together we can change the world! Feel free to post your own eco tip(s) as well and don't forget to leave me a link to your post so I can do it too.
I hope you all have a lovely Sunday!

First: Reduce

The critical first step of waste prevention has been overshadowed by a focus on recycling. Please help to promote a greater awareness of the importance of the "Reduce" part of the Reduce-Reuse-Recycle mantra. For a great overview of how raw materials and products move around the world, see the video The Story of Stuff.

• Simplify: Simplify your life as much as possible. Only keep belongings that you use/enjoy on a regular basis. By making the effort to reduce what you own, you will naturally purchase less/create less waste in the future. For information on voluntary simplicity, check out Voluntary Simplicity Websites. Learn more through books on voluntary simplicity.
• Reduce Purchases: In general, think before you buy any product - do you really need it? How did the production of this product impact the environment and what further impacts will there be with the disposal of the product (and associated packaging materials)? When you are thinking about buying something, try the 30-Day Rule -- wait 30 days after the first time you decide you want a product to really make your decision. This will eliminate impulse buying.
• The Compact: Join or form a Compact in your area - groups all across the globe committing for 12 months to not buy any new products (see lower right sidebar for groups).
• Replace Disposables: Wherever possible, replace disposable products with reusable ones (i.e., razor, food storage, batteries, ink cartridges (buy refill ink), coffee filters, furnace or air conditioner filters, etc.).
• Buy Used: Buy used products whenever possible. Some sources:

• local thrift stores
• Ebay
• Craigslist
• Amazon (search on specific refurbished product)
• Freecycle (free!)
• local newspaper listings
• local material exchange sites (search in your area)
• garage sales (search in your area in the 'for sale' > 'garage sales' section
• used refurbished computers (check your computer manufacturer's website or Amazon)
• local used furniture stores (search in your area)
• local consignment shops (search in your area)