Going Green with Eco Friendly Products

1) Made from renewable resources.
Think renewable when you're looking for the best eco-friendly products: bamboo trumps old-growth wood, paper trumps plastic, digital trumps paper, solar and wind trump gasoline and power grid (currently mostly coal).

2) No significant damage done to the environment in making them.
Tearing down the Amazonian or Indonesian rainforests, polluting rivers, etc. are not the way to produce eco-friendly products. Going green does not mean looking green at home while destroying the environment far away.

3) Made by companies that are going green.
Companies (especially large ones) with a green mission statement are being held accountable by the PR they require from consumers. Declaring their purpose in helping the environment is one good step in the right direction. The truth are in the facts. One good evidence that's available now are independent observations of carbon neutrality. Check out the U.S. EPA's website for a list of companies that are 100% carbon neutral or better.

4) Eco-friendly products are products that help the environment by using them.
Eco-friendly products conserve energy, minimize waste, and are generally healthy to be around.

5) No significant damage done to the environment when we are finished with them.
What happens when eco-friendly products are no longer useful? They are easily recyclable either through recycling programs or naturally biodegradable.

And how can we use these eco-friendly products to help the environment, to go green?

Use Eco-Friendly Products to Go Green
1) Going green is about purchasing according to what's most valuable to us, not merely based on what sounds best.
If I need 1 pound of cheese, it doesn't make sense to buy 5 pounds just because it's cheaper per ounce. I'm not saving money. I'm spending more and wasting more. If you happen to be choosing between a Hybrid SUV and a 4-door coupe, don't choose the SUV just because it's called a Hybrid. Count the gas-mileage and see which gets better, then choose based on your values. Go green by being smart.

2) Use moderately.
Turn off and unplug appliances when not in use. Conserve the amount of water you use. Dress warmly in the house in winter and lightly in summer. A few degrees over time makes a big difference.

3) Think responsibly.
Take good care of your eco-friendly products. Drive your hybrid safely. Wash your bamboo cotton clothes correctly. Protect your green home with a good security system and fire safety measures. Every time something is destroyed, it needs to be made again. Think "eco-friendly product preservation."

4) Show-off humbly.
Spread the word about going green. And do so in a way that makes people love you and what you stand for. Every person you get to go green makes a difference, and they'll help you continue to go green down the road. Don't turn people off with smugness. (I had the pleasure of living in Japan for several years. I think the Japanese have really perfected the art of humility, even when boasting. For instance, when you buy that new Energy Star appliance or other eco-friendly product, try saying something like, "Hmmm, my husband and I just bought this Energy Star refrigerator to save energy, but I wonder if it's just a waste of money... we want to live more green, but don't really know what's best... Do you have any ideas for Going Green?")

5) Think about the end.
What will you do with the product when it's done? Plan a system for recycling (especially those energy-saving CFLs), and stick to it. Ask stores if they'll take your old computer or appliances when you're done with them. And ask to see if they recycle them. Going green is like any other responsibility. Plan to the end.

Think creatively and develop your green values today, and the sacrifices we need to make for our planet tomorrow will seem a joy rather than a chore.

Thanks for reading about going green with eco-friendly products and how to practice eco-friendly use!