| Living green doesn't mean you have to wave | | | | from a Farmer's Market. You'll notice the difference in |
| goodbye to all the niceties and luxuries of modern life. | | | | taste. And if you buy just what you need (rather |
| In fact, once you start to investigate the advantages | | | | than the supersize pack your grocery store normally |
| of living a greener life, you may well discover all sorts | | | | sells) it probably won't cost much more. Plus you'll |
| of extra pleasures. Your taste buds will certainly | | | | save all those miles that the often tasteless food |
| notice and it's highly likely your wallet will as well. | | | | your grocery store stocks has been forced to travel. |
| There are plenty of things you can do which will help | | | | 4. Turn off unused appliances at the socket. Standby |
| you to live green without total sacrifice. Here are | | | | mode still uses lots of energy. Cut your fuel bills by |
| seven tips that are quick and easy for you to | | | | turning off televisions and other items when they're |
| implement. Most of them will barely change the way | | | | not in use. That includes your computer's monitor as |
| you operate but will help save the environment, | | | | well. Screensavers only stop the screen from getting |
| especially if you can gradually persuade your friends | | | | burned in images. Energy saving mode cuts power |
| to do the same things. | | | | usage but nowhere near as much as the on/off |
| 1. Re-use the bags you get every time you shop are | | | | switch does. |
| good for more than one trip. Re-use them or, better | | | | 5. Wash your clothes at a lower temperature. Modern |
| yet, buy a "bag for life" and use that. Collectively, we | | | | detergents work fine at lower temperatures. Or |
| use millions of plastic bags on a daily basis. Saving a | | | | throw away the detergent in favor of Eco washing |
| couple bags here and there may not seem to make | | | | balls, saving on the fossil fuels that are used for most |
| a difference, but as more and more people do this, | | | | modern detergents as well as cutting your washing |
| the savings will mount up. | | | | costs without compromising wash quality. |
| 2. Re-cycle as much as you can. You probably already | | | | 6. Turn down your thermostat in the winter (and turn |
| have a recycling collection service. If not, look out for | | | | it up in the summer if you use air-conditioning). One |
| recycling places local to you and drop off your | | | | or two degrees difference is barely noticeable, |
| newspapers, bottles, cans, etc next time you are | | | | except when the fuel bill arrives. When you get used |
| passing. Don't make a special trip though. For larger | | | | to the new, lower temperature, turn it down another |
| items, if they're still usable then look up Freecycle for | | | | degree or two! |
| your local area. They offer a great way to give | | | | 7. Compost waste if you have a garden, saving on |
| unwanted items a new, welcoming home. | | | | fertilizer cost and giving your plants a treatment |
| 3. Eat local produce. Especially if it's bought fresh | | | | they'll love. |