NewsHillsborough County

Actions

Going Green in 2020: Simple ways to reduce your carbon footprint in the Tampa Bay area

Microfiber waste
Posted at 4:25 AM, Feb 18, 2020
and last updated 2020-02-24 05:26:46-05

TAMPA, Fla. — All week long on Good Morning Tampa Bay, we are highlighting different ways to reduce your carbon footprint.

Filtrol filters help reduce plastic pollution
Valhalla Resale does a lot of laundry as a clothing resale and rental store. So, they chose to install a Filtrol filter. The filter acts as a washing machine lint and microfiber filter. You can read more about their efforts here.

Two apps that make it easy
Meteorologist Greg Dee highlights two apps that make it super simple.

  • Seafood Watch App is produced by the Monterey Bay Aquarium and is considered a guide to sustainable seafood.
  • GoodGuidehelps you search for over 75,000 products you use everyday to determine the concentration of a particular chemical or ingredient.

Cutting off energy vampires
There are simple things to do around your home that can help you save money and energy.
For instance, making your fan go the opposite direction uses less energy.
Unplugging devices and electronics can also save you about $200 a year.
Our sister station, WMAR, did a whole report on saving energy. You can read about that by clicking here.

Being green while shopping online

Although shopping online is largely thought to be more environmentally friendly than in-store shopping, there are ways we can all reduce our carbon footprint:

1. Choose a slower delivery option
2. Try not to buy things you might end up returning
3. Be sure to properly recycle packaging

Monitoring plastic usage
A local couple created a new business called 4R World. It's a mobile refillery in an 18-foot trailer that allows your to refill things like laundry detergent, shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash and more. The trailer has 50 products on board. It was just launched this month, you can check their Facebook page for the next location they'll pop up at.

Looking for guidance on how to recycle different Amazon packages? You can find more information here.