There are numerous ways of conserving resources at home. These include turning off lights when leaving the room, unplugging electronics that are not in use, and using mulch to help flowers maintain the desired moisture level. Outside of the home, individuals can conserve resources by carrying reusable shopping bags and capturing memories with digital cameras instead of disposable ones. It is even possible to extend conservation goals by exploiting the sun for light and heat.
Water is a resource that is commonly wasted. There are a wide range of measures that can be taken to conserve water in various aspects of life. For example, when cleaning dishes, a person can save water by scraping and wiping away food residue instead of rinsing it. If the lawn must be watered, doing this during the coolest times of the day and adding mulch to flower beds can reduce evaporation. People can even save water when grooming by taking shorter showers and turning off faucets while in the midst of brushing their teeth or washing their hair.
Upgrading to energy-efficient appliances can be an effective way of conserving resources. Both washing machines and refrigerators in this category can save water. Energy-efficient heating and cooling systems can result in a reduction of electricity and therefore a reduction of the materials that are used to generate it.
Other ways of conserving energy resources include turning off items that are not being used, such as lights and televisions. Items with rechargeable batteries should be removed from their chargers once the task is complete. It is also important to note that items with power indicator lights and digital displays, such as chargers, DVD players, and microwaves, consume energy even when they are not being used for their primary purpose. It is best to unplug such items between uses.
Recycling and purchasing recycled goods can help with the goal of conserving resources. By recycling, an individual allows resources to be reused, and by purchasing recycled goods, that person further reduces the demand for new supplies of resources. Buying reusable items instead of using disposable items is another great idea to save resources, including the amount of land used for garbage disposal. Good examples of positive changes that a person can make in this regard include using sport bottles instead of plastic water bottles, reusable shopping bags instead of plastic bags, and digital cameras in place of disposable cameras.
Conserving resources is a goal that can be extended to the workplace. One way of doing this is by relying on sunlight when it is available instead of light bulbs. Open blinds can be used to increase natural heat in the winter, and closed blinds can reduce it during warmer periods of the year. Setting thermostats to automatically adjust to more efficient settings when the work area is empty will result in significant savings. Maintaining digital files instead of paper copies can also help with conservation efforts.