Let’s start with the basics. Everyone knows that it is in your best interest and the best interest of the planet to recycle everything you possibly can. Most cities in North America have already implemented curb side recycling programs and that is a wonderful thing to be sure. However, as fantastic as a recycling program is it is more important to learn how to reduce the amount of waste your household produces. Here are some easy suggestions.

* When you go shopping buy items with less packaging.  This goes for all types of packages.  I find, however, that children’s toys are the worst culprits.  If you have items in the house that you use in large quantities, say toilet paper for instance, buy in bulk.  There is a lot less packaging in a case of 20 rolls of paper than in individual packs or packs of four.
* Try to purchase items that have a high recycled content. They do tend to be a bit more expensive, but it is an expense that is worth while.  Look specifically for paper products made from recycled content.  Do you honestly need toilet paper made from first run trees?
* Buy reusable items instead of disposable.  Obviously paper plates and plastic cups make party clean up that much easier but think of the waste!  Buy rechargeable batteries and avoid disposable pens and razors.
* Reuse containers.  Glass and plastic jars can make great storage containers.  Always have extra pens lying around loose in that kitchen “thing drawer”?  Keep ‘em contained.  Are you a gardener?  Use those jars for planting seedlings before transfer to the earth.  Store left overs in a washed and reused jar.
*  Try using plastic or glass containers instead of zip lock bags.  If you can’t give up your zip lock infatuation, don’t think that they have to be single use only.  Zip lock bags can be used many, many times if they are properly washed and dried.
* Use cloth napkins and dishtowels instead of paper.  It will up your weekly laundry load, but you’re discouraging wasteful paper consumption.
* Bring your own takeout boxes when you go out to dinner.  Why take home a wasteful Styrofoam package when you could bring back your own washable Tupperware?
* Bring your own reusable cup or mug when you go out to get coffee.
* Invest in some canvas bags and bring them with you when you go grocery shopping.  If you forget your bags, make sure to bring the paper and plastic bags back to the store to be recycled.
* Reuse wrapping paper.  Better yet, use cloth bags or material to wrap your gifts.  Encourage the recipients of the gifts to reuse the wrapping material.
* Does your mailbox get flooded with useless junk?  Stop the madness.  Post a sign declining junk mail, contact the companies that keep sending you trash and have your name taken off the list.  Do you get too many catalogs?  The National Wildlife Federation has teamed up with the natural Resources Defense council to help reduce the number of unwanted catalogs sent through the mail (thereby reducing the amount of wasted paper as well as the fuel burned in the shipping process).  Register on line at Catalog Choice and end the madness.
* If your town or city doesn’t have curbside recycling, or even if it does but doesn’t accept things like cardboard, stake out a local recycling drop.  Many large stores and grocery markets have recycling drop off areas.  Collect recyclables for a week and make it a habit to bring the goods to a drop off center.
* A lot of household waste is compostable.  Start a compost pile in a remote corner of your yard.  Stores like Home Depot sell compost bins if you do not want to have it sitting out where bugs and pests can get to it.  Put food waste like leftovers, egg shells, banana peels and coffee grinds in the compost, aerate it by turning it over every week or so and use the nutrient rich compost you create to fertilize your garden or yard.
* Most companies have arranged partnerships with financial institutions.  Talk to your bank and register to pay your bills on line.  Not only do you reduce the amount of paper mail sent to your house (and therefore the amount of energy used in the transport) but you save on monthly postal expenses. Seriously, $0.41 extra per bill?

My next Go Green post will be about Cleaning Green.
Making the decision to Go Green is an easy one, but it is important to remember that this is not an all or nothing situation. Start with the basics. Pick the things you think you are more likely to do and stick to them. After you’ve become accustomed to your new life style, add other go green means. Every step you take should be one made with the thought of reducing your ecological footprint.