Green on a Dime
News: How to go Prius green on a Chevy Nova budget.
What the eco-elite recommend: |
The cheap alternative: |
An efficient convection oven |
Baking with heat-retaining glass or ceramic dishes rather than metal ones means you can set your oven 25 degrees lower. |
A green dry-cleaning service |
Hand wash silk, rayon, wool, and cashmere. |
A hybrid car such as a Prius |
Ride a bike. You'll save a bundle in gas, maintenance, and insurance. |
Energy Star washers and dryers |
Always fully load your washing machine and wash with cold water. String up a clothesline for drying. |
Reverse osmosis to purify drinking water |
Drink tap water where practical. Clean water is one reason you pay taxes, right? |
Brand-name, ecofriendly cleaning products |
Ever heard of distilled vinegar, club soda, hydrogen peroxide, and baking soda? |
A low-flow toilet |
Make your own by submerging two full plastic bottles in the tank. |
A new, energy-efficient refrigerator |
Let your leftovers cool before putting them away. |
A tankless water heater |
Turn down the old one to 120 degrees from the standard 140. |
Produce from a local market may not be certified organic, but it's possibly fresher. |
This Web exclusive is a supplement to the November/December 2008 print issue of Mother Jones.
Celia Perry is the research editor at Mother Jones.
