BUY REFURBISHED: Refurbished electronics are cheaper than originals and much better for the environment because the fixed electrical problems eliminate unneeded waste.

LONGETIVITY IS KEY: Buy items to last, not throw-aways. This will cut down wasted materials to create replacements and landfills.

LOOK AT PACKAGING: Buy items that are packaged with fewer items or in bulk. For example, tea bags are loose tealeaves inside filters, individually wrapped in paper or plastic, contained in a box, which is also wrapped in plastic. A green alternative? Buy loose tealeaves in a metal tin with no cellophane wrapping and use a re-usable metal strainer for your tea.

E=MC^2: It was Mom's favorite phrase, "turn off the lights!" and she was right. Even when electronics are not on, they are still sucking electricity from the sockets. Keep chargers plugged into a surge protector and when not in use, turn the entire strip off. Also, buy ENERGY STAR appliances and electronics. And don't forget to change to CFLs.
REUSE IT ALL: Looking for a replacement? Buy used! A gently used item is usually better than buying a new one, and cheaper too. Need to get rid of something? Donate it to St. Vincent's or sell it on craigslist, there is always someone that would be grateful to use your old product. Check out Habitat for Humanity's ReStore. Located in Oakland and Santa Rosa, they offer slightly used or demo items for sale to use in your remodel.

TIGHTEN UP: Keep your home insulated. Check that your water heater is kept warm by wrapping a special blanket around it so heat isn't wasted. Check that doors and windows are properly sealed to keep warm air in and cold air out. Sealants and caulking are cheap and easy fixes to these simple problems.

WATER CONTROL: It's more than using a low-flow shower head or sink aerator. When running a load in the washer or dishwasher, make sure the load is full to cut down on wasted water.

DECORATING GREEN: Use non-VOC paints to cut down on chemicals. Reupholster old furniture. Stick to natural materials (cotton, hemp, bamboo) opposed to man-made materials (nylon, polyester, plastic). Shop locally, local products mean less energy to get them to your house.

BEDROOM:
- Invest in a good set or two of sheets made of 100% cotton. Cotton is a breathable, renewable, and natural fabric opposed to other popular bedroom linens like polyester.
- Bundle up. Wool blankets, another natural fiber, is known for its warming abilities and is also fire-retardant. And although pricy, a down comforter can provide amazing warmth while lasting a lifetime. Keeping a warm bed will mean less energy to keep a warm home.
- Hot rooms can be a pain but air conditioning is horrible for the environment. Instead, try using a ceiling fan or window fan. With the Bay Area's cool nights, a window fan on at night can cool a room down while closing the window during the day will keep the heat out.

BATHROOM:
- Use a low-flow showerhead and toilet.
- Look for bamboo. Bamboo waste cans, toothbrush holders, etc. can look amazing and are an environmentally friendly alternative to plastics.
- Look for a natural fiber shower curtain like organic cotton or super sturdy hemp. These are much better than vinyl curtains which are loaded with PVC.

KITCHEN:
- Use biodegradable utensils and food storage that can be thrown into your composting bin instead of ending up in a landfill.
- Again, bamboo products are an amazing addition to the kitchen.
- Don't use plastic bags but instead plastic containers that are washable and reusable. If you must use plastic bags, wash and reuse.
- Buy ENERGY STAR appliances when possible.