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