10 Ways to Help the Earth in Under 30 Minutes

These days it's easy to "like" just about anything but did you know you can do a lot more for the planet than like it? Consider that the average user spends about 30 minutes a day on Facebook. Now consider that there are over 500 million people on Facebook and you've got a lot of potential for social and global change.

This year, Retrevo is challenging people to spend 30 minutes doing something extra for the planet. Have an idea of your own? Go to Retrevo's Facebook Wall and let them know!

In the meantime, here are 10 ways you can help in under 30 minutes:

1. Recycle Your Old Gadgets
Go through your home, gather all of your old electronics and take them to an e-cycling facility. If you have some older gadgets that are still in working order but you don't use any longer, drop them off at one of your local charity's donation station. If you're really feeling ambitious, let your neighbors know that you'll be going to the e-cycling center on a specific date and offer to collect their old gadgets and drop them off. Remember, lots of electronics have harmful materials in them and it's important that they don't end up in a landfill. To find e-cycling centers in your area, go to: Earth 911.

2. Use Rechargeable Batteries
Start using rechargeable batteries for your flashlights, and other devices that typically use disposable batteries. Be sure to check the mAh rating to make sure you're getting the best battery you can.

3. Sleep or Auto Power Down Your Game Consoles
Save power by disabling Wi-Fi, or enabling auto-power down mode on the game consoles you own. This way, they'll go to sleep. For a more detailed console-by-console how-to, go to: www.retrevo.com/content/node/1332

4. Get A Bright Idea
As your home's light bulbs burn out, be sure to replace them with eco-friendly bulbs. When your eco-friendly bulbs burn out, be sure to follow the instructions for recycling them properly. Sites like Earth 911 can help you find a local recycling center for your used CFL bulbs.

5. Monitor Your Driving
Knowledge can be a powerful thing, especially when it can help you drive more fuel efficiently. Apps like the greenMeter can help monitor your driving style and find ways to help you save gas and reduce your carbon footprint. Also, be sure to check your car's tire pressure. Deflated tires can add drag to your car and waste gas.

6. Stop Vampire Power
For true gadget lovers, here's a way to green your gadgets with more gadgets: get a smart power strip! Did you know Vampire Power is the energy used by devices when they're plugged into the wall, but not turned on? You can prevent your gadgets from doing this by plugging them into a smart power strip like the Embertec and the TrickleStar.

7. Get Solar Lights
Install solar lights around the outside of your home, instead of traditional, hard-wired ones.

8. Prevent Over Watering
Make sure you're not overwatering your yard or your garden. Get a moisture meter to test the soil and see whether or not you really need to water again. This HoldAll Meter measures Moisture, light and pH.

9. Eat Only Ocean-Friendly Seafood
Did you know that many of the ocean's fish are being over-fished? Did you know what you eat effects the market and the world? Well, now the free Seafood Watch App from the Monterey Bay Aquarium, can tell you if the fish you're thinking of buying is sustainable. It can also give you recommendations about what fish to buy, where to buy it and more.

10. Take Public Transit or Walk
If you live in a city where you have access to public transportation, give it a try & you might just find you like it. If you'd rather walk or bike, that's also a good way to curb your carbon footprint. Sites like HopStop can help you figure out how to get around major metro areas across the world. If you're in San Francisco, you can try the Transporter app. For NYC, try Exit Strategy. For Chicago, try TreKing.

More From Retrevo's Facebook Community...

Want to know what Retrevo's fans on Facebook had to say? Some of the highlights are below. To join the conversation, and read more visit Retrevo's Facebook wall.

George Hilbert suggests reusing items as much as you can; use plastic grocery bags as garbage bags. George also recommends that people give away usable items on Craigslist or local Freecycle.

Beau Scott suggests that people should have been thinking about conservation since the Industrial Revolution. He advocates bringing reusable grocery bags to the store, washing dishes by hand and buying local produce and meat when possible.

Laurie Morton and Harv Laser both suggest filtering water at home in lieu of buying plastic bottles of water.

Judy Saxby suggests running the dishwasher only at night, and only when it is full. To keep her home cool, she applied window tinting that blocks 99% of UV rays and 59% of the sun's heat.

By Jennifer L. Jacobson, Director of Social Media and PR for Retrevo.com

Read the full story at: www.retrevo.com/content/blog/2011/04/do-you-earth-retrevos-social-countdown-earth-day