Unless you work in retail, you probably get Labor Day as a paid holiday. Days off may be few and far between, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be green. Here’s eight ways to help out the environment on Labor Day or any of your other days off.
1. Recycle Obsolete Electronics
Many recycling centers will not be open on national holidays, so you may be wondering how this is possible. Well, many electronics retailers now accept products for recycling, and you can also take advantage of holiday sales while you’re there. Use Earth911 to see what electronics are accepted by retailers in your area, but they could include:
- Cell phones
- Rechargeable batteries
- Ink cartridges
- Computers and monitors
- Televisions
2. Mow the Lawn
How can killing grass help the environment? Well, it does if you leave the clippings on the ground instead of bagging them. These grass clippings become mulch, which provides valuable nutrients to your lawn when they decompose. Mulch also helps retain water in soil, so you can save water in your yard.
3. Read Your Labels
In case you don’t read the label of products you buy at the store, your day off provides a second chance to know what you have. Products that may be hazardous to your health (as well as the environment if improperly disposed) will be labeled with words like POISON, DANGER and CAUTION. You can use Earth911 to find collection events for these products so they don’t end up in landfills or our water.
4. Check Your Tire Pressure
The calendar works out so you have just about one paid holiday every month, which is the ideal schedule for checking your tire pressure. It takes two minutes, and helps your car, the environment and your pocketbook.
Use a tire gauge to make sure your tires are at manufacturer-suggested pressure. If they’re not, drive by a local gas station and fill them up (usually a free service). It will improve your gas mileage, cause less wear on your tires (so they’ll last longer) and save you money. If you need new tires, recycle the old ones using Earth911.
5. Monitor Bathwater Usage
Showers use much less water than baths, but you may desire a luxurious bath for your day off. One way to still save water is by plugging the drain before you turn on the faucet, instead of waiting for the ideal temperature. You’ll save several gallons of water this way, and you can balance the initial burst of cold water by adding just hot water later.
6. Change a Light Bulb
Days off are a great time for minor home maintenance, such as replacing a burnt out light bulb. If it’s an incandescent bulb you’re replacing, you may want to check out energy-efficient lighting such as compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) or light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
They will cost more initially, but they save energy and last longer than incandescents. If you’re looking to replace a CFL, use Earth911 to recycle the old one since they contain traces of mercury.
7. Embrace Engine-Less Transportation
Your day off is a chance to keep your car in the garage and take life at a slower pace. Dust off that pair of roller blades, bicycle or scooter to use as your day-off transport. You’ll reduce air pollution and minimize wear and tear on your car parts. In the case of Labor Day, it may be one of your last sunny days of the year, so take advantage.
8. Clean Your Boat
Labor Day typically marks the end of the summer beach season. If you have a boat that has been on the water all summer, it may be ready for some minor maintenance before you store it for the off-season. There’s a few things you can do to keep harmful materials out of the water though:
This story is part of Earth911’s “Green Eight” series, where we showcase eight ways to green your life in various areas. Click here to see Earth911’s “Green Eight” archive.
Trey Granger is a staff member at Earth911.com
