Here are simple ways you can become Green

Use Reusable Shopping Bags

Switch from paper and plastic bags and bring your own reusable bags. Changing this simple habit will have the most direct impact on the environment.

The oil it takes to produce 14 plastic bags will power your car for a mile.

Using paper bags instead of plastic is NOT better. More than 20 million paper bags consume 27 million trees.

More information may be found at www.reusablebags.com.

Use Earth Friendly Cleaning Products

The EPA reports that air pollution indoors may sometimes be 2-5 times higher than outdoors. Try making your own cleaning products to cut down on exposure to chemicals and chemical fumes. Here two of the most useful “green” recipes for household and office cleaning supplies:

All Purpose Cleaner: 1/2 cup Borax (look in the laundry aisle) to 1 gallon hot water, mix in a pail or use smaller amounts in a spray bottle (1/8 cup Borax to 1 quart hot water). Dissolve the Borax completely and wipe surfaces clean. This also works with Arm & Hammer washing soda to 2 cups very hot water.

Glass Cleaner: 1/4 cup white vinegar or 1 teaspoon lemon juice to 2 cups water in a clean spray bottle. Wipe surfaces with newspaper. Soft Scrub: Mix liquid detergent to 1/2 cup baking soda until it’s the consistency of frosting. Use on sinks, showers and stainless steel.

Buy Seventh Generation or Green Works products.

Save Water

Turn off the water when brushing your teeth and you’ll save about 25 gallons of water per month. Limit your showers to 5 minutes. Implement xeriscaping, as 35% of our water is used for lawns.

Install low flow shower heads, toilets and faucets throughout your home. Only run your dishwasher when it’s full.

Calculate Your Carbon Footprint – Size Matters

What is it? How big is it? Flying, driving and tossing out garbage emit greenhouse gases. You can measure your household’s impact on the environment and learn how to reduce it.

Learn more at: www.carbonfootprint.com or www.begreennow.com

How big is your Carbon Footprint?

Recycle, Recycle, Recycle

This is by far the easiest way to make an impact on our environment. Look into your neighborhood recycling programs and buy recycled products whenever possible.

Conserve Energy

Turn down the temperature on your hot water heater to 120 degrees. Unplug your appliances or plug them into a “smart” power strip and turn it off when you’re away. Clean your furnace and change the filters, and consider having your home audited for energy use. Consult your local power company, as they usually do this for free. Park your car for one whole day a month.

Set your thermostat at 68 degrees or cooler in the winter and 78 degrees or warmer in the summer.

In Your Garden

Find a place in your garden to compost your trash. Compost helps keep weeds at bay and saves water. Water lawns early in the morning and mow late in the day.

Look for xeriscape plants. Avoid synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.

Have a good time being green…it’s good for you and your posterity! It is not as hard as you may think!