| Everyone wants to go green these days. Here are | | | | Did you know you can choose coffee that is |
| some easy ways that you can go green and maybe | | | | eco-friendly? Consider switching to a brand of coffee |
| save a little money at the same time. | | | | that is certified fair trade. Fair trade certified coffee |
| Water Bottles | | | | is grown in a sustainable manner but also pays a fair |
| Did you know that buying those cases of bottled | | | | price to the small farmers who grow and pick the |
| water is actually very environmentally unfriendly? In | | | | coffee beans. Can you help the environment just by |
| order to produce the billions of liters of bottled water | | | | switching coffee brands? Yes you can. |
| purchased each year, the bottled water industry | | | | Give It Away |
| must use a substantial amount of plastic, energy to | | | | Instead of throwing things away, like your old |
| make and process the bottles and then a huge | | | | computer, old TV set, beat up couch or outdated |
| amount of fossil fuels in order to get those cases of | | | | clothes and broken jewelry, consider giving it away |
| bottled water to the stores around the country. In | | | | first. Most local communities have a FreeCycle group |
| addition, chemicals are used in the processing of the | | | | where you can list items you are giving away and |
| water. All of this for a simple bottle of water that | | | | local people can come and pick them up. Craigslist and |
| probably isn't even as healthy for you as your tap | | | | the Virtual Dumpster are also good options for giving |
| water. So consider using a faucet or countertop | | | | things away. When you opt to give things away |
| water filter system and getting a good quality, | | | | before sending them to the garbage dump, you are |
| eco-friendly water bottle such as a Nalgene water | | | | giving the item a chance at a second life, thereby |
| bottle and then filling it up daily with your filtered tap | | | | you are recycling. Maybe your old clothes can be |
| water. You'll not only save a load of money, but you'll | | | | used by someone less fortunate, maybe your broken |
| also be helping the environment and your health. | | | | jewelry can be used for crafts, maybe your TV set |
| Support Local Farms | | | | can be fixed and used for a little while longer. By |
| Did you know that much of the produce in your | | | | giving things away, you not only get them out of |
| supermarket was trucked from hundreds or even | | | | your house, but you are eliminating the need for |
| thousands of miles away? The farther that your | | | | these items to go to the dump and for the people |
| food travels, the more energy it costs to get to you | | | | you are giving them to, you may be eliminating the |
| and the more chances of it being less fresh and of | | | | need for them to buy something new. It's a win-win |
| lower quality. Find out what farms are around you. Is | | | | all around. |
| there a dairy down the road that has a little store on | | | | For The Home |
| the farm? Does your neighbor have an orchard? | | | | There are many ways to green up your home. |
| Perhaps there is a local farmers market? Search out | | | | Consider replacing your old appliances with Energy |
| the local farmers in your community and buy from | | | | Star appliances. Also consider replacing your old water |
| them. Not only are you supporting your local farmers | | | | heater with a tankless water heater or a solar |
| but you are also making a better choice for the | | | | powered water heater. Or switch your antiquated |
| environment, especially when you choose organic | | | | heating system to one that uses geothermal heating |
| produce. | | | | or passive solar power heat. If you are considering |
| Grocery Bag It | | | | moving to another home, look for a home with green |
| When you go to the store, you are always sent | | | | features. If you're building a new home, go for green |
| home with either paper or plastic bags. You can save | | | | architecture. Why not live in a green house? You can |
| the energy it takes to produce those bags by | | | | talk with experienced green architects who can a |
| bringing your own bag. Many stores have grocery | | | | design a green house, that will save you significant |
| bags available to purchase and you'll often get a small | | | | costs over the long term, while creating a much |
| credit for using them. | | | | smaller ecological footprint. |
| Coffee | | | | |