Photo courtesy of www.epa.gov
EPA’s cartoon kids depict how to live greener.

10 easy ways to live a green life

by LAUREN FULBRIGHT

In your busy life, saving the environment may seem like a daunting task. However, the little things you do can quickly add up. Here are 10 easy ways to live a greener life.

1) Buy used books:
Shopping in used bookstores is a fun and easy way to save trees. You’ll save money, and you can feel less guilty about that huge personal library you keep at home.

2) Use Dr. Bronner’s for everything:
Dr. Bronner’s really is “magic” soap. Not only is it biodegradable, but a little goes a very long way. You can use it as laundry detergent, shower gel, and even toothpaste.

3) Carry a reusable coffee cup:
If you have ever seen the trash outside of a Starbucks, you know that those little lattes add up to a lot of waste. Next time you are at the local coffee shop, try bringing your own cup. Think how many paper coffee cups you will save over the course of your lifetime!

4) Live a paperless life:
In our increasingly digital society, it is becoming a lot easier to do things on the computer. Cancel your paper statements, and try banking online. Not only will it be faster and more convenient for you, but you will save more trees.

5) Choose paper instead of plastic:
Paper bags are biodegradable and come from a renewable resource. Those innocuous looking plastic bags often cannot be recycled, and they do not biodegrade. So the next time someone asks you, choose paper - or better yet, bring your own bag when you shop.

6) Buy vintage clothes:
Wearing used clothing has become increasingly fashionable, with celebs like Winona Ryder sporting vintage duds at every turn, and shopping in vintage stores can be a lot OF fun. Grab a few friends, and spend an afternoon taking a trip back to the past - you’ll be surprised at what you discover.

7) Burn calories, not fossil fuels:
Walking is good exercise and good for the earth. Ride a bike or walk whenever possible, or use public transportation. It will save you gas money, and it may offer you a different view of the world.

8) Start a compost heap:
Composting is fun and easy, and it makes great fertilizer. Pick a spot in the backyard where you can pile biodegradable things like eggshells and banana peels. Pretty soon you’ll have the best-looking yard in town. But be sure to check local laws about compost regulations - they can be fire hazards if they’re too close to your home.

9) Buy green products:
In our consumer-driven society, your dollar is your vote. When you buy greener products, you tell companies that the environment matters to you, and therefore increase the probability that future products will be environmentally sound.

10) Start a recycling habit:
Recycling is remarkably easy, but too many people don’t do it. Take a few minutes to learn what can and cannot be recycled in your community, then make a conscious effort to recycle whenever you can. Pretty soon, recycling will become a routine.