Going green, or protecting the environment, is something that an increasing number of individuals are doing these days. You may be wondering if what you do will have any effect. Here are five myths to be aware of.
1. One common misperception about going green is that recycling consumes more energy than it saves. However, one of the reasons many manufacturers utilize recycling is that it saves energy. A new metal can, for example, requires 95% more energy than recycling one. Another advantage of recycling, at least for aluminum, is that it may be recycled multiple times.
2. Another fallacy about turning green is that it is preferable to keep an old item and have it repaired than to buy a new one. Appliances can be costly, so no one would blame you for attempting to save money by repairing an existing appliance rather than purchasing a new one.
However, from a purely environmental sense, buying new is unquestionably ‘greener.’ Newer appliances are designed to be more efficient, which means they can save you up to 90% of your energy usage. Check with the retailer to see whether they will remove and recycle the old appliance.
3. Another fallacy is that it is expensive to develop a green house. While it may be more expensive during the construction process, the energy savings can be significant. Green designs are also relatively simple to incorporate into homes and structures, frequently without increasing the cost.
4. Still some accept the fallacy that the primary motivation for being green is to reduce their ‘carbon footprint.’ The truth is that most individuals are going green in order to save money on their heating and cooling bills. Less than 30% of individuals who go green do so because they care about the environment.
5. Finally, one of the most common myths about turning green is that small changes won’t make a difference. The truth is that even minor modifications can have a positive impact on the environment. Consider the following options:
* Conserve water by watering your yard and garden during the day, turning off the water when brushing your teeth, checking for water leaks in your home, and only running fully filled washing and dishwashing machines.
* Conserve energy by shutting off lights when you leave a room, lowering your thermostat a few degrees when no one is home, and lowering the temperature on your water heater.
* Save petrol by carpooling, maintaining your car’s engine, and keeping your tires properly inflated.
As you can see, there are numerous myths around turning green. You must evaluate whether the potential savings are worth the effort of making the necessary changes for your family and the environment.
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