Printer Cartridge Recycling – In 2004, 14,000 tons of printer cartridges ended up in landfill. I always knew that you could recycle printer cartridges but it’s something I just never did. Actually I’m ashamed to say that I’ve gone through many printers in my lifetime, when I probably didn’t need to buy a new one. This all adds up in the landfills. The best deal I could find is that Staples will give you a $3 store credit for every empty ink cartridge that you turn in, so raid your office’s printers and check out the Staples Recycling Program. Your local school, office supply store or photo shop may also be able to take your printer cartridges for recycling.

Fluorescent Light Bulb Recycling – Fluorescent Light Bulbs, including those Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs that are a more energy efficient, unfortunately contain mercury – which means that they should not be disposed of with normal waste. In fact, it is illegal in the states of California, Minnesota, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin to dispose of Fluorescent Bulbs as universal waste. The best way to recycle your Fluorescent Light Bulbs is to contact your local hardware store.

Battery Recycling – We use batteries in so many different things. Phones, CD Players, Flashlights, Games. These batteries contain a lot of stuff that’s bad for the environment, and they also contain a lot of metals that can be useful for future products. Instead of throwing your batteries in the trash, check out BatteryRecycling.com . Your local hardware store may also offer battery recycling so when you call about your light bulbs, ask them about your 9 volts too!

Motor Oil Recycling – Motor oil should always be recycled. Even my father, a man who wasn’t very concerned about the environment, always made sure to dispose of his motor oil properly. Obviously oil can have some nasty effects on the environment, so it’s a good thing that it is so easy for us to recycle it. Recycled Motor Oil can be re-refined and used again. All you need to do is put your oil into a sealed container (milk jug, coffee can, jar, etc) and take it to your local service station. They have a special container that they will use to store the oil until their distributor comes to take it away.

Cellphone Recycling – Cellphones are the one item on this list that can be reused. Not only will you be saving the landfill, you’ll be helping out someone less fortunate that yourself. If you have a cellphone that you no longer use, there is likely a non-profit organization that would be happy to take it off your hands. Non-profit organizations distribute cellphones to battered women or other people that can use the phones for emergency or other calls. For more information check out Support Network for Battered Women, DonateAPhone.com or stop by your local Cellular Phone Store.

I hope you found this article to be useful. If you have anything for me to add to this list, feel free to leave a comment and I will be happy to append your ideas to this post.

It’s my thought that anyone who is seriously involved in the world of Self Improvement should be making an effort to go above and beyond the normal call of duty to The Environment. While most people do not even do the bare minimum to lessen their impact on The Environment, I think that someone involved in Self Improvement should be setting an example for other people – putting in an extra effort, fighting to make a real difference.

If you think your Self Improvement is really only about improving yourself, I would invite you to revisit your thinking. I have made the choice to be a leader and to stand for what is important to me. As a person who sees the reality of Global Warming and the other atrocities that have been committed against our environment, it is my duty to set an example and to help others find ways to reverse the effects that our lifestyles have had on the environment.

I invite you to take a real look at your life and your daily lifestyle to see where you are being careless with our natural resources, and to see what changes you can make that will have a real and positive impact on The Environment.

Buy low wattage light bulbs – You know the kind. They look like a tube that has been twisted up into the shape of a bulb. They fit into your standard light socket, and use a lot less electricity. The bulbs I got say that they should last 9 years, based on 3 hours of usage per day and will save you about $56 (USD) in electricity costs, over those 9 years. The downside is that these bulbs contain mercury, so I guess they aren’t perfect. I got mine at the Dollar Tree, which means they only cost me $1 each!
More info: GreenLiteUSA.com

Wash your clothes with cold water – I use cold water to wash all my clothes. This cuts down on the energy that would have been used to heat my warm water, and it stops your colors from running. I also use about 1/2 the recommended amount of detergent, and my boxers still come out smelling fresh.

Use mass transit – This may not be feasible for everyone, but if you live in a city that has a good rail and bus system, you can help the environment and save some money by becoming a regular rider. Those trains are running whether or not you ride them, and the amount of money I spend each month on transit (about $80) is nothing compared to what I would be spending if I owned a car. You also get extra time to read your favorite book, since you don’t have to drive yourself.

Ride your bike – During the summer months, riding your bike is a great way to get around town and to get some exercise. Riding my bike became a daily occurrence this summer and I got to explore parts of my city that I had never seen before. Check out your local visitors association for maps of bike-friendly streets and trails.

Turn off your computer – I had a roommate in college who insisted that turning on your computer uses more electricity than leaving it on for the entire night while you are asleep. I suppose he could have been right, since it was 8 years ago and he had an older model computer, but these days we have all sorts of energy efficient desktops. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends that you turn off your monitor if you will be away for more then 20 minutes, and you turn off your computer if you will be away for more than 2 hours.
More info: Computer Energy Tips

Don’t buy bottled water – There have been a lot of talk in the local newspapers about bottled water and the ill effects on the environment. The fact is that millions of plastic bottles are thrown into landfills every year, when you could simply buy one reusable bottle and fill that up in the sink. Plus it will save you a ton of money. If you have an issue with water that is right out of the sink, then consider getting a Brita or other water filter.
More info: AllAboutWater.org

Reuse your old grocery bags – I’ll often come home from the grocery store with 10 plastic bags full of food – double that many if the double-bag them. I’ve been saving my bags and taking them back to my grocery store where they recycle them. You can also reuse them as garbage bags, lunch bags, or anything else you might need to carry. Another option is to purchase some non-disposable bags that can be reused every time you go to the store. I think my local grocery store sells them for 99 cents each.

If you have suggestions about how we can easily make a positive impact on the environment, leave a comment and I will be sure to respond!