How to "Go Green" for Beginners

It is easy to be a "Green" supporter with all the organice foods, products and services available. As people realize that our planet is crying for help, the need to make "green" choices and changes in our lifestyles is essential. Here's a simple start for those beginning to follow the organic revolution ...

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Buy organic foods. Purchasing organic or local grown fruits and vegetables helps to support local farmers but is also a healthier choice for you and your family. Products like tomatoes, apples and berries are often high in pesticides and other chemicals and should always be purchased organic. Same with most dairy.
   ** Next year maybe try to grow your own vegetable garden!!
2. Recycle Recycle Recycle! Almost EVERYTHING is recycleable and it's easy to do, so there are no excuses. Find out about your town's recycle program, look into Websites like greendisk.com which takes back old CDs and find out which local stores will trade in old items when you purchase new ones. For example, you can recycle old computers and cell phones, which are high landfill items and should be put to good use if possible.
3. The idea of RE-USE is just as important as recycling. Cut back on waste by limiting one-time use items like plastic water bottles, daily take-out coffee cups and plastic grocery bags. Buy reusable containers or cloth bags. Also use websites like freecycle.org, where people can trade and donate just about anything. Someone will make good use of your old items and you can help cut back on the waste of our planet's resources.
4. Buy organic products if possible. Some organic items are expensive, like clothing (organic cotton or denim), but some organic products are very reasonable and a much smarter alternative. Use recycled paper for example, it will save trees and help reduce pollution. Or organic cleaning products, they are non-toxic, chemical-free choices that are better for you, the air and leave no residues behind.
5. Homes are going green too with energy efficient household appliances, recycled building materials and different energy sources. Items like energy efficient light bulbs will not only save energy, but they last longer than normal lightbulbs and will reduce your electric bill. Bamboo flooring is a less expensive alternative to wooden floors and it looks just as nice and is a quickly growing resource, so it's safe for the environment.
6. Remember that you don't have to go all or nothing, just being aware and making changes on a daily basis is an important step. Don't leave the water running if you aren't using it, turn off lights when you aren't in the room and unplug energy-sucking computers and televisions if they aren't in use. Even just turning the heat down a few degrees in the winter and the air conditioning up a few degrees in the summer will decrease waste and lower your electric/gas bills. Do what you can each day, and feel good about it.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that although some organic products are more expensive (for example berries, coffee and chocolate), they are of better quality with no bad chemicals or pesticides. That little bit extra might be worth it since it will be better for you and your family.