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New Year. Less Stuff?

Print | Comments () Posted by Beth Daley December 18, 2008 01:00 AM

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By Beth Daley, Globe Staff

It's eco-resolution time.

New Year is about two weeks away and since everything from cooking spatulas to baby bibs have gone green, shouldn't your resolutions too?

Perhaps a power strip should be a part of your new year resolution (globe photo)

Here are a few ideas from Louise Gava, the sustainability coordinator at St. Lawrence University in Canton N.Y. but let's hear your own.

* The Do I Need It Test: Make a card that reads Do I REALLY NEED IT? Gava says only one percent of purchased items are still in use six months after their date of sale (I'm assuming this includes food but not sure where the statistic comes from). Don't buy unless you say yes.

* Walk there: Pick one place you will not drive to all year to cut carbon emissions, save money and get legs moving.

* Automate your personal climate: Purchase a programmable thermostat to automatically adjust the temperature of your home.

* Kick the phantom load: Plug electronics into power strips and turn them off when not in use.

For a funny take on some of the same issues, also check out last year's Daily Green's eco-resolutions (you can call it recycling) http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/new-years-resolutions-47121520

So what are your resolutions?