Go green with these New Year’s resolutions
Whether you've installed a dishwasher at the cottage, or are still doing them by hand, there are ways to conserve energy when using either of these methods to clean up. From choosing Energy Star-qualified appliances to scraping your dishes rather than rinsing them, we have tons of tips on how to lighten the load on your well, septic, and even your bank account!
Do you have a stream running through your property? If it's within two kilometres of your cottage or home, it may be the perfect source for generating clean, renewable energy. Find out if you can do it by reading our article: Setting up your own microhydro.
Whether it's leaving falling trees and aquatic vegetation or opting for a low-impact dock, there are lots of easy ways to improve the health of your shoreline. In fact, many of the tips in our article, 4 steps to a healthier shoreline, involve doing nothing at all!
Runoff can do serious damage to your lake, playing a big part in creating harmful toxins, such as blue-green algae. Check out our article for 8 easy tips that help help minimize runoff.
While we all know it's not environmentally friendly to use chemicals, it's not practical to just put up with the bugs when you're at the cottage. See 4 ways to repel bugs naturally for more eco-friendly solutions to avoiding these cottage-country pests.
Try biodegradable fishing line and lures, follow fishing regulations, and learn how to properly release a fish. For more details on each of these steps, see our article on friendly fishing.
Fuel, paint, weed killer, and construction waste—for the environment's sake, learn how to properly dispose of items like these.
When it comes time to replace those decades-old appliances, make it count by choosing an energy-saving model, which are becoming increasingly popular. See How to choose an energy-efficient fridge and Washer and dryer at the cottage for more details.
When it comes to firing up the grill, there are options that are more environmentally friendly than others. However, it's not as easy as choosing gas, propane, or electric, which tend to burn cleaner. Check out our article on clean barbecuing to find out what matters.
