Today marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement of 1970. It is the perfect day to make one more decision towards a greener lifestyle. Green is a word thrown around quite easily these days. Corporations market their product as green without making much of an effort towards a greener product. I caution consumers to scrutinize their “green” products with suspicion. I’ve listed some of the ways Neil and I are trying to live a greener lifestyle.

1) Choosing local produce over imported.
2) Refuse to shop at markets that do not supply local produce or package their fruits and vegetables in plastic and styrofoam.
3) Carry reusable bags with us wherever we go, bagging our own products.
4) Take transit or walk, even on weekends.
5) Purchase glass over plastic for beverages.
6) Shop around, particularly for electronic gear but including the grocery stores, to reduce plastic packaging. You’d be amazed how much you can reduce both the cost and the environmental impact. A perfect order for me, is one that doesn’t have a shred of plastic. It often means sacrificing a more desirable product for something less, but worth it.
7) Reduce our energy consumption, generally. Specifically, shutting our heat off during the day and then completely for the warmer months. Changing our bulbs to be more energy efficient. Unplugging equipment when not in use. High efficiency washer & dryer (limiting our use of them).
Bring hazardous waste to the transfer centre, as opposed to discarding it in the landfills where hazardous materials leak into the ground.
9) Donate computers and other electronics to friends and families in need.
10) Recycle everything possible, including things as small as gum wrappers.
11) Reduce water consumption. Eventually, we will be putting in a water-on-demand system to make that much more of a difference. Shutting off the tap when we brush our teeth (saves 8L).
12) Urban density, not that we could afford a single dwelling home, but if ever, we have big plans for a green home.
13) We recycle our polyester (plastic) clothes with MEC (Mountain Equipment Coop) and limit our purchase of plastic clothes.
14) Avoid restaurants that package food in styrofoam or plastic. Particularly if they have no reusable alternative when eating in the restaurant. You’d be amazed how common it is around here.

I’d love to hear how you are going green. If there are any other ways I can live greener, I’m all ears!