Talking About Green

Going green is no longer a movement for liberals and students at Berkeley.  Thankfully, being environmentally conscious has gone mainstream to the benefit of humans and Mother Earth alike.  If you are looking for ways to go green, take advantage of these ideas that make it easy to be eco-friendly.

Easy Recycling

Recycling is, hands down, the easiest way you can contribute to minimizing the landfill on earth.  Simply take three trash cans or bags and label them “Aluminum,” “Plastic,” and “Glass.”  If you are feeling ambitious, add a fourth bag for paper and cardboard.

By recycling these types of recyclable items, you’re already on your way to going green!  You can properly dispose of these items at your local recycling center. Most places offer you small monetary compensation in return for beverage containers.

Use reusable bags

Plastic bags are a major contributor to environmental issues, ranging from their inability to breakdown in landfills to their role in suffocating marine life.  There are many good reasons why cities like San Francisco and Maui have banned plastic bags!

Instead of answering the question, “paper or plastic?” the next time you are at the grocery, choose neither!  Bring your own reusable bag, which are typically either a canvas material or a 100% non-woven polypropylene material.

You can wash these bags over and over again, and the best part is that many grocery stores will give you a $.05 bag credit – which over the long term pays for the reusable bag itself.

Bring your own gear

Use your own coffee cup when purchasing coffee at a coffee shop, instead of using their plastic containers. Bring your own reusable utensils instead of the plastic disposable utensils. Purchase an aluminum water bottle instead of constantly using the plastic ones in big 24 packs that would later need to be recycled.

By using your own gear, you are potentially saving Mother Earth – and your pocketbook too!

Fine tune the art of reusing

Along with recycling and reducing comes the third R: reusing!  With a little creativity, many throwaway items can enjoy a new life in your home.  For example, instead of throwing out those glass jelly jars, reuse them as storage containers – and never buy another piece of Tupperware again.  The ideas for repurposing are endless, and if you need a little inspiration, simply Google “repurposing ideas” or “upcycling ideas” to find a bevy of ways you can reuse.

Consider alternative types of transportation

Automobiles burn fossil fuels when the engine is running, and carbon dioxide is released every time a fossil fuel burns. Using public transportation will decrease the amount of pollution created from cars, as well as minimize our country’s reliance of fossil fuels.

By carpooling, using public transportation, walking or even riding your bike, you can heavily decrease the amount of carbon dioxide that is released. Simultaneously, you will save on gas costs, and if you eliminate your automobile all together, you save thousands every year by not having to buy car insurance, gas, oil changes, car washes, and tune ups.

There are so many ways to recycle and go green, and usually, you are saving money and Mother Earth at the same time!

Tasha is an experienced Houston real estate marketing professional. Feel free to visit VIP Realty- Clientside Houston condos page to view hot new listings.