Let's Go Green!

Hi all,
Recently there has been much buzz about "going green" and saving the planet, etc. So I've been doing some research on what simple things we all can really do! Most of it is free or very cheap, too.

• Use 1 less paper napkin per day - if every adult in the US did this, it would save 1 BILLION pounds of paper waste per year!
• Reuse your aluminum foil and plastic bags.
• Take shorter showers - just 1 minute less per day makes a big difference.
  
• Wash clothes in cold water instead of hot or warm - saves water and electricity!
• Recycle - in Austin this is especially easy... we have curbside pick-up, multiple recycling centers and many grocery stores that have recycling stations.
• Donate at www.americanforests.org - every dollar you donate plants 1 tree! Donate 10 bucks = plant 10 trees!!!
• Join www.greendimes.com - for $20/year, you can stop all junk mail, plant 10 trees and save tons of trees!
• Use a reusable bag (like cloth bag) for grocery shopping instead of paper or plastic - this one is easy, I do it all the time!
• Don't take receipts at the ATM machine or gas pump - if everyone in the US did that for 1 year, it would save enough paper to go around the earth's equator 15 times!!
• Use low energy compact florescent bulbs whenever possible... save the planet and your wallet!
• Unplug small appliances when not in use (like toasters, blenders, coffee machines, etc.).

There are so many other simple things you can do. It doesn't matter what you do as long as you do something! It is a new year and a great time to start a new good habit. Remember, we just have 1 earth... the same one we will leave to our children... leave them something good!
-- Shaili