Shades of Green: 10 Ways to Green Your Life

Contributing Staff
Rich Women Sisterhood

Written by Lindsay Evans

Going green doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing affair. Taking small steps in the green direction has a cumulative effect that can lessen your environmental impact. Going green is a process that we can all adopt into our lives - it's up to you to choose which green methods is best for you. These ten easy green ideas will help you get started.

1. Cut Your Commute. Yes, this is easier said than done, but worth the effort, because cutting back on your fuel consumption is a significant way to reduce your carbon footprint. Could you carpool to work or ride the bus or a bike? How about just once a week? Don't ignore our fuel-dependency problem. Begin to think of gas as a limited resource worth conserving. If you are in the market for a new vehicle, make fuel efficiency a top priority. Consider a hybrid vehicle like the Toyota Prius or a small car that gets over 30 miles per gallon.

2. Plant a Tree. Plants help improve air quality by using carbon dioxide and emitting oxygen during photosynthesis. Do your part by planting your yard with native shrubs and trees or by donating a tree to a local park or school.

3. Get Rid of Disposables. Take a vow to avoid using unnecessary throw-away items like paper plates, napkins, and cups. By choosing to do the dishes yourself, you will be saving the trees used for the plates, the energy it takes to manufacture, package, and transport them, and the landfill from unnecessary waste. If you or someone you know is having a baby, read up about the new generation of easy-to-use cloth diapers. Modern cloth diapers make a fabulous baby shower gift for any expectant mom.

4. Reuse Before You Recycle. Recycling is a fantastic way to make the most of our natural resources but the process requires a large amount of energy to process and transport the materials. Before you throw recyclables in the bin, try to give them another use. The kids' art becomes wrapping paper, the glass pasta jar can hold dry beans. Bring your grocery store bags with you for another use or two before they are recycled.

5. Invest in Efficient Appliances. If you are considering replacing a household appliance, you'll be pleasantly surprised at the modern ultra-efficient models on the market today. Refrigerators, washers, dryers, and dishwashers are not only stylish, they're more efficient than ever. Energy Star dishwashers and front-loading washing machines save both water and energy over their conventional counterparts. In fact, the Energy Star website (www.energystar.gov) states that "replacing a dishwasher manufactured before 1994 with an Energy Star qualified dishwasher can save you more than $30 a year in utility costs."

6. Green Clean Your Home. Trade in your conventional household cleaners for less toxic environmentally friendly ones. Since chemicals washed down the drain become part of the water cycle, it's nice to know that consumers have a eco-friendly choice with the latest generation of hard-working green cleaning products at grocery stores nationwide. You can also make your own all-natural cleaners with vinegar and baking soda. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle, and use the solution to clean countertops, walls, and sinks. Baking soda can be moistened with water to make a paste that can be used as a mildly abrasive cleaner on stubborn spots or bathtubs. Although these cleaners are safe for most surfaces, always test them on a hidden area first.

7. Switch Your Light Bulbs. Compact florescent light bulbs have been improved over the last few years and no longer emit harsh, bright light. They come in a variety of sizes to fit most common fixtures. Many public utility companies offer compact florescent bulbs to their customers for free or at a discounted rate. Compact florescents use about 75 percent less energy than standard bulbs and can last up to 10 times longer, according to the Energy Star website. In fact, they report, "if every American home replaced just one light bulb with an Energy Star qualified bulb, we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year, more than $600 million in annual energy costs, and greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars."

8. Conserve Around the House. Make it a house rule to be mindful of energy use. Teach your children or other family members to turn off the lights or TV when they leave the room. No staring into an open fridge for minutes on end. Keep your house temperature at 68 degrees (instead of 70) and try to use the sunshine to warm your house during the day. (In the summer be sure your curtains or blinds keep the sun out.)

9. Eat Local Food. Eating organic food is great, but eating local just may be better. Local foods - ones grown and produced in your local area - save a great deal of energy by traveling a short distance to their final destination. Just think - those grapes came all the way from Chile? That is a lot of unnecessary energy used to bring them all the way to you. Instead, save energy and support your economy by buying locally made products and foods. Want to be a green food superstar? See if any local organic farmers offer Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) subscriptions. Sign up to receive farm-fresh, local, organic produce all season long.

10. Support Green Companies. We all know that money talks. In the end, if consumers choose to buy green products and support companies that care about the environment, the market will rise to the occasion. As the going green movement hits mainstream America, real change lies in the hands of us all.

Image courtesy of Zenera