Cheap, Easy, and Significant Steps to Help You Go Green

St. Patrick's Day is right around the corner but instead of writing about the many activities that you can get into on the 17th, we figured we'd discuss the themes of St. Patty's from another angle. This post will be all about going "green", which as we all know is the main color of St. Patrick's Day.

Most people don't entertain the idea of going green because they think that it's too expensive, or too hard, or won't really matter. Nothing can be further from the truth. Going green isn't difficult nor is it pricey. And the fact is anything you do, no matter how small MATTERS A LOT.

Wondering just how easy, cheap, and significant going green can be? Consider the following:

Use Greener Products

Green products are everywhere now. You can have them in your kitchen, bathroom, or even your closet. Most of the of the products or appliances that we use every day have green alternatives.

For instance, if we're talking about appliances, be sure to look for the ones with the Energy Star stamp of approval. A joint project by the US Department of Energy and the US Environmental Protection Agency, Energy Star promotes energy-efficient products that aren't just great for the environment, but are money-saving as well. Energy Star products use up less energy which then equates to a happier Mother Earth and a fatter wallet.

Searching for cleaning products? Look for the ones recognized under the Design for Environment program, which commends companies that design products that are good for the environment. Another great thing about green cleaning products is that they tend to be safer than their not-so-green counterparts because they contain less chemicals and harmful materials.

If you're shopping around for office supplies and other materials, opt for the ones made from recycled materials, as these products take a lesser toll on the environments. Plus, they work just as well--maybe even better than their not-so-green counterparts!

Thinking of buying a new car? Consider hybrid or electric cars. The government is completely behind energy-efficient vehicles, so you'll most likely get some tax benefits by opting to get a greener car.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Want to save more money going green? Then simply adhere to the catchy phrase above. Make conscious choices to reduce, reuse, and recycle the products that you use, especially the ones that you utilize on a daily basis.

Don't consume more than you have to and do not throw away materials that are still reusable. If you're worried about clutter then donate reusable products to charity or take them to the recycling center--you might even get a few bucks out of it.

By doing so, you're not just saving money, you're saving the environment at the same time.

Do your research

Need more tips on living a greener lifestyle? Want to look up green products or substitutes? The resources below will help you out:

Tips for Going Green - Tips from USA.gov about living a greener lifestyle

Greener Products - Need to find out if a product is green or not? This product look up tool / directory will do the trick

Get the Facts on Going Green - The Green Resource Council busts the biggest myths about going green

AH&LA Green Resource Center Beginner to advanced green resources from the American Hotel and Lodging Association

Green Government Initiative - A resource page fro local governments about going green

Sunny ECC Going Green - The official site of Erie Community College’s green campus

Image credit: epSos.de on Flickr

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