by Melanie Grimes

Created on: March 06, 2008   Last Updated: January 24, 2011

Being green means being kind to the earth. You are kind to the earth when you tread lightly leave behind only a gentle imprint.The best rule of thumb is to simplify. Reduce consumption and increase reuse.

1. Reuse
The best recycle is reuse. Find ways to reuse containers, bags, plastic and paper. Reuse the back of paper your print when you are printing first drafts or other scrap paper uses.

2. Use recycled products
Replace paper products with recycled ones. If every American household replaced their facial tissue with one box of recycled facial tissues, it would save half a million trees.

3. Use energy efficient products
Use energy efficient light bulbs like compact fluorescents.
If every American home replaced just one light bulb with an ENERGY STAR qualified bulb, we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year, more than $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars.
Energy efficient appliances, such as washing machines, dishwashers, and toilets are now available.

4. Reduce your commute
Shop and work locally. Using gas to travel and that reduces your carbon footprint. Walk to a nearby restaurant for dinner. Support restaurants that purchase from local farmers, not from produce shipped from other states or flown in from far away countries.

5. Go toxin free
Use organic cleaners when possible. Non-toxic keeps toxins out of the water supply.

6. Save water
Conserve water. Water is expensive to purify. Again, the best recycle is reuse. Don't use it if you don't need it. Install high performance toilets that save water.

7. Reduce electric usage
Unplug appliances when not in use. Even the plug draws electricity.
Use energy saving appliances and save electricity by turning down the heat. Wear a sweater!

8. Buy green 
Support retailers who use sustainable and fair trade suppliers. Look for printing products that use soy ink.
Green clothes are now available from many sources. You will find recycled fibers, and sustainable fibers, items made from polyester, and from recycled plastic bottles as well as clothing made from bamboo. Buy clothes that are biodegradable.

9. Use biodegradable products
A special mention needs to be given to these two items that fill our landfills.
According to the Container Recycling Institute, 40 million water bottles end up in landfills daily, and they will NEVER biodegrade. Carry a bottle that you refill yourself, or look for bottled water sold in bottles that biodegrade in 80 days.

Every year, infants use over 500 million diapers worldwide. Disposable diapers fill our landfills and take up to 500 years to decompose. Biodegradable diapers are now available as well as good, old-fashioned cotton.
Reduce usage and utilize products that biodegrade.

10. Simplify
Simplify your life. Don't consume. Live a life of meaning, not of stuff.

Remember, the planet you save may be your own!

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