How many ways are there to 'Go Green'?

There are so many different ways of taking action to Green up at home or at work that it's no wonder people get confused and think that if you can't achieve it ALL then why bother.

We all love a bar of chocolate - right? Of course.

But if you were offered a single square of chocolate, would you refuse on the grounds that if you can't have it all then you don't want any?

Of course not!

So why treat Going Green that way when we can approach it one square at a time and actually enjoy it more than if we pigged out on it and felt sick afterwards.

Of course, going totally green is not likely to actually make us feel sick, but preaching about it by "deep greenies" can leave some people feeling a little sick of hearing about it.

Deep Green people are great - I envy them as they never get sick of doing what's right and enjoy every moment of it. But how do we all do that, when it's not what we were brought up with?

One step at a time

Choose an area that you feel you can change most easily in your life, that at this moment is probably the least green part of your life.

Read up about it, learn what impact your current actions have, what you can do to improve it and what effect that action will have.

Once you have integrated this change into your life and it becomes more comfortable and natural, start another challenge.

One of the first and most obvious things people think of is Recycling but here are a few others to think about and choose from - from simple walking more to more complex ideas for you to research further...

Recycling - is important to reduce landfill and the use of raw materials.
Fuel efficiency - helps the atmosphere and conserves resources.
Energy efficiency - helps the atmosphere.
Organic Food - Reduces destruction of top soil, environment and health hazards.
Oranic Fibres - for clothing. Reduces destruction of top soil, environment, health hazards and eventually landfill.
Buy Local - Helps reduce food miles, supports local farmers, helps local economy.
Walking/Cycling - Reduces Carbon Footprint, improves health.
Ban Plastic Bags - Reduces Landfill, reduces risk to wildlife, reduces toxins
Compost Food Waste - Reduces Landfill, Improves garden soil organically
Reduce Beef Consumption - Reduces CO2 and Water used in farming. Some beef is OK. Local Organic if possible.
Save Water - use less in showers or baths or re-use for organic gardening
Organic Gardening - Food grown at home is the most eco friendly, tasty and healty of all.
buying Fair Trade - encourages growth of poorer communities and ensures cruelty free.
Chemical Free - Reduces environmental impact and improves health from food to toothpaste and any other item in the house or used at home from wipes to creams and shampoo's. Avoid SLS's, Alcohol's, Solvents and others. Lots to research!
Don't Fly - unless it's absolutely necessary, drive, train, boat or holiday more locally.
Nappies - Washable are best! Biodegradable are better than plastic. Try avoiding Gel filler too.
Buy Recycled - sounds obvious but it's easy to recycle and forget when shopping to look for recycled items from shoes to packaging.
Wear a Jumper - on cooler evenings and in winter, more clothing is better than more heating.
Buy less toys - Children with everything are very Un-Green. Children love old boxes, tins and wooden spoons to play with. Imagination is the best learning tool!
Dry clothes outside - use the tumbler less and reduce CO2 and energy consumption.
One Pot Meals - Cooking peas in a steamer over the potatoes is better than heating two pans. Cottage Pie, Casserole, Soup and any other one pot meal is also good. Home made of course.

I can't go on any more - I've reached my chocolate quota for the day but I hope you understand where I am coming from. Tackle one thing at a time and soon you will integrate each of these things into your life style and realise - Wow, do I do that much to be green?

Green East - Eco Friendly Products because a green world starts with a green home!