Easy Green Living Tips

Napkins and paper towels require trees, water, energy and packaging to produce and transport. By the time they end up on the store’s shelf, napkins and paper towels have already had a significant negative impact on the environment. And, this is before they get used once, tossed in the trash and start making their way to the landfill.

You can very easily green your dining routine by using eco-friendly reusable cloth napkins that can last you a lifetime. Inexpensive cloth napkins can be sewn from a variety of reclaimed fabrics or purchased at home and discount stores. At just a few dollars per set, reusable cloth napkins will also save you a lot of money since they can last a lifetime and you will never again need to purchase disposable napkins.

Reusable cloth napkins can be washed in your normal laundry loads and don’t take up much room in the washer, so they shouldn’t increase your water usage. To get a little greener, dry your reusable cloth napkins on a clothesline – or even thrown over your shower rod – rather than drying them in an energy-using dryer. However, they can also be thrown in the dryer with your clothes if line drying is not an option.

Another great way to help the planet - and your health - is to eat local, organic foods whenever possible. Eating local foods supports local farmers and the local economy, while also avoiding the environmental impact of transporting food over long distances. If you are purchasing your local food at the farmers market, it will also likely have less (or no) packaging, which is an eco-friendly bonus.

Eating organics is also better for you and for the planet. Chemical fertilizers and pesticides used on conventional produce ends up in the soil, the water, the air and your body. By consuming organic produce, you support farmers who are kinder to the earth, limit the number of harmful chemicals you ingest and limit your participation in creating demand for chemical pesticide use.

Farmers markets are a great way to find local, organic produce, but not all areas have year-round farmers markets. Fortunately food co-ops are opening up in most areas and many conventional grocery stores offer organic produce now as well.

Make your trip to the farmers market (or the grocery store) even more eco-friendly by bringing your own reusable shopping bag or basket.

The energy, water and transportation involved in raising, processing and transporting animals raised for food and the resulting meat products have an enormous impact on the environment. Because of this, vegans and vegetarians significantly lower their impact on the environment the day they stop eating meat.

But, even if you aren’t quite ready to transform your diet and go meat-free, you can still lessen your impact on the environment by limiting your meat consumption – even if you go meatless just one day each week.

Meat alternatives are a great way to ease your (or your family’s) transition and still thoroughly enjoy hearty, filling meals on the days you choose to help the environment – and your health – by going meatless. Morning Star Farms, Boca, Yves and many other companies offer excellent fake meat products that allow you and your family to enjoy your favorite dishes and comfort foods without missing the meat you usually use.

Although meat substitutes do still require energy, water, transport and packaging, the environmental impact of fake meats is significantly less than animal-derived meat products, making vegetarian and vegan meat products a good place to start for folks who would like to improve their health and lower their environmental impact by limiting their intake of meat.