Nature is an important part of Mountain Living in Black Mountain, NC
For people who appreciate peace, quiet, and the chance to inhabit their own little slice of mostly untouched nature, nothing beats living in Black Mountain, NC and Western NC. It’s what drew us to move here years ago to escape suburbia, the crowds, the traffic and to enjoy all that mother nature offers us.
Earth Day which falls on April 22nd each year reminds us of the need to protect our Earth’s natural resources for future generations and to be good stewards as we live our daily lives.
Here are 10 ways to honor the Earth every day by living a low-waste lifestyle
Follow the 3 R’s. Look for ways you can Reduce, Reuse and Recycle throughout your home. You’ll save natural resources, energy, and money, and you’ll reduce waste sent to landfills.
Conserve energy at home. From turning off lights and electronics when not in use to using a programmable thermostat, to changing your air filter regularly, there are many small things you can do to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions while saving money on your utility bills.
Reduce paper waste and junk mail. Think twice before printing things at work and home. You can reduce your mail by using online payment options that avoid paper bills. And there are services that will remove your name from unwanted mailing lists to reduce junk mail. Go to the FTC website to Stop Junk Mail.
Recycle your electronics. Your old, unused or broken computers, tablets, phones and other electronics can often be recycled for free by stores, manufacturers and the Town of Black Mountain has a program click here , which saves natural resources while also reducing pollution.
Give your car a break. Whether you’re commuting to work or running errands, you just might be able to leave your car at home, even a few times a week. Walk, ride a bike, carpool or if you are going to Asheville consider taking the bus. You’ll save money, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and get more exercise.
Turn off the tap. Whether you’re brushing your teeth, washing dishes, or taking a shower, turn off the water when it’s not needed.
Replace your bulbs. LED bulbs may cost more than incandescent bulbs, but they will save money over the long run, last longer, and use up to 90 percent less energy.
Bring your own bags to the store. Use a backpack or bag from home, or buy reusable bags that you can keep in your car and use again and again.
Buy local. Buying local produce and other items reduces shipping distances from food sourced overseas, and also supports local businesses and communities. There are several local produce vendors in our area and the Tailgate Market is open every Saturday morning starting in May, you can get the details on our event calendar.
Act local. Get involved in environmental work in your local community. There are lots of different opportunities for volunteers to get involved in cleaning up parks, restoring habitats, and other efforts to make communities greener. A few of our favorites are :
