make up 23% of the U.S. solid waste stream, according to National Geographic‘s Green Guide.
You can add some green to your landscaping with a new garden. Grow your own organic vegetables and fruit but be sure to use chemical-free seeds. Try Seeds of Change, (www.seedsofchange.com), or The Natural Gardening Co., (www.naturalgardening.com), for truly organic seeds.
Carpool with co-workers, take public transportation, ride a bike or even walk. If having a car is an absolute must, look into buying a hybrid vehicle. Hybrid vehicles reduce gas emissions and improve mileage, a definite plus with record-breaking gas prices. For more information, visit the Union of Concerned Scientists’ hybrid information center at www.hybridcenter.org.
Although not a new idea, recycling is still one of the easiest ways to go green. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, only one curbside recycling program existed in the United States 20 years ago, and by 2006, 8,660 programs were in place. And certainly don’t overlook those water bottles: Purchase a reusable water bottle such as those available at www.mysigg.com.
According to the EPA, more than 380 billion plastic bags, wraps, and sacks are used in the U.S. each year. In supermarkets the question is changing from “paper or plastic?” to “Do you have a canvas bag?” Reusable, eco-friendly bags are spotted much more commonly in grocery stores around the country. What’s more, if you’re a small business owner, consider buying custom canvas bags for your customers to reuse. Check out Websites such as www.ecobags.com and www.bagsontherun.com.