6 Fast Green Things for Your Free Time

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Even though our lives seem busier than ever, there’s bound to be a half an hour here or there where you might come up against an inevitable problem: boredom. While it can be blissful at first, too much downtime might have you chomping at the bit for a new project or idea. To help enhance your free time, we’ve gathered up 6 quick ideas you can try in 30 minutes or less for a significant impact with minimal investment. Then when you get back to the grind, you’ll know you did your part – even if you didn’t have to invest that much time.

1. Choose the New Reuse Symbol

Make your voice heard and vote for the new Reuse Symbol by Sept. 6.

Earth911 recently noticed a problem: Reuse is a major part of waste reduction, yet it isn’t as recognizable or widely practiced as recycling. So, we set out to help change that, along with our friends at GOOD Maker.

We launched a contest to enter a design for a universal Reuse Symbol that could work in any country, for any language, and be made a part of the public domain. More than 100 creative ideas were submitted, and now’s the time to choose the winner. Take 5 minutes and skim through the entries – which speaks message of reuse to you? The top design will win a $500 prize, and voting closes on Thursday, Sept. 6 at noon Pacific.

2. Find Something to Share

If you’ve been wanting to finish a project around your house but are missing a tool, or just can’t get your hands on a book title at the library, reusing what’s already out there, rather than buying new, is a no-brainer. Books, produce, movies and even knowledge can all be swapped to benefit your community and yourself.

But finding reputable resources for sharing your stuff can be labor intensive, and dare we say, a bit sketchy at times. These six resources not only allow you to find ways to trade, but allow access to free resources you might not have considered in the past.

3. Fix a Leak

Every year, the average American household leaks 10,000 gallons of water. That’s enough to shower 600 times or wash 280 loads of laundry. Rather than skipping your daily shower for almost two years, try our top tips to identify and rectify those pesky drips. Not only will you conserve water, but save up to 10 percent on your monthly utility bill as well.