15 ways to be a more conscientious citizen without recycling

1. Don't let the water run while you're brushing your teeth
2. Make a conscious effort to take shorter showers
3. When you find a glass of water from earlier in the day with maybe only a quarter cup left, instead of tossing that bit down the sink and refilling it, drink that bit and then if you're still thirsty refill it
4. Use your old socks, towels etc as rags for wiping up spills or dusting instead of paper towels
5. Don't use a napkin when you don't need one
6. Rewash your plastic silverware once and reuse before throwing them away.
7. GIRLS: You don't need nine sheets of toilet paper to wipe your piss.
8. Sanitize your kitchen sponges every day or week or whatever instead of throwing them away for new ones. Send them through the dishwasher or heat some bleach water up in a pan and boil them for one minute.
9. When you are finally done with that kitchen sponge use it as a bathroom sponge
10. Reuse your old target and grocery store plastic bags as bathroom trash can liners and kitty litter or dog poop pickup bags
11. Instead of using a notepad to write yourself little reminders you can use pieces of leftover junk mail, envelopes, old homework etc.
12. When cooking, make large portions and refrigerate or freeze the leftovers to avoid throwing away half a can of chicken broth, tomato paste etc.
13.Turn off the lights! It's hard to remember, but for most of the day, even in the winter from 9-5 lights are not really necessary.
14. Use a whole notebook. When it is time to buy your kids (or yourself) new school supplies, go through old notebooks and tear out pages before you make your list. Nobody uses a whole notebook in a year.
15. Ride your bike. Not only will it help you get in shape and save gas, its often even faster than getting somewhere using public transportation if you live in the city.


Not that recycling isn't an amazing way to help out this planet, but these are small ways that you as a citizen can make a difference with just a little organization and minimal effort.