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Green Your Life, Home and Beyond

Seven Easy Steps

By Lexie Van Haren

Going green may sometimes sound overwhelming and complicated, but it doesn't have to be. Any small change can help lessen your environmental impact or "footprint." It could mean changing your light bulbs or using electrical appliances during non-peak hours--making simple changes to your everyday routine. "To be the change you want to see in the world, you don't have to be loud. You don't have to have a corner office. You don't have to be elected. You can be that change wherever you are," says Tonya Ensign, founder of emagineGreen. Consider changing your ways and changing the environment your personal "eco-journey"--it can be easy, practical and fun!

Go Unplugged
Take it one step at a time and remember that every little bit does make a difference. For instance, unplugging electrical appliances in your home when they are not being used is one of the easiest ways to make a small difference and to save money. Wasted energy costs consumers more than $5.8 billion annually and sends more than 87 billion pounds of heat-trapping carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year. Just unplugging your lights, DVD player, television, computer and battery chargers can change your carbon footprint in a positive way. In fact, many people are using power strips to simplify the process. When you leave for work, turn the power strip off--this will prevent appliances from draining energy while you are away.

Turn it Down
Simply turning down your central heating or water heating setting by one to two degrees and checking your heating/cooling timer setting (after all, there is no point in heating/cooling your home while you're at work for eight hours) can save energy and money and lower your carbon footprint. It's all about lowering our energy consumption, which produces carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to global warming. These simple "offsetting" measures can play a vital role in combating climate change.

Invest in Plastic
Think about how many water bottles or sport drinks you purchase and throw away in a week. Instead, invest a few extra dollars in a quality reusable water bottle--you can make up that investment in no time. "We, as a company, have already kept 1.5 million one-time use water bottles out of landfills," says Ensign. You can purchase items made out of recycled, nontoxic, sustainable materials and reduce the amount of waste your family produces.

Just Bag It
Try purchasing reusable grocery bags. Only 1 to 3 percent of plastic bags get recycled and according to www.resuablebags.com, it takes four times more energy to make a paper bag than a plastic bag. Now more than ever, grocery stores are starting to carry reusable bags. You can even purchase them on the internet. Converting to reusable grocery bags is an easy step that will make you feel good.

Waste Not
Another great step is to pack a "waste free" lunch for yourself and your children. Every year, American school children throw away more than 65 pounds in waste. That's more than most children weigh! "There are great non-toxic lunch boxes available that are not only good for the environment, but safe for your family," says Ensign. If you're smart about what you use to pack their lunches, you can minimize waste in a huge way.

Slow Down
Reducing your speed can dramatically reduce fuel consumption. Slowing to 60 mph from 70 mph improves fuel efficiency by 17.2 percent. Easing off the gas pedal and doing 55 mph instead of 75 mph improves fuel efficiency by 30.6 percent. To make an even "greener" impact, carpool, or commute differently. An easy change would be to simply ride your bike or jog to the gym.

Compost
For the serious "green" lover, get your family involved through composting. There are urban composters available you can keep under the kitchen sink, designed specifically for city and suburban use. "My composter is invaluable in my kitchen and for my garden. The whole family has taken part," says Ensign. Make it a fun science project for the kids--they'll love it!

Going green is all about making simple, easy changes that you and your entire family can live with and feel good about. Once you're on your way to being a green role model for your family, friends and children, you'll rest easy knowing the legacy you're leaving behind.

Lexie Van Haren is a local greenCoach for emagineGreen, a Scottsdale based direct sales company focused on eco-friendly products and education.

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