Green on a Dime

How to go Prius green on a Chevy Nova budget.

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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.

Whole Foods

Produce from a local market may not be certified organic, but it’s possibly fresher.

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BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things they don’t like—which is most things that are true.

No one gets to tell Mother Jones what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please help with a donation today if you can—even a few bucks will make a real difference. A monthly gift would be incredible.

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