When you think about things you could do to be more eco-friendly, don't leave out leisure activities. Here are 28 tips ranging from quick fixes to lifestyle changes that will benefit the Earth -- and save you some greenbacks.

Quick fixes

Tap water is more strictly regulated than bottled water, and there's no need to add to the tons of plastic and glass bottles and jugs -- about 60 million a day -- going to landfills. Recycling them takes energy, too.

You could save as much as $7 by going with tap water, and it may be safer to drink. If everyone drank tap water instead of bottled water in the U.S., it would save about $8 billion.

2. Download music.

Download tunes instead of purchasing compact discs at a store. Each month, more than 45 tons of CDs become obsolete -- outdated or unwanted -- and end up in landfills.

The average price of a CD is about $15, whereas an album download is about $10.

3. Rent, don't buy, movies.

One hundred thousand DVDs and CDs are thrown away each month. Why contribute to the trash pile? And you could save more than $12 a pop. The average movie rents for about $4, while the average new DVD sells for more than $16.

4. Read your news on the Internet.

Cancel your paper subscription and get your news online. Each year, 10 million tons of newspapers are tossed into landfills and aren't recycled. If just half of these were recycled, it would save 75 million trees.

Picking up the daily rag at a newsstand will cost you $225 to $300 a year. If you must have the paper in your hands, at least subscribe to it rather than buying single copies -- you'll save about 50% off the cover price.

5. Turn off your entertainment center.

Electronics, including TVs, cable boxes, DVD players, computers, music systems and gaming consoles, consume as much as 40% of their full operating power when switched off or left in standby mode. They also continue to produce heat, which increases home cooling loads.

Turn them completely off all at once with a common surge protector. They'll last longer, and you'll reduce your electric bill. You'll likely recoup the investment in a $6-$10 surge protector on your first two power bills.

Article by msn