Unless you've been in a coma for the past decade, I know you've probably heard of the "green" craze. If you've been in a coma, you know that green is no longer just for hippies! paper gift bags with handles The rest of us finally realized that those hippies were doing something, and we started moving toward a greener lifestyle. However, you may still be wondering why and how you should green your behavior.

Why The planet's resources are finite. Make sustainable, environmentally friendly choices and help the planet by using less! Remember, every choice you make will have a negative or positive impact on the planet! 5x7 paper bags Greening it is good for your health. It is always better to choose organic products because there are no pesticides, which can harm health, especially if the product is not washed properly. Many towns hold weekly or even biweekly farmers' markets, which are great places to buy local, organic produce. Locally grown produce is great because it's fresh. The shorter the distance the food reaches your plate, the better, because shorter distances mean less contamination. leaf paper bagsHow to achieve green life1oz paper cups Walk or bike instead of driving. It's easy! It's not always possible, but try! Pedaling is cheaper than driving a car, and the only pollution it might cause is a little sweat. Say no to paper and plastic. While paper is better than plastic because it is biodegradable, it is also heavier than plastic and therefore puts more stress on the trucks carrying it, leading to more pollution. Try to buy reusable bags instead of paper or plastic bags, which are very strong and can hold more weight than single-use bags.

1oz paper cups But if paper bags really suit you, make sure you reuse them a few times before throwing them away. Unplug anything that glows. If you don't watch TV or use lights, unplug! Plug-ins like these are notorious energy suckers, even when they're not being used. Who wants to pay for electricity they don't even use? Do a full load of laundry. This may seem silly, but think about it. Washing machines use three of our most precious resources: water, energy and, most importantly, money. So a small load means a waste of water, energy and money. Also, wash your clothes in cold water instead of lukewarm. Ninety percent of the energy consumed by the washing machine is used to heat the water! Look! Greening your lifestyle is easier than you think! Now is the time to go out and make the world greener!