5 Steps to Becoming an Eco-Hero

October 25, 2007 - Make sure you like EcoJoes on Facebook to stay updated on green ways to save money and help the environment. Just click the "like" button below. Muchas gracias!


EcoJoe - Eco-HeroMost people now-a-days try to help out the environment, even if it’s by doing something small, like turning off a faucet while you brush your teeth, or not littering. But for some, that is not enough. By following the handy green tips below, you can turn yourself from a zero to an eco-hero.

1. Wear the Same Clothes for Days on End

I’m not saying that I’ve ever done this (of course not), but I’ve heard of people who’ll wear the same clothes without washing them, as long as they’re not too dirty. The average washing machine cycle uses about a kilowatt-hour of energy, not to mention all that water. And dryers are one of the top energy users in a house. The ultimate eco-hero will continue wearing his (or her) clothes until they are tattered rags, not even washing them once.

2. Don’t Use Napkins, Ever

Think about this one. If you use cloth napkins, you have to wash them. If you use paper napkins, you have to throw them away. But if you don’t use a napkin at all, you will cut your napkin-related environmental impact to zero! If you must wipe your hands on something, just use your shirt, which you should’ve already been wearing for days on end (see #1).

3. Hitch-hike Everywhere You Go

Driving alone is for suckers. And paying for gas? Not at today’s outrageous prices. All it takes to get from Point A to Point B is a thumb and a smile. You’ll meet tons of interesting people, plus who knows where you’ll wind up! Of course, if you’re fine with boring ol’ “do-it-yourself” driving, then this tip is not for you.

4. Shower in the Rain

Next time the skies darken and you hear some thunder, grab a bar of soap and run outside. It’s shower time. Environmental savings include lowered energy use, decreased water use, and increase of feeling one with nature.

5.Trash Buffet

This, perhaps, is what truly separates the eco-heroes from the eco-zeroes. Do you have any idea how much food restaurants send to landfills every day? I don’t, but however much it is, it’s too much. If you wander the back alleys behind a group of restaurants, you are treated to a veritable trash buffet of nutritional goodness, plus you help keep the landfills a little emptier.

If you can follow these five steps, then you will be an official eco-hero. Just send me an email and I will place you into the Eco Hall of Fame. Do you have what it takes to be an eco hero?

Posted in eco hero, green living, save money on Thursday, October 25th, 2007 at 3:50 PM.

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Sheri's avatar

Sheri · 910 weeks ago

Gross joe...is this waht you do at work to entertain yourself?
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QueenOfTheWorld · 910 weeks ago

Why are there only pictures of you? Do you have no ecoWoman?
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mrs.tinsley · 909 weeks ago

shower in the rain? eat out of the trash??? what are we, bums or rats?? That's ridiculous!
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ecojoe · 909 weeks ago

Hey, rats and bums are an excellent example of eco heroes. Don't knock it 'til you try it :)
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pelf · 909 weeks ago

I've NEVER done this, but I heard you can wear an underwear for day before washing it too. Wear it front-front, front-back, inside-in, inside-out.

GROSS. LOL.
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queenoftheworld · 909 weeks ago

haha! I love it. I think its great humor. What a green hero you are.

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Jeremy · 881 weeks ago

You can save rain water for showering to. Make yourself an outside fabric stall, paint a metal bucket black to absorb heat, connect a hose to the bottom with a shut off valve. Collect water in 55 gallon drums then transfer it to the bicket to let the sun heat it up. You are ready to go. I work from home and rarely do laundry. I have around the home clothes, working outside clothes, and going out clothese. If I am doing anything other than working or lounging I wear my working outside clothes. Who cares if they get dirty, you are just working in the yard or on a project. They will get dirty anyhow.
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baby · 876 weeks ago

Nice website!!
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bombaymom · 582 weeks ago

Ah, yes, the shirt-as-napkin eco-salvation device! I'm familiar with it! I love the contest, and shall, soon, photo results of a trash-hunt I'll go on, soon. And, really, yes, we Amurricans wash clothes TOO OFTEN. Friends o mine of the European persuasion (and my very own blessed mom, rest her soul!) habitually hang clothes up after a day's mild wear, and the air itself freshens them for another day.
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ecojoe 69p · 582 weeks ago

Your mom is not the only one who does that! Sometimes all it takes is hanging up a shirt to give it that "just washed" smell.

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