100 Ways to Reduce Your Impact

Project Description

http://www.instructables.com/id/50-Ways-to-Reduce-Your-Impact/

I utilized the documentation platform of Instructables to create this earth friendly tutorial on the website, Instructables.  And nooo, I did not start Instructables.com.  A judge for this contest, Eric Wilhelm was the one who created Instructables!

On the website, Instructables, users have the ability to share step by step instructions on how-to projects ranging from many categories.  I decided to enter one of the few 100 step Instructables on the whole website, to document 100 unique steps for citizens like you and I to take to ultimately try and reduce our impact on the environment.

(The link says 50 ways, but that was before I edited it to 100)

I have been interested in spreading the word of environmental awareness, and I felt that the Instructables, open instructional community, was the perfect place to share these tips.  With close to 30,000 views, I hoped to reveal some aspects of our personal lives that can help us reduce the carbon footprint we have on the environment.

Tips ranging from green cleaning to reusable water jugs, I tried to address as many unique tips as I can, and I am sure that at least one of them if used by a large amount of people, will be able to make a difference.  My main goal when developing this project and research, was to make an impact in at least one person's life, and if I did that, then hopefully they can spread the word.  But I know I have reached more lives through the open nature of Instructables, and with a great number of views, I am confident that it will help to improve our environment.

Inspiration

I felt compelled to make a difference.  The Instructables platform makes it so easy to share ideas, tips, and instructions, so I knew it was an awesome place to start.  I have also documented ways one can "Compact Fluorescentize Your House," http://www.instructables.com/id/Compact-Fluorescentize-Your-House/ , reaching almost 25,000 views.  I wanted to put it all in one place, and share my ideas along with general environmental conservation tips, in one reference center.  In addition to the CFL project, I have also documented an Instructable on how to build a portable compost bin, and make use of our endless natural environment.   

With the economy not at its strong point, these tips can also save money.  Reducing electricity costs, gas costs, water, and the utilities, along with many other ways to ween ourselves away from a throwaway society.  I felt that we have something to give back to the land that gives us so much.  As I said in the 100 Ways Instructable, our greatest and most abundant resource is conservation.  If we, as a society can learn to conserve, we will have an environmental utopia.  Though, not entirely realistic, if I can help people to make a change in their own life, hopefully they will inspire others to do the same. 

Who will enjoy this the most?

Those that will enjoy my project the most are those that hope to make a difference in their own community environment.  I want to appeal to those who feel the need to take a step towards appreciating the planet we live on, and not taking it for granted. 

Those who may not enjoy this are those who may not want to take a step toward reducing their impact.  I accept these people's opinions, but in turn, I encourage those that do enjoy this project to reach out to those, and try to help them make a conscious decision.  Reducing money and saving the environment is a win-win situation!

The Project

Well, it is too long to share here, but I will share some of my tips, user comments, and other information regarding my project.

Step 23:

Cheap Insulation: Rugs

Do you have an old house? Use nice oriental rugs for inexpensive insulation.
 

Step 62:

If it's Yellow, let it mello, if it's brown, flush it down

It may be a little unsanitary, but if you go pee, leave it be.
If you go #2, flush that floater down.
It just reduces the amount of water being used in your toilet.
 

Step 41:

Get Tested, don't be afraid to ask

Get your ducts tested, as well as your attic and insulation. An expert can probably do a better job than you, so just use an expert to get tips on how to improve your heating and cooling costs.

Step 68:Clean the lint screen

Clean the lint screen in your dryer after every load, or every other load. This will increase efficiency.

Step 42:

Low Wattage is good wattage

Wherever you can, try to use low wattage light bulbs. Low wattage means low energy. Your energy company charges you for kilowatts/hour, so don't be caught using too many watts.

User Comments:
Miss World: These are really good tips.. I loved this article. Thank you! :) I hope more people read this and act upon it..
CVJX: It was really good instructable and some tips I did not know of were there. Thanks for the info but on step 83, the one about lighters, Zippo does not only use butane(They only use butane in Zippo Blu's), the more known Zippo uses Synthetic Isoparaffinic Hydrocarbon Fuel. I just wanted to point it out, but I would be glad if you could add it. :) (A user submitted comment which I added to the instructable.  I love the user input!)
Theory5: Great instructable. I cant wait to move out of my parents house when I turn 18 so i can practice some of this stuff. Lets hope lots of people read this :-)
Firebat: Very nice job! I'm impressed by the quality of your work, especially for a 15-year-old. Some errors, sure, but this list is a great way to start. If people are suspicious of the validity of your tips, they can always do their own research on them, DESPITE what they think they already know. (A lot of the negative criticisms are based on older data- car idling vs shutdown/ startup, for example)
Don't allow the criticism you get bother you- if it is a valid point, adjust (the way you did with the "Pedal to the metal" comment). Otherwise, they're just Trolling.
Keep up the great work!
LinuxH4x0r: Great job! A lot of common sense that adds up to a lot of savings.
PNM gives out free CFLs
(And there are some who may not agree - but I accept that!) frontier: Hello, i write this not to incite spite or be negative, but because i feel its important to mention. The current approach to saving the envoriment is not beeing done remotely the best way, or even remotely effectively, because of entries like the one you just made. The theory behind it is good yes, but most of it will make virtually NO difference.
 
I encourage you to read the rest of the (350) comments to see what other tips other users have added.  This is the essence of open source, because it allows outside input, and positive comments and criticisms.
 
In addition to my recognition on Instructables, a producer from Planet Green was also interested in featuring this on a television episode, but unfortunately he had to have users who could do live interviews.  Unfortunately I live across the country.  But in addition, many websites have linked to this Instructable, and many people have sent me messages thanking me for documenting it.