Go Green: Earth Friendly Living Tips

So you've heard about "going green," but maybe you think it's too expensive, too time-consuming. Well, "going green" doesn't always mean installing solar panels or windmills; anyone can reduce their carbon footprint, no matter how limited your time or finances.

Every day, we use dozens of products and appliances. Each of these has a certain effect on our Earth. Believe it or not, you can become a more responsible global citizen by changing your everyday practices, a few steps at a time.

We've all heard the plea to "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle," but how? One fun and free way to reuse old materials and reduce your own consumption is the popular website "Freecycle.org." With over five million members, the idea of freecycle is just what it sounds like: 'recycling' materials by giving them away to others, with the idea of deflecting reusable objects away from landfills. For example, instead of tossing old books, clothing, packing materials, or nearly anything you can think of, sign up for Freecycle and give them away to someone in need. Plastic plant pots from the garden store aren't recycled in many places, but through the use of Freecycle, they can be given to a local school or nursery for reuse.

Another easy method to green your lifestyle is to eliminate the use of plastic grocery bags. These "free" bags actually have a terrible impact on the environment. According to Reusablebags.com, the ugly truth about our plastic bag addiction is that society's consumption rate is now estimated at well over 500,000,000,000 (that's 500 billion) plastic bags annually, or almost 1 million per minute. These bags made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) are the main culprit. Once brought into existence to tote your purchases, they'll accumulate and persist on our planet for up to 1,000 years. Many communities are taking action against the destructive quality of polyethylene bags. Ireland was the first to confront the problem by introducing a tax (known as PlasTax) in 2002 that reduced bag consumption by 90%. If you live in a community that has not yet banned or taxed plastic bags, you don't have to wait. Cloth shopping bags are available everywhere and in a variety of styles. You can even start a fun activity with your kids by selecting fabrics and sewing your own carriers. Your kids can join in the fun by selecting their own reusable lunch bags to bring to school. Some grocery stores will even offer a rebate for reused plastic bags.

Another drastic way to green your lifestyle and save money is to cut the excessive heating and cooling from your home. Almost half of a home's energy consumption is due to heating and cooling. To save the Earth and your wallet, just add an extra sweater or blanket in the winter. According to MSN Real Estate, turning down the thermostat in cold weather and keeping it higher in warm weather will drastically cut back on your energy bills. Each degree below 68°F (20°C) during colder weather saves 3%-5% more heating energy, while keeping your thermostat at 78°F in warmer weather will save you energy and money. Another option might be to close off certain rooms in summer and winter. For example, if a guest room is never used, closing off the heating vents and shutting the doors can save energy and money. In cold winter weather, some families choose to move a sofa and television into an upstairs or bedroom area; this reduces the overall area of your home that needs temperature control. Reducing water consumption also helps save the environment. Try installing a low-flow shower head to cut out unnecessary water waste. Do you need a low-flow shower head? A simple test exists: If your shower fills a one-gallon bucket in less than 20 seconds, replace the showerhead with a water-efficient model. This can save you about 750 gallons per month. Low-flow options are also available for commodes, one of the most common water wasters. Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the toilet bowl without flushing, you have a leak. Fixing it can save up to 1,000 gallons a month. For drinking water, keep a full pitcher of water in your fridge. This prevents waste; instead of letting water run until the temperature is cool, a water pitcher makes sure that none goes down the drain. For more ideas about saving water, check out WaterUseItWisely.com.

A great money saver that will also help the environment is simply replacing your lightbulbs with CFL (Compact Fluorescent) bulbs. We don't want heat when we use a light; we simply want light. CFL lightbulbs use less energy, last longer, and will cost you less. 90% of the energy used in an incandescent (standard) lightbulb is lost on heat. CFLs will help save the planet.

A project that will teach your kids about the planet (and will keep them occupied for hours) is starting a small garden. Virtually any space could be used; if you don't have a large yard, a small corner is fine. Or pots indoors or on a porch work great! You could even get free plastic pots for free by asking your local nursery, by posting a request on FreeCycle, or by checking out your local recycling center or trash deposit. Planting even tiny plants can save you money and teach your kids valuable lessons about financial responsibility and the Earth. Try some Basil, which is fast and easy to grow. Puree it in the blender with a little olive oil and parmesan cheese to make a pesto sauce to pour over pasta- your entire family will love it!

Something else in which your entire family can participate is the elimination of plastic water bottles from your lifestyle. Even though the plastic used in water bottles is very high quality, only around eighty percent of bottles are recycled. Bottled water produces up to 1.5 million tons of plastic waste per year. According to Food and Water Watch, that plastic requires up to 47 million gallons of oil per year to produce. The expense of bottled water can hit more directly as well; why pay $1.50 for a product that is nearly free out of the tap? In addition, there is very little evidence to suggest that any type of bottled water is better for your body than tap water. Indeed, increased bottled water consumption leads to more neglect of the public water system. Also, bottled water usually doesn't contain fluoride; the American Dental Association recommends fluoridated water. Instead of wasting money and resources on bottled water, buy a reusable bottle. If you want to be absolutely assured of the purity of any water you drink, try Katadyn's Water Bottle Microfilter, which will pass your water through a filtration system. Other options include environmentally safe options by Klean Kanteen, New Wave Enviro, Sigg, and Platypus.

Greening your life doesn't have to be difficult or expensive- just a few small steps can change your impact on the Earth for the better. Become a better global citizen by following these tips, and preserve our earth for your grandchildren. As we live, we must remember Great Law of the Iroquois Confederacy, which says, "In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations." We all have a responsibility not to live so blindly; take accountability for your carbon footprint and help our Earth.