Take the challenge and get tigtized! (turn it green today) Tigtize is a gradual process in which a person wanting to ‘turn green’ or ‘be a greenie’, consciously makes an effort to change his/her otherwise wasteful practices and reduces any actions that are harmful to the environment. Get tigtized!

Are you ready for the challenge? Let’s face it, we are a wasteful society. From the food on our plates, the paper products of every kind, plastic, glass, anything to make our lives a little easier to manage, we are wasteful. We have allowed ourselves to become too “needy” for the sake of convenience. Our cars are too big and drink too much gas, they are inefficient for today’s conservation needs. We waste energy in all sorts of ways from leaving unused lights on to running the air conditioner too low and the heater too high. We have become just a little too comfortable. We have to become knowledgeable about our resources, what is happening to the earth, and alert to our actions.

Become knowledgeable, be alert and take action! Reuse, Reduce, and Recycle to get Tigtized!

Before you even consider taking the challenge to become tigtized, you first have to admit that you are a wasteful person and changes need to be made. Then when you’re ready, pick out one challenge and commit to it. Once you’re feeling good about that commitment, move on to the next. I have included some of the most recognized and simplest ways to begin turning green. There are many more as it is a complete lifestyle change. This list is simple enough for your children. Why not work with each other, maybe challenge each other. Not only would you have a common goal to pursue, you would be teaching and learning together. What a great way to get our children involved!

Grab the logo and place it on your own website telling everyone that you have taken the challenge to be a greenie and to help spread the word! There are more logo’s on the tigt logo page of varying sizes and shapes.

TIGT Challenges

1. Change those light bulbs! That doesn’t mean you have to go through your house and change every single light bulb immediately. It does mean to pick out the most used lamps/lights in your home to change.

2. Reuse, Reduce, Recycle. Find ways to reuse something rather than just throwing it out or join your local freecycle”. Reduce everything! Water, heat, gas, energy, etc. And recycle! If your town doesn’t have a recycling program find out the nearest place that does. At Earth 911 you can find a recycling place by inserting your state. Join Catalog Choice where you can choose to stop unsolicited magazines from reaching your mailbox. Also request paperless bills.

3. Heat and cool smartly. Consider your homes insulation. Seal any leaks. Adjust the thermostat to more economical settings and change those filters. Keep leaves and trash cleared away from your outside unit. These are simple steps to take.

4. Plant a tree Whether it be in your own yard or in far away Borneo, planting a tree is a great investment.

5. Be aware of your cooking. Can you cook using the microwave or crock pot more? Can you cook outdoors using your grill? If you have to use the oven, don’t pre-heat.

6. Do a house check. Find air leaks, check insulation, hot water heaters and appliances. Seal and weather -strip. Caulk any cracks or opening in walls and doors.

7. Plant around the outside of your home.

8. Be aware of your driving habits and change them. We’re you aware that gas mileage decreases rapidly over 60 mph. And for each 5 mph that you exceed over 60 mph it’s like paying an additional .30 per gallon of gasoline. Visit fueleconomy.gov for some great driving tips.

9. Start composting. Visit AskTheOrganicman.com for some tips.

10. Wash your clothes in cold water instead of hot.

11. Run the dishwasher only when full. Did you know that washing dishes by hand generally uses more water than using the dishwasher.

12. Turn off your electronics when not in use. I’ve had a bad habit of leaving on the t.v. even when i’m not watching it.

13. Unplug Look around your home to find items that you leave plugged in, yet seldom use. Don’t plug in an item until you are going to use it. Use a power strip for electronics such as tv, stereo, dvd player, etc. Turn off the power strip when not in use.

14. Utilize the ’sleep’ and ‘hibernate’ features on your computer.

15. Be aware of your water use. Do you leave the water running when you brush your teeth? Do you wash your car at home? Far less water is used when you use a car wash. What about when you turn the shower/bath water on and let it run while it heats up? Collect the excess water in a water bucket, then use that water on your plants.

16. Change the way you clean. Vinegar, lemon juice and baking soda are just a few ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. They have been used for years for cleaning purposes.

17. Don’t bag your raked up leaves or grass clippings. Instead use them in your compost.

18. Start the switch to using Re-usable bags. If you need to, start with one or two reusable bags and grow from there.

19. Start a carpool or ride the bus. Even better, ride a bike!

20. Cut down on your use of paper products. I’ve been the world’s worst when it comes to wasting paper towels. I did quit buying paper plates except on that rare needed occasion.

21. Combine your trips into town.

22. Spread the word! And don’t forget the logo!