October 16, 2020

24 Ways to Save Money by Going Green

Saving money while helping the environment is a win-win. We have put together a list of easy and inexpensive things you can do to save, in some cases, hundreds of dollars a year while living a “greener” life.

Start by picking a few changes you can easily incorporate into your lifestyle. You will feel greener, cleaner, kinder, and lighter (in terms of expenses)!

*Estimated savings per year are based on the average U.S. household.

Line dry your clothes. When the weather is nice, use a line to dry your clothes outside. Your clothes will smell like a breezy summer day, and you’ll save a few bucks on electricity. Estimated Savings per Year: $20-30

Clean your dryer lint trap (after every load). A full lint trap can reduce the efficiency of your dryer and cause safety issues, according to the EPA. Make sure you clean it out after every load of laundry. Estimated Savings per Year: $30-40

Wash clothes in cold water. Cold water and detergent typically do a great job cleaning your clothes. Save money by reducing your hot water consumption. Estimated Savings per Year: $60

Only run full loads of laundry. It’s more efficient to run a load of laundry (or your dishwasher) when it’s a full load. You’ll save on water, gas, and electricity. Estimated Savings per Year: $5-30

Buy LED light bulbs. The average cost of an LED bulb is about twice that of an incandescent bulb. However, LED’s more than make up for that by being about 6x more energy-efficient and lasting 10x longer. LED’s are also longer-lasting and twice as efficient as CFL bulbs. Estimated Savings per Year (vs. Incandescent): $200-300

Make your own cleaning solutions. Make all-purpose cleaning solutions by mixing white vinegar and baking soda. They’re inexpensive to make, effective, and safe. Estimated Savings per Year: $40-60+

Use washable rags instead of paper towels. Using a paper towel for every spill can really add up. Grab a washable rag or reusable paper towel whenever possible to reduce waste. Estimated Savings per Year: $50-80

Put all major electronics on power strips. Electronic devices can consume electricity (and money) even when they are turned off. Plug your devices into power strips, and then turn the power strips off at night and when you’re away. Estimated Savings per Year: $40-80

Use both sides of your computer paper. Save some trees by making the most of your printer paper. Print on both sides or use printed paper as scrap paper when you’re done with it. Estimated Savings per Year: $10-30

Start an organic garden. With a small investment, you can start a container garden on your patio or in your backyard. Enjoy fresh, chemical-free produce at a low cost! Estimated Savings per Year: $100-300+

Cut down on food waste. According to savethefood.com, the average 4-person family in the United States loses $1,500 per year through food waste. Plan your meals, eat leftovers, and be smart about your grocery shopping. Estimated Savings per Year: $1,000+

Buy second-hand products. Buying second hand products is a great way to help the environment and save big bucks. Check out a local garage sale or second hand store for deals on furniture, clothing, books, or other items. Estimated Savings per Year: $500-5,000+

Stop buying bottled water. The production of plastic water bottles uses more water than it takes to fill the water bottles! Also, in some communities, up to 80% of plastic water bottles end up in landfills. Switch to reusable water bottles. Estimated Savings per Year: $100-200

Read your favorite newspaper online. Most publications offer online subscriptions for free or for a small cost. The resources consumed during the printing and production process go far beyond paper. Switch to digital subscriptions to up your “greenness” factor. Estimated Savings per Year: $20-100+

Use your local library. We sometimes forget that we have libraries, which are perfect for people who love the feeling of holding a real book. Save trees by using your local library instead of buying new books. Estimated Savings per Year: $50-200+

Buy higher quality items. It’s easy to be tempted by low-cost versions of small appliances, home décor, and other items, but purchasing inexpensive products can often backfire. When you can, buy high-quality items that will last many years. Over time, you’ll spend less money and throw away less stuff. Estimated Savings per Year: $100-500+

Make your own coffee. Making coffee at home saves money and reduces waste since you can use a ceramic mug rather than a disposable cup. If you have a Keurig machine and prefer to brew single-serve coffee, you can purchase reusable k-cup containers for a few bucks. Estimated Savings per Year: $100-1,000

Get a low-flow shower head. Low flow shower heads can help save up to 60% of the water used to take showers, which computes to 2,000 gallons a year per person, according to the EPA. A new low-flow shower faucet can cost as little as $10. Look for faucets that have the Water Sense label, which means it meets the EPA’s criteria. Estimated Savings per Year: $80-200

Stop water leaks. Worn toilet flappers, dripping faucets, and leaking valves can lead to a lot of wasted water over time. The average household wastes 10,000 gallons of water every year due to leaks, according to the EPA. Estimated Savings per Year: $15

Use alternative transportation when possible. We can easily get in the habit of hopping into our cars to run to a store that’s only one mile away. Use your bike, walk, or take the bus when you can to get exercise, help the environment, and save money. Estimated Savings per Year: $500-1,000+

Avoid idling your car. It uses more gas to idle your vehicle for 30 seconds than it does to turn it off and restart it. Idling also creates a lot of air pollution, which is bad for the environment and our health. Estimated Savings per Year: $100-200+

Use your own shopping bags. Most people own reusable shopping bags. Take these to the store to be eco-friendly and possibly save some money, since some stores do charge for disposable shopping bags. Estimated Savings per Year: $20-30

Buy reusable straws. Affordable and reusable silicone, plastic, and metal straws are now commonly available. They last longer and prevent a lot of plastic straws, which are not recyclable, from going into landfills. Estimated Savings per Year: $5-10

Use online coupons. Most stores have coupons available through apps, which make it easy to save, organize, and present coupons at the checkout so you can save money with less hassle. It’s a great way to save some trees too. Estimated Savings per Year: Depends on how coupon-savvy you are!