Think Green in 30 Days! 30 Easy Things We Can Do to Help the Planet

Starting something new from a new diet to a new workout program can be exciting. We are all pumped up and talk about how we are going to feel and look and may jump into it all at once. After a couple of days or weeks, some of us may lose interest and stop. It is similar to wanting to doing things to help the environment. So much to do, so little time. Imagine the impact we could have on the environment if we did a little each day to save the plant! Help your community, but you also may save yourself some money! Doing simple things like unplugging appliances not in use to trading paper napkins and using cloth instead can make a huge difference. There is so much to do where does one start? Let us start in baby steps. Starting today, commit yourself to doing one thing a day for the environment. After one day, commit to another day, then another couple of days, a week, two weeks and build up to a month! Soon it will be effortless. Are you ready to get started? Grab a pen and paper and jot this down.

30 easy things we can do to help the planet

Bring lunch to work in reusable containers

Collect rain water and use it for landscaping

Start gardening

Bring your own bags to the grocery store

Donate old cell phones and help save the African gorilla (eco-cell.org)

Buy in bulk and avoid excess packaging

Start compositing (see my article, "Coffee Grounds and Your Garden")

Find new uses for old things

Vote for change

Walk to the store

Buy recycled toilet paper

Eat more veggies

Recycle magazines

Help your car to run more efficiently by giving your car a tune up

Use greener cleansers like baking soda (it cleans just about everything)

B.Y.O.B. (of water)

Shut your computer down when you leave work (especially on Fridays)

Get off junk mail lists by registering at: http://www.dmaconsumers.org/dgi/offmailinglist

Join a food co-op

Buy shade-green coffee

Take the bus (or train)

Shred old paper for packaging instead of using Styrofoam peanuts

Sign up for paperless statements

Turn off the lights

Reuse your zip lock bags

Buy or borrow pre-used moving boxes

Buy things that will last

Print on both sides of the paper

Use rechargeable batteries

Spread the word!