Tip, Tricks, and Hints: Baby Steps to Making More Earth-Friendly Choices

Prius owners. You know the type: people who do what they do while carrying hemp bags, wearing organic cotton clothing and recycled rubber shoes. They wouldn't dare dream of buying anything that wasn't both Green and Fair Trade Certified tm . They couldn't fathom eating a single crumb of something not organic or supporting any industry that isn't militantly eco-friendly.

Well, hopefully, you've been reading this column long enough to know not a single one of the above statements describes everyone who strives to reduce their impact on the Earth. It matters that all of us do our part to be good stewards here.

In recent columns, I've gotten fairly microscopic in my efforts to indoctrinate you into my very light apple green shade of greener-mindedness. This month, however, I'm going for the macro, the broader scope of things you can do around your home and community to raise your level of environmental awareness, you know, without getting too crazy!

Green Design.com offers the following ideas:

1. Buy in Bulk. Not only will you save fuel by making fewer trips to the grocery, you will also consume less packaging material. Though you should watch out for multiple small items packaged together that masquerade as “bulk.' A recent poll of grocers revealed that bulk foods have increased in sales volumes about 10 percent over the past 12 months.

2. Heat [or cool] only the space you occupy. If you rarely use the guest bedroom

and guest bath, close the vents in the these rooms until just prior to arrival of your guests.

3. Use rechargeable batteries to keep dead batteries out of landfills [and save on replacement costs over time]. According to a study by Uniross, rechargeable batteries have 32 times less impact on the environment and use 1/23 rd the natural resources of their disposable brethren. Don't forget t recycle all spent batteries, too.

4. Install ceiling fans in every room. You can reduce the AC temperature, and the room will still feel cooler while the fan is running.

The blog, Go Green Tips for Moms suggests:

5. Getting a rain barrel to collect rainwater for use in the garden.

6. Dedicating some time monthly to picking up litter at a public area in your community.

7. Using only natural cleaning products around the house. There are no toxic chemicals for your family to breathe in and no strong scents filling up your house.

BeeHawk Go Green Tips blog recommends:

8. Shop at your local farmers' markets. Support your local economy, cut down on fuel usage to transport produce from out of the area.

9. Invest in a water filtration system and some good reusable bottles. Stop buying bottled water.

Green Daily.com says:

10. About 90% of the energy used by your washing machine goes to heat the water. For most loads of laundry, a cold wash will suffice. However, let's be honest, sometimes a cold water wash and rinse is not going to cut it.

Instead of trying to wash everything in cold water and becoming frustrated, shoot for a goal that is reasonable for you.... Maybe 80 % of laundry, or even 50%? It doesn't have to be all or none.

11. Stop purchasing magazines and save some green (and some trees) (aren't on-line mags, like Meridian , just the tops!?)

My personal favorites:

12. Don't forget to work on the consumption mindset. Do you have to shop, buy, consume, repeat…everyday, all day, all the time, or even much of it? I get the feeling some do, but must you? Or “Et tu, Brute?” as Shakespeare's Caesar would say. Be happy with what ya got sometimes. And don't forget to recycle what you decide to cast off. Lots of items we toss still have a great deal of use left in them. Someone can use them, even if you can't.

13. No more plastic bags…can I say that one again? Get used to taking your own. Nix the plastic bags. At the very least, reuse then recycle the silly things.

14. Search out book stores in your area that will buy and resell your old books, DVDs, videos, and CDs. You make some extra cash and the items get indefinite life. Support these businesses, too. They're usually small businesses that could use your patronage.

15. Take shorter showers over frequent baths, and save on water…just don't skimp on the soap!