Environmentally Friendly

The Earth's capacity is currently running at 150%. There is only so much that the Earth's environment can handle before it will collapse. Here are some things that you can do to help. Just simple things that everyone could very easily do to reduce their ecological footprint.

1. Buy Locally grown food.

2. Buy organic and fair trade products

3. Support companies who make a commitment to the environment through grants, donations, or companies who are members of organizations such as 1% for the Planet. Want to look for some companies that are environmentally friendly? Try this website: www.coopamerica.org/pubs/greenpages

4. Use rechargeable batteries.

5. 5. Drive less and walk or ride a bicycle more.

6. When you buy wood products (such as pencils) look for a label that says "not made from rain forest wood."

7. Recycle. This may seem obvious, but it's astonishing how many things can be recycled, even in smaller communities: aluminum and steel cans, plastic bottles, plastic bags, cardboard (shipping boxes, cereal boxes, paper towel rolls), paper (including computer paper and junk mail), magazines, phonebooks, newspapers, and even Christmas trees, car parts (motor oil, tires, etc.) and electronic equipment, such as computers or televisions.

8. Reuse. Take your own grocery bags (try www.ecobags.com for recycled and organic cotton shopping bags that are made using fair trade practices!). Reuse shipping boxes.

9. Drive more efficiently:

"While each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different speed (or range of speeds), gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph.

10. Start a compost pile, even if you don't garden. Most communities have a local compost stockpile and you can help save landfill space by composting fruits, vegetables, and other organic matter. For more information about composting, visit www.compostguide.com.