(42) Don't get ATM receipts if you don't need them

If you'll just be throwing out the receipt from your recent ATM balance inquiry, then don't request for a receipt at all. You can check the balance from the ATM without having to waste paper. Plus, throwing away your receipt may lead to others picking it up and using your banking information (even if some are censored).

(41) Dispose of cigarette butts properly

If you must smoke, use an ashtray and dispose of cigarette butts properly. If you must smoke inside the car, make use of a car ashtray (buy one or customize an ordinary ashtray) so you can dispose your cigarettes there instead of throwing them out the window. The best advice, though, would be not to smoke at all (just a suggestion :) ).

(40) Print only what's necessary

Print only what you need in a page; if you don't need images, links, extra margins, then modify the document and remove all the extra, unnecessary stuff. When printing web pages, look for the printer friendly version or simply copy the text to a word document. I do this especially when printing emails, so that the space is maximized and only what I need to read or see will be printed. Both paper and printer ink will be saved.

To make life easier, you can also use software like Green Print.

(39) Bring your own lunch box

A great tip from Jessie :

"when we eat at our university cafeteria, we bring our own lunch boxes, instead of having to take out our lunch in styro and plastic containers. :)"

If kids can do it, why can't we? Why are adults so lazy to just bring their own lunch boxes? We got so used to a "throw-it-away" culture that we can't go out and bring our own without forgetting them or finding them inconvenient anymore.

(38) Make Earth Hour a daily habit

For an hour a day, do something that will help the environment. Turn off all electricity for an hour and go out for a walk in the neighborhood or spend time with family in the porch. Or make a daylight savings schedule depending on the weather in your area. Do this everyday until you get used to it, and then extend the hour to a couple or so.

(37) Maximize your computer use

If you need to have your computer opened for a while (you are downloading something, waiting for an e-mail reply, working online), maximize the use of your computer.

Listen to music using the computer by inserting a CD or through mp3 files instead of turning on the radio or CD player. Watch videos, read interesting articles, or just write blog entries if you are bored, instead of turning on the television and watching television. You can even charge your digital camera via USB, if you are using a Kodak digital camera.

(36) Eat fruits for snacks

Eat fruits if you're craving for a snack. You don't need to cook up a meal (gas or electricity is saved), and you don't have to wash dishes after. All you have to do is peel the fruit, eat it, and the fruit skins are biodegradable.

(35) Send out e-invitations

Send party invitations via text messages or e-mails. A traditional paper invitation may be fun to look at, but it wastes paper, ink, and gas for delivery. You also have to either spend money for its printing or creation, or spend time creating them. Time is effort is good, but chances are, people would just end up forgetting about or throwing away your invitations after the party's over.

Invite people via text messaging instead. It will make remembering the party details easier for them and gives you a greater chance of receiving RSVP. If you would still like to send out fancy or colorful invitations, design one on your computer and send them out through e-mails. E-invite websites are now available where you can create invitations in a website and they'll send it to your recipients. Just search for "e-invitations" and you'll find tons of paid and free services.

(34) Maximize water from automatic faucets

It's unfortunate that the restrooms or wash areas in some malls, restaurants, or other establishments still have automatic faucets, or faucets that you just push and water comes out until the faucet closes. This kind of faucet wastes water because some people need just a tiny amount of water and leave the pouring water behind once they're done, unused.

So if water is still pouring from the faucet, there are ways to maximize it. If you're the type to wash your hands quickly, find a friend that will go after you, so that he or she can use up the remaining water. Or find a small pail or glass to save the water; then pour it on a plant, or something you want to clean, or in another pail where it can be of use.

Or better yet - avoid using this type of faucet.

(33) Request for a box instead of plastic bag when grocery shopping

I got this idea from Shoppersville Supermarket along Katipunan Avenue. While most supermarkets encourage customers to avail of grocery bags, Shoppersville urges them to request for a box instead. The box isn't anything special; it's just the box used for storing goods when being delivered to the supermarket. You know, the boxes that contain canned goods or instant noodle packs before these products are put in the aisle.

What a clever idea! Once you get home and unload your groceries, you can reuse the box by putting litter on it, paper for recycling, old stuff that needs to be stored away, among other things. It is especially useful if you using a car and will head for home, since you can just ask the bag boys to place the box(es) on your trunk. But if you're shopping for groceries in a large mall and plan to stroll around, or if you are commuting, then might as well stick to the canvas bag. ;)