Ways to Go Green As a Family

One of the excuses that many people use for not going green is that it takes too much time. Who has time these days to recycle and reuse and grow their own garden? Well, you can find many ways to go green made easy when you do it as a family. Children of all ages can participate in going green at home in simple ways. If you start teaching them when they are young, they will be more likely to carry it forth into their adult years.

So, the key to going green as a family is to make it fun and to focus on activities that will let you have a good time together. Kids love having the attention of their parents and when you are teaching then how they can go green in their lives they will love the conversation that goes with it.

Here are some great ways that you can go green as a family:

Go Hiking

Take the kids on a nature hike. It is a great time to have some conversation about the animals that live in your area and their needs and safety. Talk about how you can make their homes better to live in by taking care of the environment. You can talk about the cleaning products you use and the chemicals that go into landfills. Even better, bring along a garbage bag and some gloves and let them help clean up the hiking trail. You'll be amazed to see how much garbage people pick up. Then you can take the recyclables to the recycling center when your hike is over.

Gardening

The younger kids are when you start them the more fun they get out of gardening. When you go green with a garden you have many opportunities to give each child attention and to help educate them. They can pick their own vegetables to be responsible for, weed their area, and fertilize it (with mulch from the compost!). Kids can feel like they are contributing towards the health of the Earth and they can learn and enjoy spending time with you.

Recycling

While it is obvious that recycling should be part of your efforts to go green at home, some people forget how much children can enjoy this activity. Think about the fun that they can have jumping up and down on cardboard boxes and plastic containers so that they will fit better into the recycling containers! They love this kind of thing and you can even make a game out of it.

What are some other easy ways to go green that you might get your kids to help with? What alternatives to going green would you recommend?

Going Green With Your Energy For The Future

Switching to green sounds onerous, but it's easier than you think. You can help protect the environment will any change you make, large or small. In the following paragraphs, you'll find tips that will help you switch to sources of green energy.

Cease bottle water usage. Bottled water usually is just filtered tap water, and a lot of energy is used in the bottling process. Buy a metal water bottle and a filter if you don't like tap water.

A programmable thermostat will help your green energy effort in your home. You can program them so your heating and cooling are minimized when you are sleeping or not at home. The newer devices permit programs to be used so you can start and stop power at various times throughout the day.

Upgrade your home's electronics and appliances to save yourself some cash in the future. Green technologies cost a little more initially, but you will save money on your utility bills, making them a wise investment. It also has the long-term benefit of saving the planet.

When buying wood, think about buying bamboo. Bamboo is a very green product and is technically a grass, but it is stronger than many commercially available woods. Many items are now available in bamboo. Try bamboo in your flooring, utensils, or cutting surfaces instead of traditional woods. This can save energy in the manufacturing process, as well as saving in recycling costs later.

Are you lucky enough to own a farm? If you own a farm, consider installing an energy turbine on your property, or renting land to a utility company for that purpose. You and the neighbors can relish in the free energy and installation, if it doesn't require too much space.

Switch to water heating systems that use solar power to heat hot tubs, pools and indoor water. Using electricity or gas to heat water is not terribly efficient, but water heaters that use solar power maintain water temperatures using only the sun's rays by way of solar panels. Many of these improvements will cost you a bit up front, but the cost savings and tax deductions will usually more than offset that cost.

Don't use a lot of heat during the winter if it's not absolutely necessary. If you feel cold, put on a sweater or blanket instead. Having your heat turned up too high will consume a great deal of unnecessary energy.

Rather than using standard batteries to power your devices, you should try to utilize rechargeable batteries. Traditional batteries often get thrown into the regular garbage, which ends up polluting our environment. Rechargeable batteries are good for the environment and your wallet. You may save hundreds of dollars if you use rechargeable batteries.

Thawing frozen food in your fridge is another good energy saver. This can thaw food safely and reduce energy consumption for the refrigerator.

Try drying your laundry outside in the sun whenever possible, rather than using a dryer. The smell of clothes dried in the fresh air cannot be topped. They will feel and smell fresher than machine-dried clothes. You will also save money on utility bills by doing this.

You can heat your home using biofuels. This type of fuel is usually made with a combination of animal fat, vegetable oil and wood. You can find a professional to change your furnace if it is propane so that it can heat with the blend of fuels. This could be anywhere up to 99% of biodiesel. Schedule a consultation with a professional prior to making the switch to biofuels in your home.

Find someone who is qualified to work with. Gain as much knowledge about these systems before you decide to buy them. Think twice about buying from shady salespeople who try to push something on you without providing evidence that it is actually effective.

If you are a business owner, you are certainly aware of how much electricity costs can eat into your profits. Think about solar panels for the business and use this for a marketing strategy. Many people enjoy charities and programs that invest in sustainable, green technology. The extra money you make from attracting new customers can pay for the cost of solar panels, while you save additional money in the form of lower electric bills.

Get rid of your old tank-style water heater, and replace it with a modern tankless model. Although tankless heaters require electricity or gas to heat water, they only do this on the amount you need as opposed to storing it in a large tank that is kept hot all the time. You can find tankless heaters that either supply an entire house, or just a single faucet.

Use a laptop computer instead of desktop, which uses much more energy. This can cut up to 75% of your electrical use, especially if you are frequently on the Internet or using word processing software. Another benefit of the laptop is that it's portable, so it can be used anywhere.

Weatherize your home, and it will become more energy-efficient. Weatherization involves retrofitting the heating and cooling systems for energy efficiency, upgrading the insulation, sealing ducts, and installing energy-efficient windows. All of these things make your home more energy efficient. You will also enjoy a decreased energy bill.

Consider solar water heaters to make your home more energy efficient. This works best in areas where the temperature doesn't drop below freezing. Solar energy systems circulate water through solar heaters and then pump it into the house. Though you can use this system, it's best to have a regular water heater for backup purposes, just in case there is a day with little sunlight or more water usage than normal.

Going green can be very simple. As seen in this article, there are a lot of simple ways in order to live your life greener. Remember to use what you learned in this article. Although going green may not take much effort, it can result in a lot of benefits to you.

Read my article about Buy Solar Cells.

Tips for Going Green in Everyday Life

When people think about going green, they think that it is difficult and that they do not have either the time or the money to be green. But this is further from the truth than you may think. If this sounds like you, keep reading for ideas to help you be environmentally friendly without spending a lot of money or time.
Use CFL Bulbs - An easy change is to swap out your existing light bulbs for CFL bulbs. But, there is no reason you need to do this right now if your current bulbs are still working. But as they burn out, you can change them to CFL's. There are a variety of different types available now so that you can get the type of light you want. This type of bulb has come down in price so that are fairly affordable and if you watch prices, you can likely find them on sale.
Have Recycling Bins - Having recycling bins set up around your house or your workplace will make it easier for you to actual recycle. You might want a paper bin by the front door to throw flyers and newspapers into if you get a lot of mail you do not look at or a box in the kitchen for tin cans or drink bottles.
Giveaway - If you have items that you no longer need but are still in good condition, give them away or sell them. If you are not sure where to get rid of them, look for free cycle groups or list them on the local classifieds. If you do not want the bother, there is a good chance you can find local charities that will take these off your hands.
Recycle Electronics - With more and more electronic devices out there, many programs have been established to deal with electronics past their prime. Check with your phone company if you have a cell phone you no longer use; the office supply store to deal with printer cartridges; and see if the local recycling depots can do something with the computers and televisions. It is also a good idea to check your city's website as they likely list places where you can recycle a wide variety of items including these electronics.
So many things can be recycled in today's world but you may have to look around and see how to deal with it. Ask at stores that carry the product if they have some sort of recycling program. You will be surprised what you can turn in!

If you're looking for ways to go green made easy you'll be glad to know that there are many options available to you. You can even go green on vacation without much of a problem!

Why Going Green Helps to Reduce Energy Bills

Consumers can easily observe the gradual rise of energy costs which happens continuously throughout the world. If the energy prices of the past decade are compared with today's, the change in price is simply incredible. However, the advancements in technology has found many alternative ways to help reduce energy costs and produce a more eco friendly electric generator. So far, green technology is the best solution for this problem. Going green is a popular option for people who are concerned with energy reduction and taking better care of the environment. It is also commercially advertised by different organizations along with the government itself. Basically, green technology can cut down on energy bills through power usage efficiency (PUE) and renewable fuels.

An electric car is the greener version of an oil fueled car. This car eliminates the use of gasoline and diesel as its source of fuel. Since electricity can be made through the help of naturally occurring energies such as wind and water, using it as a fuel would be more practical and cost efficient. With its power usage efficiency, the car won't consume huge amounts of electricity but most importantly, having to pay for expensive gasoline can be avoided.

The thing with gasoline is that its price isn't about to go down any time soon. Expect that in the coming years, the price of diesel and gasoline will continue to rise as supply gets lower. However, electric cars are not yet accepted by the public. They are very used to driving their cars and that's why they see electric cars as a bothersome option. If the public only knew how buying electric cars can be much more cost efficient in the long run, everyone would probably own an electric car by now.

Solar panels, wind turbines and water turbines are today's most practical energy producing machines. They can provide homes with the energy they need without using commercially produced electricity. Households would be able to produce their own electricity by using the electrical & mechanical energy they receive from solar, wind and water energies. These mechanical energies are then converted into electricity using certain mechanics. What's even better is that most homes can install any of these machines in their backyard. This can really lower the costs of energy bills and they can even act as a battery replacement or an electric generator when electricity is cut off for some reason.

The entire world will sooner or later have to rely on green technologies. The benefits people can get from it will greatly help the world become a greener and more energy efficient place. Green technology is one way for people to adapt to the worsening energy crisis around the globe. It is simply the best and most efficient way to lower energy costs and increase the power usage efficiency of every establishment. Once everyone decides to use this better option, the price of different services and products will also go down along with energy bills.

http://www.energy-maintenance.com/ (EMC) are an energy efficiency based engineering organisation that operate in 6 interconnected fields. We endeavor to offer the most cost effective energy efficient solution that enables the lowest possible operating cost with every system we offer. EMC are a leading independent specialist provider of critical power, power quality and power management solutions, including:

- Eco data centres
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- Power Quality Analysis and Improvement
- Metering and monitoring systems
EMC engineers have over 150 years combined experience in the specialist areas of our business. We use these skills to provide the best technical and most commercially viable solutions available from a range of leading manufacturers.

The Advantages of Solar Energy - Why Going Green Is Not Only About Protecting the Environment

There is no doubt that reduced pollution is one of the greatest advantages of using solar panels. You do not need to be a fervent ecologist to realize the severity of the environmental problems that affect out world today. The fuel crisis, the pollution, climate changes, all these issues affect us one way or the other. There is no point in denying either their importance, or our responsibility in triggering and maintaining them.

But the advantages do not limit to environmental effects, although they are incredibly relevant. There are many other benefits of using solar energy that refer to costs, maintenance or energy independence. Whether you are interested in this energy source because of a profound environmental concern, or you are more attracted to the idea of low-cost energy and money saving, going solar can prove to be a remarkably smart idea.

Below you will find a comprehensive list containing the most relevant reasons why using solar energy is beneficial, so you can have a more complex image of the reason that makes it a viable and attractive alternative to fossil fuel energy. With a wider perspective than before, you might be able to make a wiser and more informed decision.

1. Protecting the environment

We start the list of advantages with the most prominent one, the environmental benefit. There is no secret in the fact that overexploitation of the Earth's non-renewable resources will eventually lead to their paucity, to higher costs and extreme pollution. We cannot rely forever on fossil fuels to create energy, because this resource will eventually disappear. On top of that, continuing to burn fossil fuels will lead to even more pollution than today, and this will affect the climate and people's health. Turning to a clean, safe, healthy and renewable source or energy becomes imperative.

a) Solar energy is renewable

One of the first advantages is the fact that it is a renewable source of energy that we can count on for billions of years from now. The sun will keep shining. Using its power will not diminish it, like in the case of fossil fuels. When the Earth will not be able to count on fossil fuels for energy, the Sun will still provide enough power for the whole world.

b) Solar energy is clean

Unlike fossil fuels, it is not polluting. No gas emissions, no unpleasant smells, no smoke - it is totally clean. Considering the growing problem of the greenhouse effect and the climate changes it triggers, finding cleaner sources of energy is the best way to protect the environment and reduce the negative effects fossil fuel energy has on the atmosphere. Choosing solar energy over non-renewable energy means more than simply protecting the environment. It means protecting ourselves and the generations to come. Fighting for a healthy, safe world implies stopping climate changes, global warming and air pollution.

2. Low costs

Certainly, solar energy is environmentally friendly. But, as we already mentioned, the advantages do not end there. Probably the most appealing advantage of all is the low cost. Several factors contribute to this conclusion:

a) Solar energy is free

Once you install a solar system, you can enjoy free energy as long as the Sun is up in the sky. It's for everybody, you don't have to pay for it. You can just enjoy its benefits. While fossil fuel energy is brought to you by different energy suppliers you have to pay serious money to, the sun's energy is there for free.

Yes, the cost of installing such technologies can prove to be a substantial investment, but in time, you will save a lot of money on energy. If you think long-term, the benefits are considerable.

Fossil fuel energy is expensive, and you can see that on your monthly bills. It seems like every year energy prices increase and you have to pay more on the bills. It is obviously not convenient to continue like this. The cost efficiency balance of fossil fuel energy starts to lose its equilibrium in favor of the costs. Until when will you be able to continue paying expensive bills?

Looking at it this way, abandoning fossil fuel energy in favor of a low-cost type of energy is common sense. Relying on solar energy, which is free, will lower electricity bills to an affordable level. In case you choose to produce all the energy your house needs using the power of the sun, you will save serious money on bills.

b) Governmental incentives

Another one of the economic benefits of solar energy is provided by the government. You can save money by using various financial incentives. Tax incentives, various credits and rebates encourage people to go green. Learn about the incentives available in your state, and the costs of installing solar panel systems will substantially lower.

c) Low maintenance costs

The maintenance of a solar system is easy and cheap. After the initial investment in installing the solar system, the chances of spending money on it will be quite limited.

d) Fast recuperation of the initial investment

After you install the solar energy system, you will recuperate your investment in a few years, and you will be able to enjoy its benefits sooner than you thought. When it comes to the long-term advantages of solar power, cost efficiency clearly differentiates this energy source from the rest.

e) Net metering

In case your system produces more energy than you need, you can sell it to your utility company. You can not only save money, but also make money with the help of your solar panels.

f) DIY solutions

You can reduce the initial investment with the help of a "Do It Yourself" kit. You can either learn to build solar panels by yourself, or just learn to install the solar panel. Enjoy the advantages of solar energy while learning something new and exciting.

3. Energy independence

a) Solar energy is self-sufficient

The perspective of energy independence is one of the most appealing reasons to choose this source of energy. Depending on another entity is always frustrating for a human being who likes to have full control over his life. Many times we have to endure power black-outs, accept increasing prices, or wait for somebody from the utility company to come to fix a problem of the energy system.

Have you ever though of the possibility of becoming completely energy independent? Having a house that provides all the energy it needs by itself spares you the frustration of depending on various energy suppliers. Once your solar energy system is able to produce all the necessary energy, your house will become self-sufficient, your bills will lower, and you will have the certainty of a constantly available source of energy.

b) Solar energy is available anywhere

No matter how remote the area where you live is, if the Sun shines, your house will enjoy solar energy. Among the many other advantages, the fact that it can provide energy wherever it is needed is an enormous benefit. It will be able to bring light to locations where power lines cannot be installed.

A solar energy system can be easily installed in any location. Therefore, for people who would like to build vacation houses in the mountains or other remote areas, it provides a viable solution.

4. Flexibility

Probably the most appealing benefits are its low costs and its environmentally friendly character. The economic benefits solar energy brings are undeniable. So is the fact that it helps you contribute to protecting the environment and becoming energy independent.

Related to the idea of independence, there are other advantages that are worth mentioning. For example, solar energy systems are very flexible and adaptable to basically any situation. You can choose the solar technology that suits your needs best, install it where it fits, and invest in it depending on your budget. You can produce only a part of the energy you consume, or you can produce all the energy your house needs.

Installing the system can be done at your own pace. If you cannot buy all the solar panels at once, you can start with smaller investments, and when you have the money, you can install some more panels. If you have a small house, you can install a small system, and so on. Solar energy is flexible, comfortable and convenient.

To learn more about the disadvantages of solar energy, go to http://advantagesanddisadvantagessolarenergy.com
You'll discover...

    The facts about solar energy
    Exactly how solar energy works
    The price of installing solar energy
    Solar energy for home and business
    How to build a solar energy system
    How to make a solar oven

...and lots more! The information is ideal for students learning about solar energy and home owners who are looking into installing solar panels in their home.

Please email any questions to support@advantagesanddisadvantagessolarenergy.com

Tips For Saving Money Around Your House By Going Green

If there are two things that just about every single person likes (even though many people will not necessarily think about the fact that they "like" these two things - or, at least, will not think about the fact that they like both of these things), it is money and this planet; after all, money is necessary in order for us to get by in life and do the things we want to do, and this planet is necessary in order for us to stay alive! And because of the fact that so many people like (or, at least, depend on) these two things, it is of great benefit to explore ways by which we can save money while also protecting the planet!

One of the main things you should make sure you understand about saving money and protecting the environment in your home is the fact that you do not have to do "big things" in order to accomplish these goals - and in fact, the things you do can be as simple as keeping your blinds closed whenever you are not using a window to enjoy the view. After all, more air tends to be transferred through your windows than through any other part of your house, and when you make certain to minimize the exchange of air in this area, you will be able to keep the air in your house that you want to keep in, and keep out the air from outside you want to keep out!

Another key to being more energy-efficient in your home is to simply unplug appliances you are not using, as these appliances will still be using energy if you fail to do so; furthermore, you can start using fans in the summer to cool your home whenever reasonable, and can switch to as many energy-saving appliances as you can, as such changes will save you lots of money and make a big difference over time.

And finally, if you are looking for a way to save big money (and make a truly massive difference) in the long run, you should consider switching to solar energy; although the initial costs of making this switch will certainly make you think twice, the truth is - as long as you plan on living in the same house for the foreseeable future - you will save a whole lot of money in this way, and will be able to make a major impact on the preservation of the planet.

There is definitely plenty of debate these days regarding the current state of the environment, but amidst all this debate, the important factor being pushed aside is the fact that this planet is undeniably a gift, and each of us should be doing what we can to make sure we are taking care of this planet; start doing your part to keep Earth green - and even though it may seem like the things you are doing are not big enough to make a difference, these "too small" things will start to add up, until you are truly impacting the direction of the world!

~Esther Ingram

Do your part to take care of the planet!
http://www.beautisticgreenoffers.com

Packaging Supplies And Going Green

Everybody today is trying to turn green. We are all trying to make a positive impact on the environment. Even packaging supplies are now becoming environmentally friendly products, and quite rightly so. Packaging supplies are used in absolutely everything and as soon as they have been used, they become trash, with a huge impact on the environment. Luckily, now, there are eco-friendly materials to make packaging. Governments are actively supporting this by subsidizing greener products and manufacturing processes. Making packaging materials out of recycled materials is an important step, as is ensuring that the materials can be recycled again after they have been used.

There is a rapid growth in the eco industry, with everybody calling for a reduction on materials that are hazardous to the environment. Everything now has to be created by safe and natural products so that materials, technology and process solutions have less of a negative impact on the environment. The packaging industry as well as product manufacturers is following the guidelines set in the Environmental Technologies Action Plan to make sure that the way they produce packaging supplies. New ideas are developed on a daily basis and they include such innovative ideas as using recycled materials, preferably 100% recycled; using sustainable materials such as corn, soya, bamboo and cotton; using materials that have been organically farmed such as organic corn or organic bamboo; using materials that are biodegradable like unbleached paper and clam shells; using materials that can be recycled after use such as corrugated cardboard paper and glass; using reusable products such as glass bottles; and being fully energy-efficient throughout the full manufacturing process, for example by powering the factories with solar or wind power and using materials that reduce the carbon footprint. Packaging materials with the biggest environmental impact are, of course, polystyrene packing peanuts. These are being replaced more and more with biodegradable starch based packing peanuts, recycled papers and other green packing materials.

Most businesses now understand the importance of going green and actively implement a range of processes to reduce their carbon emissions. This is true for both the systems and processes they use, but also in the behaviors of their staff. Management should always lead by example, regardless of the industry they are employed in. When working in the packaging supplies industry, for example, they should be actively involved in the creation of strategic action plans to change the way the materials are produced, but also in the overall behavior of the factories and plants, for example by making simple changes such as fully powering off machinery that is not in use, switching to energy-efficient lighting systems, driving hybrid cars and organizing a carpool.

One company I recommend for packaging supplies is Omnipak. They have new green items on the market such as the biodegradable starch based packing peanuts that total dissolve in water. They also offer a green line of janitorial supplies such as environmentally safe chemicals and paper products.

Going Green With Food Service Supplies

Anyone running a restaurant understands that there are quite a lot of restaurant supplies that are needed on a regular basis. From food supplies, beverages, kitchen equipment and janitorial equipment are all needed to ensure efficient running of the business. Every restaurant needs a food service supply company that will regularly provide all these supplies in an efficient and reliable manner. The food service suppliers will need to be provided according to the restaurants needs and specifications.

In this age of great need for environmental conservation and sensitivity to the products that are used, most businesses have decided to go green. Restaurants are just some of the businesses that can affect these changes of going environmentally friendly. One of the greatest threats to our environment is the careless disposal of non-biodegradable products such as plastics.In the restaurant business, it is very difficult to face out the use of plastic restaurant supplies. This is because these items are very important for packing food and beverages for customers. There is also great concern about the use of paper which indicates that a lot of trees are being felled to make this paper.

One of the ways through which a restaurant can encourage environmental conservations through their wholesale restaurant supplies is by encouraging recycling of these items. Recycling reduces the number of trees being brought down to make paper; it also reduces the contamination of the environment with these non biodegradable plastics and saves on a lot of cost used in the production of these items from raw materials. The restaurant supplies can be placed in recycle bins and sent to recycling companies who will ensure that these food service supplies are put to good use.

Another way through which a restaurant can effect these changes in the wholesale food service supplies is by custom printing of the food service supplies. By custom printing a catchy message encouraging customers to recycle the products, especially when the food is packed to go, will ensure that the power to recycle is also transferred to the hands of the customer. Customers will be inclined to recycle these products especially with such a custom printed message on these food service and restaurant supplies.

Going green can also be encouraged by reducing the number of wholesale food service supplies made of plastics that are used by the restaurant. For instance the restaurant can strictly restrict the use of these plastic containers and disposable cups to takeaway food packaging only while the rest of the kitchen equipment will be reused. This will significantly reduce the amount of plastic that the restaurant will be disposed on a day to day basis and hence encourage environmental conservation.

Finding a food service supply company that can respond to these environmental conservation needs of a business is a great way of achieving these goals. The restaurant supplies given by this company will be geared towards ensuring that the environment is protected from harmful plastics and environmental toxins.

Going Green - Getting Started, Lifestyle and What to Look for When Buying Green Products Online

When I hear about the all the people, the media and special interest groups all clamoring on about going green, being green and wanting to be green- it somewhat amuses me. While it's great to hear all the interest, living green shouldn't be a new movement or something that's trendy- rather it should something we're all doing on a daily basis without really thinking about it, a lifestyle, something that we're teaching our children about when they start pre-school or kindergarten. While it's admittedly a major change in lifestyle for some, it's just a how things are done for others. In this article, I'd like to touch on the basics- some simple things we all can do to become more socially responsible and better stewards of our planet. The following are three central themes that serve as the fundamental building blocks for becoming and then living green. The hope is, when you see how easy it is to make these three behaviors a regular part of your life, you'll see how easy it is to build on this foundation and before you know it, you'll be well on your way to being a responsible eco-friendly member of the 'green movement.'

Conservation

This is rule number one and should be common sense but unfortunately for most, it just isn't because I think we are a nation who take what we have for granted. The basic principle is that "these are all finite resources that won't be around forever" just hasn't really sunk it or even worse, has never been taught. Specifically, utilities water and fuel. We have always had these commodities at the flick of a switch or a turn of a valve and there's little thought ever given to what if they are not someday.

How often do we turn on a light in a room and just leave it on because we're likely to return to that room in an hour or two? It's been reported recently the amount of electricity we waste by leaving our phone and computer chargers plugged in for extended periods. If your laptop computer will fully charge in 90 minutes, why do we leave it plugged in overnight or for 12 hours or more? If we could stand in the shadow of an electricity generating plant burning tons of coal everyday and see firsthand the carbon emissions that are spewing into the air I think we'd see things differently.

Water is a scare resource and people are beginning to run out of it all over the world including our own country, but how many of us take the 30 min shower, water the lawn for hours on end and rinse the dishes with gallons of water before we put them into the dishwasher. We do it because it's always been there when we demand it and we assume it will always be.

Would it be so difficult to combine the five or six trips we make running errands to the grocery store, going to our friends house, the dry cleaners, the gas station or the countless other stops we 'need' to make. Try and combine all these little trips into one and think of the gasoline you'll save. Or better yet, ride your bike or walk to your destination. You'll save gas and the energy spent making the gas, and even get in better shape as a result. We seem to think if we can afford it, we can do it- it's not like the gas pump is ever going to run dry right?

Recycling

Recycling has come in vogue recently and thank goodness it has. How easy is it to collect your paper, your plastic, tin cans and glass containers? The idea of reusing these containers and thereby saving the additional energy required to make new ones should appeal to everyone but sadly, some folks throw it all away in one container and assume someone else will do it and if they don't, oh well. Recycling should be a mainstay in our world because it's hard to argue with the benefits. There are some earth friendly companies that are so focused on this concept, they not only manufacture their new products with recycled products but in addition, offer their customers a discount on new products if send their old, used up products back to them at the end of their use and the company will recycle them again or donate them to needy groups. This is a great alternative instead of throwing it in the garbage to end up in a landfill somewhere. There is an entire new world of eco-friendly products in our world today that are recycled and on their second time around. Less is more.

Sustainability

This is something that requires a bit more foresight but is something we as consumers should be more in tuned to. Buying products made from sustainable materials. My pet peeve is all the Styrofoam we consume- everything from disposable food product containers to packing materials. This material not only requires huge amount of energy to produce, but is the furthest thing from biodegradable on our planet- well except for plastic which never goes away. Bamboo for instance regenerates itself every 90 days, where wood products take anywhere from 40-60 years to regenerate. A little thought going into researching your next acquisition can make the difference in a landfill and can cut the amount of energy we use and greenhouse gasses we put into our atmosphere in the production of these products. Once we're aware of the benefits or drawbacks of a product, we can all make a better informed decision. It's really not a big hardship to eat a sandwich you purchase wrapped in paper as opposed to a plastic or Styrofoam container is it? To gain more insight into sustainable products, shop green products websites for a list of the best selling green products and rest assured, someone has already thought about sustainability and your research has already been done for you.

My point is it's really not harder to live a green, eco-friendly lifestyle than it is to live a disposable life of waste with little or no concern for the future and those who will follow our paths. It is naive to think that the resource we use everyday are infinite, and don't have any cost or consequence associated with them but yet we seem to behave that way. The electricity is always there and the light always turns on because it always has. Our supply of fresh water will ever run out because it never has- and if it does, we'll be long gone and it will be someone else's problem. Once you become aware that every resource we use costs something to make and has an impact on the future health of our planet, things begin to look different and that clarity is rewarding. The water tastes a whole lot better after you've had to carry it from the stream a mile away. Once you put these three easy fundamentals in place, it become even easier to build on it and make your footprint you leave on earth even softer and lighter.

Kelley Murphy, the author, owns his own media production business in the healthcare vertical market, as well as a new e-commerce business owner of gottabgreen.com promoting and selling a responsible lifestyle and eco-friendly green products online. Looking to rid the world of plastic, follow his blogs and shop for the best selling green products online Visit GottaBGreen.

Going Green When Cleaning

Some of the largest pollutants that we use as a business nearly everyday are often things that we do not even necessarily think of as pollutants, and that is the simple cleaning products we use such as hand wash soap in cloakrooms. On top of this if you work in any office then the chances are that you have commercial cleaners coming in every evening that may well be using a range of cleaning products that are anything but green.
Indeed a simple look around in your cleaners cupboard, may find a locked cabinet for storing cleaning supplies, and one of the main reasons for this is that many of the cleaning chemicals still in use today are toxic and anything but green in nature.
Yet the pressure on all companies to go green is increasing month on month, with pressure coming upon businesses from Governments and lobby groups alike.
So if you have any concerns whatsoever as to what cleaning products your cleaning company is using, then why not sit down with your cleaner and find out if they have a "Green" policy and how it affects you, or if they do not then why not work with them to look at using alternative green products in your offices.
This is a genuine concern for a lot of companies as many of the detergents in use today cause a lot of harm to the environment as often the detergents cannot be easily or cheaply removed from your waste water by your local water company.
Also having a green policy when it comes to cleaning products is something that you can use as a plus point in your company brochures.
Going green when it comes to cleaning supplies need not cost anymore than buying non-green cleaning supplies in the majority of cases, although there are some chemicals where no credible green alternative yet exists.
Widely used cleaning products that are now available in environmentally friendly versions are washroom cleaner, toilet cleaner, hand wash soap, air freshener, heavy duty cleaner, multi-surface cleaner, carpet cleaner, glass cleaner and even degreasing products. So as you can see the list of products available that are environmentally friendly cover the majority of cleaning supplies that any commercial cleaner will need to use.
If you employ your own cleaners and buy cleaning supplies in for them to use then why not make the switch over to green products and help the environment out today.

Express Cleaning Supplies are a Kent based company providing cleaning equipment for commercial purposes, for sale online or in-store. From steam cleaners to bin liners, cleaning supplies are available for any and all requirements.