"Going green" by making eco-friendly choices is a popular way to help protect the environment. The wide variety of bike paths, recycling bins, farmers markets, and green products may leave you wondering whether any green choice makes a difference. Examine your green options carefully. As with any popular movement, myths about "going green" abound.
Small Choices Don't Matter
Many people believe the green myth that small choices don't make a difference—that changing what you buy, for instance, will neither help nor harm the environment. In fact, even small purchases can add up to huge impacts. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, if every U.S. family bought just one package of 100% recycled disposable napkins per year instead of non-recycled napkins, we would save over one million trees that year.
Recycling Uses More Energy Than It Saves
Some people choose not to recycle because they believe recycling uses more energy than it saves. In fact, the energy savings are part of what makes recycling so attractive to manufacturers. The most energy-conserving recycled product is the aluminum can. Recycling one aluminum can uses 95% less energy than making one from brand-new aluminum, according to PeachyGreen. And since aluminum cans can be recycled indefinitely, those savings add up.
It's Greener to Keep Old Appliances Than Buy New
While it might be tempting to squeeze another year out of that old refrigerator for your wallet's sake, it is not the greener option. Although not junking your circa-1975 refrigerator keeps it out of a landfill, it would be 70% more energy-efficient to buy a new one, according to Bankrate. Buying an Energy Star-rated appliance may be as much as 90% more efficient. In addition, some retailers will recycle your old appliance when you purchase a new one.
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