Go Green: Checklist to Make You More Environmentally Conscious

Happy Earth Day! Everywhere you turn you are probably seeing and hearing the following phrases: "go green," "eco-friendly" and "environmentally conscious." The push, especially for Americans, to reduce pollution and help save the environment is based on evidence that the decisions we have made, and continue to make, are damaging the air we breathe and the land we live on. Read these tips and tricks to help you get started in living a green lifestyle.

Save water by decreasing your shower time, or rather take a bath, which uses less water than a shower.

Get in the habit of brushing your teeth with the water off, and encourage your children to do so also.

• Recycle - junk mail, cell phones, paper products, plastic bags and more.
• Switch from paper and plastic bags to reusable bags and totes. Try Envirosax or Dogeared's neat styles.
• Forget the electric or gas dryer, and hang dry your clothing when you can.
• Opt for direct deposit, online banking and paperless statements to reduce your paper usage.
• Try your hand at composting (planting scraps from fruits, veggies and coffee grounds outside), which will help create better soil and less landfill waste.
• Don't purchase disposable water bottles, but rather use recyclable (and refillable) beverage containers that you can fill with filtered water.
• Unplug all of your appliances when you leave the house to save energy (and prevent a fire hazard).
• If possible, take public transportation, carpool, bike or walk.
• Don't use plastic storage containers, and definitely do not heat food within a plastic container in the microwave.
• Keep one set of dishes at the office, including: a cup, utensils, bowl and plate. This will prevent you from reaching for disposable utensils, cups and plates.
• Save stained or ill-fitting clothing to use for dusting and cleaning
• Use rechargeable batteries; Duracell now has a line of pre-charged rechargeable batteries!
• Purchase used items from thrift stores, garage sales, flea markets and more.
• Rent movies and borrow books, instead of purchasing. Netflix and Blockbuster make it easy by delivering the flicks right to your door.
• If you are in the market for a new car, purchase a hybrid model.
• Select products made of recyclable materials. Nahui Ollin, a handbag designer, has a created line of bags, made from recycled candy wrappers that are cute and affordable.
• Buy groceries in bulk, as it reduces packaging and the number of trips you take to the grocer. Purchase a membership to a wholesale club, such as Costco or BJ's.
• If possible, buy items that use less packaging.
• Purchase locally produced food at farmer's markets and even road-side stands.
• Purchase fresh fruits and vegetables, instead of jarred, canned, or frozen.
• Purchase organic foods, as they don't contain pesticides and harmful chemicals, in addition to organic cotton.
• Follow the celebrity trend and use cloth diapers, as opposed to disposable diapers, which cause landfill waste.
• Select soy or beeswax candles, instead of paraffin candles.
• Use healthy and environmentally friendly cosmetics, such as mineral-based cosmetics and natural bath products.