11 Tips for "Going Green" in 2011

An up-and-coming green-living blogger whose goal is help others "be the best green they can be" marked the New Year by posting 11 tips for going green in 2011.

Lynn Stone, founder of SmilingGreenMom.com who aspires to own an eco-friendly log cabin, boasts 3,000 monthly visitors to her year-old blog, with more fans added each month. She credits the idea to the changes her family made in search of more natural treatments for her son’s severe eczema. As she sought alternatives to chemicals and additives, she began sharing her tips.

Stone's site continues to evolve, but currently includes sections on product reviews, healthy recipes, raising green kids, health and wellness, coupons, and archives featuring experts and their beauty, fitness and nutrition advice.

The "Smiling Green Mom's" 11 Tips for Going Green in 2011

1. Composting: Building a compost pile is an easy way to add many beneficial ingredients to the soil while reducing garbage volume. It also benefits the community by reducing the nearly 25 percent of compostable landfill waste, according the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
2. Recycle paper and electronics: Anything from paper and plastics to metals and electronics can be recycled. Doing so can preserve resources, the amount of landfill space being used and energy use. The EPA estimates that only 15-20 percent of e-waste is recycled. The remainder goes directly into landfills and incinerators, causing dangerous heavy metals and toxins to accumulate, along with serious environmental risks. For more info on recycling your electronics, see http://www.digitaltips.org/green/default.asp (searchable by zip code) and http://www.terracycle.net/, which provides free waste collection programs for hard to recycle materials that are then turned into green products
3. Go Plastic Free: Eliminate plastics by switching to reusable whenever possible. Start by using reusable stainless steel water bottles and carrying cloth grocery bags anytime you are shopping.
4. Plant a garden: Even with limited outdoor space, a garden can produce a wide variety of nutritious foods. If space is very limited, consider a container garden or small herb garden to enhance your culinary experience.
5. Laundry: Whenever doing laundry, make sure it is a full load and wash clothes in cold water using safe non-toxic laundry soap. Hang clothes to dry.
6. Support local farmers and eat in season: Most food in grocery stores has been picked in the fields, sent to distribution centers, and then shipped thousands of miles before ever hitting store shelves. In contrast, when you purchase from local farmers, you can put a face with your food, and know your food has been picked within a day or two of purchasing. Buying fresh local food has many other advantages including reduced vehicle pollution, little or no and packaging. It may also be organic and pesticide-free. (Editor’s note: Visit LocalHarvest.org to find farmers' markets, family farms, and other sources of sustainably grown food around the state, http://www.localharvest.org/search.jsp?st=51&ty=-1&nm=)
7. Unplug and upgrade appliances and electronics: Unplug electronics and appliances when not needed or in use. Replace broken products with new energy efficient models that have an Energy Star label. Sponsored by the Department of Energy and the EPA, the Energy Star label program denotes compliance with specified energy efficiency requirements. Products with this label offer substantial savings and now include major appliances, office equipment, lighting, home electronics, and more.
8. Turn it off! Turn the water off while brushing teeth and turn off lights every time you leave the room. Consider purchasing low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators and energy efficient CFL or LED light bulbs.
9. Use eco-friendly cleaning products: With just a few common household items, you can make your own cleaning products as needed. (Search the web for recipes.) Homemade cleaning products using ingredients such as vinegar, baking soda, lemon and tea tree oil can save money, time and the packaging required for store-bought brands. Toxic-free homemade cleaners are also safer and healthier.
10. Never purchase paper towels or napkins again: Instead, use old washcloths cut into smaller squares, old socks for dusting, old t-shirts cut up for cleaning and reusable cloth napkins and hand-towels.
11. Borrow or Buy Used: Borrow your books, music and movies from your local library to save money while cutting down on resources needed to manufacture new. Set up online accounts with EBay, freecycle.org or shop thrift stores and garage sales when looking for anything from clothing to furniture.