Going green means implementing a lifestyle of reduce, reuse and recycle into your daily routine. The Consumer Recycling Guide offers straightforward tips about recycling and leading a greener lifestyle. Going green takes a lot of planning and hard work, but it can also be mundane. Looking for ways to spice up your green lifestyle will help you maintain and also make others aware of green sustainability. One way to do this is to make a difference in your lifestyle and then share with others the importance of going green.
Eco-Green Party
Utilize all of your green skills at once by hosting an eco green party for all of your friends. Try to make the party as green as possible. Start off with the invitations like those from Botanical Paperworks. Purchase seedling invitations that relate the message but instead of throwing them away, they can be planted outside where they eventually become a small wildflower bunch. For the centerpiece utilize reused natural materials like terracotta and burlap. Use the terracotta as holders for candles or use small glass votive holders and fill with dried beans, lentils and a votive candle for a natural glow to the table. Use salt-washed rocks as place settings and write down every guest's name. Purchase seedlings as gifts for coming to the party. Serve guests organic appetizers on your favorite mismatched china to reduce the amount of tableware being used. Use recycled metal buckets for guests to discard their paper, glass and plastic after use.
Green Holiday
Another unique way to go green is to send away the old holiday traditions and reign in the new. This can begin by utilizing more natural ways to celebrate at Christmas time as opposed to cutting down trees and using greens to create wreaths and garlands. The National Geographic website states that one way to do this is to buy a potted tree, which still gives you the option to have the fragrance and beauty of a real tree but you will be able to plant it in your yard when you are done using it. You can also reuse an artificial tree yearly to help reduce the destruction of a live tree. Try to recycle your wrapping paper or better yet, use newspaper that would otherwise get thrown out. Instead of tape, use twine or reusable ribbon or gift bags. Switch over to LED lights and recycle your old Christmas lights. The National Geographic website explains that LED lights are 90 percent more efficient than regular Christmas lights.
Green Remodel
If you have a little money or a lot, upgrading items in your home will allow you to go green and save money. Start by weather proofing your home. This is inexpensive because you only need weather proofing caulk and door sealers. Caulk up gaps and add sealers around doors to prevent drafts from sneaking in. Repaint your walls with a volatile organic compound (VOC) paint that reduces the amount of vapors and chemicals omitted when painting. The Environmental Protection Agency states that paints with low VOC ratings prevent throat and eye irritation, headaches, nausea and damage to the liver and central nervous system.
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