Five Ways to Help the Environment at Home

In honor of Earth Day, Arlington Patch is bringing you a series of stories on how to be more "green" at home and in your community. 

This week we have the top five ways to be environmentally-friendly from kitchen and your own backyard. 

1. Recycle: From newspapers to aluminum cans and plastic bottles, we all have items around our homes that can be recycled. If you don't already have one, you can pick up a blue recycling bag at during regular business hours. You might not realize it, but there are many items you have lying around the house that can be recycled. Check out our list . For more information on recycling in Arlington, see the town's website.  
2. Replace your light bulbs: Install compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) when your older incandescent bulbs burn out. These save on energy and your electric bill. They can be purchased at your local hardware store or at CVS or . 
3. Install a low-flow showerhead: You can pick up a replacement shower head at local hardware stores like R.W. Shattuck & Co Inc or  Wanamaker Hardware True Value. They are relatively inexpensive and the money you will save on utility bills will quickly pay back your investment. 
4. Unplug appliances: Make sure to unplug all those electronic devices when you're not using them. You can also use a "smart" power strip that senses when appliances are off to limit "phantom" or "vampire" energy use.
5. Cut down on bottled water: Use a water filter to purify tap water instead of buying bottled water. Bottled water is not only expensive, but it generates large amounts of container waste.