It wasn’t long ago all we had to do was separate our newspapers each week from the rest of the trash. Now, green has gone big time. Hybrid cars, organic foods, eco-friendly detergent, and the list continues.
 
Is it all too hard? No, it’s not actually. Going green is fun, easy and it feels good. Take a look at a few ways you can help our beautiful planet.    

1. Remember the three R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! 
2. Buy or replace existing appliances with Energy Star appliances. It will save you money and save energy too.
3. Turn off electrical items like TV’s, computer monitors and other electrical appliances where they plug in when not in use. Even on standby mode, they still use electricity. 
4. Turn the tap off while you are brushing your teeth or shaving. By leaving the tap running, you can waste up to 17 litres of water a minute. 
5. Avoid plastic bags by taking reusable bags shopping instead. 
6. Make home-made cleaning supplies. Baking soda with water is great for cleaning benches, sinks, and windows and deodorizing carpets. 
7. Leave the car at home when you can. Car pool, catch public transport or ride a bike. 
8. Switch off your car engine when sitting in traffic, don’t idle. 
9. Grow your plants naturally. Egg shells make great fertlizer. 
10. Look for products with less packaging. 
11. Drive slower and save gas AND money! 
12. Recycling one aluminium can save enough energy to run a television for 3 hours. 
13. Skip the receipt at the ATM, gas station or coffee shop. Anytime you have an option to cut down your paper consumption is positive change. 
14. Return plastic bottles. When buried, they can last for 700 years. 
15. Only run your dishwasher and washing machine when they’re full. 
16. Get fancy. Use cloth napkins instead of paper. 
17. Use a reusable filter when making coffee at home or at the office. 
18. Plant trees. The shade is a natural air-conditioner and will help to keep your house cool in summer and cut the cold wind in winter.
19. Getting a coffee on the go? Bring your favourite reusable cup with you. 
20. To save water, time your shower to keep it under 5 minutes. 
21. Use a broom instead of a hose to clean the driveway. 
22. You can save 10% on your fuel bills by turning down the thermostat just 1 degree. 
23. Recycling one glass container saves enough energy to light a 100-watt bulb for 4 hours. 
24. Start a compost pile. 
25. Drive in as high a gear as possible.
26. Running errands? Plan your trip before you leave to include all of your stops in one run rather than making multiple trips. 
27. Turn off the lights when you leave the room. 
28. Run your vacuum over the coils at the back of your fridge to remove dust. 
29. Use a lid when you cook. You’ll cook faster by keeping the content hotter and use less energy. 
30. Defrost your fridge regularly. 
31. Take unwanted electronics like TVs and computer monitors to an electronics recycling depot. It is better for the environment and keeps harmful heavy metals out of the landfils.
32. Keep your car in good working order, get it serviced regularly. 
33. Remove roof racks and other unneeded accessories to cut down wind resistance when not in use. 
34. Switch to vegetable-based cleaning products. 
35. Drive more smoothly! Jack-rabbit starts and weaving through lanes uses more gas and extends the length of your trip. 
36. Turn off your screen saver. 
37. Don't throw out unused medication. Return it to your local pharmacy at no cost for proper disposal. 
38. Teach your children how to turn the faucets off tightly. 
39. Properly inflate your car tires. You will save on gas and your tires will last longer. 
40. Recycle your rechargeable batteries. Find your local recycle station and take back batteries, televisions and other electronics that need special disposal.