Real ways to go green
Think you're making a pretty good attempt at going green? You might want to think again. Sunday's Parade Magazine tells readers that just because something is marketed as green doesn't mean it actually is. Take paper shopping bags. Pick them over plastic and you're doing a great thing, right? Not exactly. They are biodegradable but it still takes four times more energy to manufacture paper than plastic, leading to even more air and water pollution. Oops. Opt for sturdy, reusable totes and you'll be doing the planet a favor.Have you been picking up organic processed snacks at the store lately? If so, then stop. These processed treats require hugs amounts of energy to produce, pack, and ship. Snacking on whole foods that are locally or organically grown is so much better.
Are you a fan of recycling your plastic water bottles. Good for you, if you are. But even better than using these bottles in the first place is to sip tap water from a safe reusable metal bottle. Why? Because we dispose of about 70 million plastic bottles every day. Fewer than 15 percent are recycled.
Surprising stuff? There's more right here -- like how to redecorate your house in the greenest way possible, how to buy the best green car, and what eco-friendly duds to wear.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-03-2008 @ 8:15PM
Davy said...
I just recently decided to cross over, and I have been recycling, shopping with my own bags, and paying bills online. The bags I use are mesh material, so I just use those over and over. OH! And I've switched to bioheat, which is pretty cool. Have you ever heard of it? It's really popular in the green community. I like it because it's biodegradable and non-toxic, so I don't have to breather in all of those nasty fumes. The best part about it is that it's made of heating oils and every day products like avocado and corn.
I found out about it through my job here at NORA. I did a bit of research and got some cool tips from:
http://oilheatamerica.com/index.mv?screen=bioheat.
Check it out and see what other cool info and suggestions are offered that you might be interested in.
Reply
6-06-2008 @ 6:31PM
Maggie Quirk said...
It's pretty atrocious what people get away with in marketing. The same applies to organic foods. Just because it says organic on it doesn't mean its 100% organic.
If it says 100% organic on it then you know it's organic. But it doesn't mean it's green.
The whole organic and green industry is full of ifs ands or buts. Which is why it's great to get back to nature. Eat mostly whole raw organic (and if possible local) foods and try and cut back on consumption.
There are more unique tips about green and natural living at www.natural-green-guide.com