Inexpensive Ways to Green Your Life

Changing a lifestyle can seem overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. Here are some tips for living a cleaner, more planet-friendly life, and you don't have to spend a fortune to do it!

--Buy a water filter pitcher. Americans use thousands of water bottles every hour, and only 1 in 5 are recycled! You can get a reusable water bottle to take with you and you'll still have your bottled water--but without all of the bottles! I like the SIGG Kids Bottle. It holds 0.6 liters of bottle (a normal water bottle holds 0.5), but more importantly, it's 100% recyclable (after you use it for a LONG TIME), practically indestructible, easy to clean, and doesn't leach any harmful chemicals. The liner resists bacteria also. For about $30 total, you can have a system that not only saves you money, but helps save the planet!

--CHANGE YOUR LIGHT BULB(s)! If you can change at least one light bulb in your home to a compact fluorescent bulb, you can make a difference. They use about 65% less energy than a regular incandescent bulb AND last 10-20 times longer! Not to mention, you actually SAVE more than $20 per year on each light source you change.

--Practice turning things off! Make sure your lights are off when you don't need them. Make sure you aren't running water unnecessarily, and watch the thermostat. If there is a great breeze outside, open the window! If you can add a layer or two in the winter, turn your thermostat off. This takes practice if you aren't used to it, but you can do it.

--Switch to recyclable napkins and practice using less. This is a practical solution that everyone can do.

I'll post more easy solutions in future posts, but remember the golden rule--Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!!