Being green. It used to mean recycling bottles and paper. Today, every move we make affects the environment: what we eat, what we wear, and how we get from point A to point B everyday. Most people think going green means depriving yourself or investing in expensive green alternatives, but the truth is, it can take as little effort as paying attention to your habits and looking out for affordable green products. Here are 25 effortless ways to a greener lifestyle that won't break the bank.
1) Use energy-saving fluorescent bulbs: a 15W fluorescent light bulb produces the equivalent of a 60W regular bulb and has a life span of up to 8,000 hours. The cost is $5 at any Walgreens. A little heads-up, though: fluorescent light bulbs do not work on dimmers.
2) When in need of a cab, call the Green Cab Company. Their dispatcher will try to send you either a hybrid or a CNG--compressed natural gas--cab. If all of their "clean" cabs are busy, the closest regular cab will pick you up. Green Cab SF: (415) 626-4733.
3) Find a green dry cleaner that uses the carbon dioxide cleaning process. Ever wonder where that dry cleaning smell came from? Chemicals. Your usual dry cleaner uses PERC, a petroleum-based solvent known to be a neurotoxin and a hazardous air pollutant.
4) Recycle your electronics responsibly. Cell phone, TV, printer, or even batteries all contain highly toxic materials such as mercury or lead which, when not recycled properly, is burned and released in our environment contaminating our water and air.
5) Bring your reusable bag when grocery shopping. Be careful not to buy polyethylene, as it is recyclable but non-biodegradable. Your local Trader Joe's sells paper shopping bags starting at $0.99.
6) Switch to natural cleaners around the house. We've associated the smell of bleach with cleanliness, when in fact it's hazardous to our health. Natural cleaners such as lemon and water will clean just as well as bleach and keep you healthy. Ditch the bleach for baking soda and dilute vinegar with water to replace your all-purpose cleaner.
7) When you must buy new clothes choose from a wide range of natural fabrics such as organic cotton, wool/cashmere, silk, hemp, bamboo or even recycled plastic. Many popular stores (H&M, Gap, American Apparel) now carry organic cotton.
8) Get the Green zebra coupon book, a guide to local savings in green businesses. The guide costs $25 but will give you coupons to use all over town, from restaurants to yoga classes, the guide will help you get healthy, organic and moving around the city. Check it out at www.thegreenzebra.org
9) Wash full loads of clothes with cold water. Using cold water once a week will reduce your carbon footprint by 270 pounds a year.
10) Air-dry your clothes when not in a hurry. Not willing to part with your dryer? Invest in some dryer balls (about $10 for two) or use plain tennis balls, which will help dry your clothes faster. Plus, they'll work in place of your fabric softener, which is known to contain toxic solvents.
11) Calculate your carbon footprint. www.terrapass.com
12) Still love that sweater you've had since junior high but definitely cannot/should not wear it anymore? Try recycling it into something useful or pretty like a stuffed toy, a pillow cover or a sweater for your pet. For photos and ideas, log on to www.ecosalon.com/category/fashion
13) Cut down on your grocery shopping. A person wastes about 130 pounds of food each year. Buying less products but more frequently can be a big money saver.
14) Learn how to compost. Collect your "green waste" like food waste and plant residues in a compost bin. The whole point of composting is to bring back the nutrients to the soil instead of wasting it in landfills. Visit www.howtocompost.org to become a skilled composter.
15) Buy a plastic or stainless steel bottle and let it become your best friend. Americans use more plastic bottles every year but recycle fewer. In 2005, out of the 30 billion bottles of water consumed, only 12% were recycled.
16) Limit your usage of paper towels. They produce 3000 tons of waste each day and are not easily recyclable. Look for recycled paper towels instead or washable, re-usable cloths.
17) Eat organic (no pesticides) and local (less fuel used to transport). Target specific products if it becomes too costly.
18) Unplug your electronics after use, especially if you're going on a trip. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 75% of all the electricity consumed is standby power used to keep electronics running.
19) Sign up for electronic bills. Your bank, wireless provider and other credit cards will keep your records electronically for years. It saves space and paper!
20) Download iPhone applications that will help you stay green and save money. Try free apps like Go Green for tips or iRecycle to find recycling locations near you. And for the ladies, Gorgeously Green Survival Guide will give help you become the perfect girly, eco shopper for only $0.99.
21) Invest in natural skincare and makeup by spending more on fewer products. The FDA does not regulate the term "natural," so look for products free of fragrance, sulfates and phthalates. Sephora offers a wide variety of eco products and brands and you can also shop online for discounts. Visit the natural and organic section at www.sephora.com
22) Educate yourself. In his book "Cradle to Cradle," William McDonough introduces the idea that in nature, waste equals food. This notion of "eco-effectiveness" can both improve the quality of life and make for profitable business. The book is also made out of recycled plastic and "This is not a tree" is printed at the top of each page as a reminder.
23) Travel by train, you'll see more of the country. While flying is convenient and fast, it's definitely not the greenest way to travel.
24) Give back by purchasing a pair of shoes. For every pair of shoes sold, TOMS gives a pair away to a child in need. Choose from a wide selection of styles starting at $40 at local shoe stores or online at www.tomsshoes.com. So start splurging for a good cause!
25) Need a new computer? The new MacBooks are the greenest computers on the market: from its non-toxic and recyclable materials to the extra long lasting battery, it'll benefit the environment and yourself.