We’d all like to go green – trade in that gas-guzzling SUV for an electric car, transform the backyard into an organic vegetable garden, and remodel the house using sustainable, environmentally friendly materials. But these changes represent a substantial investment of time, effort – and money.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’re probably well familiar with the slogan “go green” – but what is living green really all about? Living green is all about sustainable living, a lifestyle choice that incorporates several different environmentally friendly practices to deliver a powerful punch against pollution and other environmentally destructive practices.

Reducing Energy Usage
One of the key practices of sustainable living involves making changes to your habits, as well as physical changes to your home to limit the amount of energy you use and to decrease your carbon emissions. You can do this by using energy sparingly, like turning off lights when they’re not in use and limiting your use of home cooling and heating systems, and by installing energy-efficient appliances in your home. This also extends to your transportation habits – if you really want to live green, limit the use of your car by moving closer to work or by taking public transportation.

Those committed to green living search for natural products, but sometimes don’t realize these materials can save money, too. Fortunately, you can commit to living in an environmentally friendly universe and keep your monthly budget under control.

Natural Products and Safety  

Most natural products, along with contributing to sustainable living, are also very safe for all living things. Certainly, the safety of our fragile environment is critical to our continued survival as a species.

However, safety for ourselves, our families, our pets, and all living things is just as important. Imagine if natural products were environmentally friendly, but toxic to humans? Our environmental awareness quotient would drop dramatically.

If we were to ask you what room in your home you thought was the biggest energy waster, what would your answer be? If you answered “my kitchen,” you’re right on track. The kitchen is where the majority of a home’s power usage takes place, because this is where the majority of our energy-sapping household appliances are located: our fridges, dishwashers, ovens, and stoves. The good news is that if you’re interested in creating an eco-friendly kitchen, there are a number of things you can do.

Get Your Fridge in Line
Did you know that your refrigerator is your house’s second least eco-friendly appliance next to your heating and cooling system? Now, at long last, you finally understand why it is that your folks were always shouting at you to close the refrigerator door – they were just trying to teach you how to live green! Now that you know what an energy waster your refrigerator is, what can you do about it? First things first, take a look at your fridge’s age and specs. If it’s an oldie, replace it with a new Energy Star compliant model. Also, be sure to keep its internal temperature set at around 37 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit. As for your freezer, keep it at a chilly 5 degrees Fahrenheit, but no colder unless you want to waste electricity.

Establishing a daily recycle plan isn’t just a great way to save the environment – it can also be a fun and educational activity if you get the whole family involved. Here are just a few of the most effective tips for creating a more eco-friendly world, one aluminum can at a time.

Get Educated
Your first step in your daily recycle plan should be to get yourself educated on where your local recycling centers are, what kinds of recyclables they accept, and what their particular rules are. The Yellow Pages is a great resource. Of course, there’s always that new-fangled invention called the internet that can get you the same information without having to hoist that hefty phone book onto your kitchen counter.