Small Green Steps

It’s usually not the big things that stop us when figuring out how to live green. More likely it is the daily habits that we develop over time. If you have developed some bad green habits, there’s no time like the present to change them. So, how exactly do you live green? It’s a simple two-step process. First, take an honest look at your current habits. Then, find ways to live greener.

STEP ONE ─ Assess Your Habits

Make a list of areas in your life that you can improve. Keep your list short and manageable. Here’s an example:

• Transportation. Include when and how you get from point A to point B for work, entertainment and errands.
• Energy Consumption. Include when and how much gas and electricity you consume.
• Food. Include when, where, and how often you eat in restaurants. Also list your grocery shopping habits, including the amount of food you buy, eat and throw out.
• Clothes, Electronics and Furniture. Include the types of products you buy and how often you you replace them.
• Cleaning and Personal Care Products. Include the types of products you buy and how often you replace them.

STEP TWO ─ Green Your Habits

Look at your above list to see your current habits. Usually it’s fairly easy to see where you can make little adjustments to green your habits.  Here are a few samples to help you get started:

1. Bring your own bags when shopping.
2. Buy vintage clothing, furniture, electronics and other items. You can find vintage items on Ebay, Craigslist, garage and estate sales, thrift store and at vintage specialty stores.
3. Call your local garbage company to ask for a current list of items accepted in their recycle program. Post it on your refrigerator.
4. Carpool whenever you can and work from home when possible.
5. Compost food and other accepted items through your garbage company and start a compost bin at home.
6. Do all your shopping at one time instead of making many trips.
7. Drive your car for long as long as possible instead of replacing it every couple of years.
8. Keep your vehicle tuned up and in good condition so that it will last a long time, won’t cause air pollution, will consume less gas, and will need fewer repairs in the long run.
9. Make a list before grocery shopping that includes organic foods (when you can afford them), non-processed foods (foods without chemicals), and foods that use small amounts of packaging.
10. Pack a waste-free lunch from home for you mid-day meal.
11. Recycle batteries, paint, oil and other household hazardous waste (toxic materials) through your local garbage company if they offer programs. If they don’t, find a household hazardous waste facility in your area to properly get rid of them.
12. Remember to use cloth napkins and towels instead of items made from paper or plastic.
13. Save glass jars from items such jam, pickles, and marinara sauce to reuse as storage containers for food.
14. Save printer mistakes and use the flip side to make your own tablets.
15. Split large meals at restaurants when possible or order an item with the intention of eating the leftovers at home. Bring a container from home for leftovers instead of asking for a to-go box.
16. Shut off, swtich off, turn off whenever possible, for example shut off water, switch off lights, turn off electronics.
17. Use the internet to listen to music, watch movies, and to read books and magazines.
18. Avoid impulse purchases by waiting a day before buying non-essential and big-ticket items.

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These days there are literally thousands of actions you can take to be green. From the products you purchase at the store to the green habits you practice at home and at work, each day brings a new chance to live a green lifestyle.

Tips To Be Green

1. Reduce, reuse, and recycle. Before you buy something new, ask yourself if you really need it. You may already own a similar item that can be cleaned up, dressed up, or fixed up. If you must buy new, make sure it is made well, is designed to last a long time, doesn’t use a lot of packaging, contains no or fewer chemicals, and uses as little energy as possible.
2. Green Your Transportation. As always, the greenest forms of getting from point A to point B are walking, car pooling, biking, and public transpiration. But, if you need a new car, consider purchasing a hybrid. Not in your budget? Buy a conventional car that gets good gas mileage, or even better, tune up your old car.
3. Green Your Wardrobe. Revamp old clothes with a new look by taking them to a tailor or by altering them yourself. Turn long pants into capris or shorts, make a long sleeved tee into a sleeveless tee, or add accessories like buttons, belts, tassels and other types of trim to change the style. Donate unwanted clothing to friends, family or charitable organizations so it can be worn by someone else.
4. Plan Green Events. You can green up all your special celebrations, like birthdays, graduations, wedding and holidays. All you need to do is make choices that produce less trash and consume fewer natural resources, such as avoiding disposable plastic and paper products like paper plates and plastics cups and utensils. Instead, try for options such as using your own ceramic plates, silverware, and glasses. Or, rent party gear from a party store, borrow stuff from friends, or purchase items on-the-cheap from thrift stores or at garage sales.
5. Plant A Garden. Use a portion of your front or back yard to grow vegetables and herbs. If you don’t have a yard, grow vegetables and herbs in pots on your balcony, patio or in a sunny window. Not only is growing your own food good for the environment, but home-grown veggies taste delicious.
6. Use Less Water. Whenever possible, remember to use less water. For example, don’t over water your garden or lawn. Remember to turn off the water when brushing your teeth and don’t take overly long showers either. And, don’t leave the water running when when cleaning your bathroom and kitchen.

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Good Green Habits for Cards and Gifts

• Purchase a card made from recycled paper.
• Write a poem or note in a card you have made using scrap paper and/or parts of old cards.
• Give yummy organic chocolate.
• E-mail a card.
• Bake and package goodies in reusable/recyclable containers.
• Give a potted plant, flower, or tree that can be planted in spring.
• Purchase a gift that produces less waste, such as a movie/concert ticket or gift certificate.

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so you can flex your consumer eco muscle. 

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to environmental causes!

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1. Click on the GREEN WISDOM link at right.
2. Read the booklet.
3. Then, let us know what you think!

Note:  Janice Wells is the author of Green Wisdom and founder of goodgreenhabits.com.

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Good Green Habits for Honoring the Earth

• Do your best to practice green habits each day.
• Purchase fewer products and waste less.
• Buy quality products that have a long life.
• Encourage others to practice green habits.
• Don’t ever give up on people or the planet.

There are days when you just don’t want to make the extra effort. You want a plastic bottled water and you don’t want to feel guilty about buying it. Well, if somebody hasn’t already said this to you, allow us to be the first. It’s OK to have off eco days. When it comes to taking eco steps, big or small, the important thing is to do the best you can do─whatever that means to you. We’d rather help you stay on the green path sometimes than to have you give up completely.  That’s how much faith we have in you.

Good Green Habits for Eco Inspiration

Take one or all of these actions if you find you’re having a bad green day:

• Just do the best you can do today.
• Go greener tomorrow.
• Step outside and appreciate the Earth’s beauty─this will make you want to do more.
• Take baby-steps until you’re recharged─turn off the water when brushing your teeth, recycle newspapers─anything you do helps.