14 ways to go green this Valentine’s day

Posted by Primavera Residences on February 14, 2016

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If Facebook forced me to define my relationship with Valentine’s Day, I’d have to select “it’s complicated.” On one hand, it’s a good excuse to go on a sugar-high-fueled glittery-pink-heart-shaped spree of sharing the love.

On the other hand, Valentine’s Day has become a horribly shopping-driven holiday that encourages us to commodify our relationships and evaluate how much we’re loved by how much someone spends on us. Not to mention that it creates a lot of trash from wasteful packaging and cards that may not even make it to the recycling bin.

So, to reconcile these two impulses, I’m offering this list of ways to share the love with everyone you adore without hating on the environment.

1. Make an edible Valentine

© Margaret Badore

Vegan treats will sweeten the day without the waste–since they’ll definitely be devoured. Consider homemade Sweetheart sugar cookies or chocolate cupcakes with strawberry filling.

2. Avoid e-waste cards

That singing card might be charming, but e-waste is less cute.

3. Buy fair-trade and rainforest friendly chocolate

If you’re single or not, this day will involved some sort of chocolate for many people, but cocoa farming is associated with some serious ethical and environmental problems. That’s why it’s important to stick with fair trade chocolate.

4. Craft a recycled Valentine

An old-fashioned homemade Valentine can be way more meaningful than something you find in a store. Consider turning scrap paper, pressed flowers, or fabric scraps into cool, handmade cards and tokens of affection, like these cute cardboard hearts from the Five and One blog.

5. Shop your closet

That scarf you’ve never worn? That book you’re not going to re-read? Consider re-gifting. Or check out Gifteng, a site that helps you give and receive in your area.

6. Think local

If you’re going to do some gift shopping or eating out, consider supporting a local business instead of a big chain. You can also look for locally made products. For example, I recently discovered Bixby chocolate, made here in New York state with ethical cocoa.

7. Look for organic flowers

Rosa y Dani/CC BY 2.0

If flowers are a must, look for organically grown options because cut flowers can be particularly drenched in toxic pesticides. If you’re not sure about your local florist, you can also order online from Organic Bouquet.

8. Consider a potted plant

Even better than cut flowers, why not give a plant that will last longer than a week? Here are recommendations for houseplants that don’t need much water.

9. Choose sustainable wine

When it comes to picking a wine, look for the organic label or the Rainforest Alliance seal. Learn more about eco-friendly wines here.

10. Select ethical jewelry

© The Nozomi ProjectI love jewelry that comes with a beautiful story. If jewelry is the only way to delight your beloved, consider browsing Helpsy’s selection or supporting the Nozomi Project.

11. Send the perfect .GIF

It definitely won’t end up in the waste bin.

12. Be a green lover

You may want to opt for vegan protection, to keep things smooth with organic ingredients, to get good vibes without phthalates or have fun with plastic-free play.

13. Cuddle

Not only does it feel good, it’s good for your health.

14. Do something extra nice.

Maybe it’s making dinner for your mom or maybe it’s taking out the compost for your roommate. Maybe it’s just calling that friend you haven’t heard from in a long time. I’m sure you can think of something nice to do for the people you care about, and that’s what this day should really be all about.

How to go green when you travel

Posted by Primavera Residences on February 8, 2016

by Celeste Brash · Sep 26 2014

Traveling green takes a little extra effort at first, but it soon becomes second nature and those extra steps can enhance every trip you take. Not only will you feel better about your travels, but you’ll also leave a more positive impression on the place you visited and often have more meaningful experiences along the way.

We believe responsible travel is a force for good: it can open hearts and minds, give us a broader understanding of the world, and inspire us to make a difference; but when you consider the environmental impact of commercial aviation, the sometimes negative effects of tourism on other cultures, and the trail of strained resources travelers can leave behind, tourism doesn’t look so pretty.

Here are our tips for going green with ease and making travel better for everyone.

At the planning stage

Flamingoes flying across a salt lake in Chile, one of this year’s 10 best ‘ethical destinations’, according to Ethical Traveler. Image by Ricardo Martínez Photography / Moment / Getty Images

Choose an ethical travel destination

Independent nonprofit organization Ethical Traveler ranks destinations each year by their environmental protection standards, social welfare and human rights record (ethicaltraveler.org/explore/reports/the-worlds-best-ethical-destinations-2014). It’s a good idea to check the “Addendum: Destinations of Interest” section as well to broaden your choices and see what countries made the top 10 in previous years (ethicaltraveler.org/explore/reports/the-worlds-best-ethical-destinations-2013).

By visiting countries on these lists, your tourism dollar supports their efforts to create sustainable tourism industries, and encourages other destinations to follow suit.

Choose a green hotel

Look for certified green hotels that are in LEED Certified buildings (usgbc.org/leed), use renewable energy, recycle, use environmentally friendly cleaning products and offer options for guests to make an impact (such as not having the sheets changed daily).

There are several certification programs – the better-known ones include Green Key Global, Green Globe International, Green Seal and EcoRooms & EcoSuites. Staying in smaller, locally run hotels and B&Bs is often the greenest method around, making your stay environmentally and socially responsible as well as being a more direct boost to the local economy.

Choose a green tour company

Again, going with an independent local guide can often be the best way to ensure your money is doing the most for your destination’s economy.

When looking for a tour company look for the following:

The company proudly promotes their ethical practices.
They use green office products.
You can tangibly see how they contribute to the community.
They respect the local flora and fauna.
They take destination-specific social and political issues into account.

While you’re on the road

Taking public transport such as a train is not only a sound ethical choice; it's also a good way to embrace and experience another culture. Image by Bart Dubelaar / Moment / Getty Images

Taking public transport such as a train is not only a sound ethical choice; it’s also a good way to embrace and experience another culture. Image by Bart Dubelaar / Moment / Getty Images

Use public transport, bike or walk

Using public transport or travelling under your own steam can cut your environmental impact, and also allow you to meet locals and experience a culture in a slower, more detailed way. Instead of renting a car, hop on a local bus; take a walking tour or view the countryside by bike. For long distances consider trains, which allow you to see the country out the windows while meeting locals at your seat, the cafeteria or lounge areas.

Don’t use plastic bottles

A small water filter such as a battery-powered Steripen (steripen.com) easily fits in a daypack or purse and can make tap water safe to drink. You can treat water by the liter if you carry a wide-mouth bottle, or you can dunk the device directly into your glass at restaurants, etc, to zap ice cubes and fruit juices. This allows you not only to reduce your plastic bottle consumption but also to feel safe drinking a wider variety of local beverages – including ice cold drinks on hot days.

Eat locally sourced food

Support the region’s farmers, get a more authentic taste of the cuisine and cut your carbon footprint even more. Look out for restaurants advertising local produce or, if that’s not possible, eat local dishes at mom-and-pop-style places that will most likely use what’s produced nearby. Whatever you do, don’t eat endangered species like turtle or over-harvested shellfish.

Know when, and when not to volunteer

We all want to help, but take the example of Cambodia, where so many travelers wanted to volunteer at orphanages that fake ones were opened to make a healthy profit. For more detailed information on this issue, check out our article: Voluntourism tips: is it ethical to visit orphanages?

In general, places that involve animal welfare or the environment are the most likely volunteer opportunities to be legitimate. Of course there are all sorts of organizations doing incredible humanitarian work; just be sure to do your homework before donating your time and money.

Do your homework on any tour involving people or animals

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of a close encounter with an indigenous tribe or exotic animals but stop for a minute, think logically and ask questions before you support a business that may be doing more harm than good. Just because an experience is offered, promoted and everyone else is doing it does not mean it’s the ethical choice.

Leave a light footprint

Take simple steps such as not getting your sheets changed daily at your hotel, taking short showers, keeping air-con use to a minimum and turning off lights when you don’t need them. Research your destination by internet or ask around to find out if there are water shortages, how energy is produced, and if there are any resource issues to be aware of. And use your eyes. Seeing the giant, noisy, gas-guzzling generator that produces the electricity on that desert island will make you think about it every time you flick a switch.

Don’t dump your stuff

Many developing countries don’t have the means to dispose of bulky, man-made items like old electronics, polyester clothing or used batteries. If you leave them, they could remain in a landfill or worse for literally hundreds of years after you’re gone. Pack your trash and take it home. The exception is clothing and items that may be of use to local people – these should be donated to local charities or religious organizations so they can reach those most in need.

When you come back home

Carbon offset programs can help fund reforestation. Image by homas Jackson / Stone / Getty Images

Carbon offset

Calculate your carbon offset via this handy calculator at Sustainable Travel (sustainabletravel.org/utilities/carbon-calculator). While it’s better to concentrate on shrinking your footprint in the first place, a contribution to carbon offset programs will help by funding reforestation and renewable energy projects.

Donate

Now that you’ve experienced a place, met its people and seen what is needed the most, why not make a donation to one of the region’s grass-roots organizations? Perhaps you found this on the road or researched it as an afterthought, but there’s always a way to give more back.

Eco-friendly tips for an early Christmas shopping

Posted by Primavera Residences on November 18, 2015

Oh hello there! Are you feeling the Christmas spirit? Do you already have presents for your loved ones? Better have your Christmas shopping now! Isn’t it hassle-free to buy your Christmas presents in this early moment? Instead of waiting for rush and last minute shopping, running all over the town and putting yourself in crowded places, secure a safe and eco-friendly early Christmas shopping. Yes, an eco-friendly Christmas shopping.

Do you know how to be an eco-friendly shopper? Well, let me give you some tips on how to make your Christmas shopping helpful to our mother earth:

Make a list– Before going to shopping places; make a list of the things you need to buy. This will help avoid wasting gas from commuting or even with your own car, not just that, it will also make you spend less because this will make you stick to your budget. Your loved ones will appreciate more if you give them a well thought present and at the same time bringing no harm to our environment.

Shop in one place– Stop exhausting yourself from walking and running all around shopping places. As much as possible, try to look for a mall or a group of stores where you can buy all you need for presents. It will help to reduce carbon emissions produced from your car, and will lessen time consumption.

Use Eco-bags– Refrain from using the usual plastic bags that will take approximately 500 years or more to decompose, and would contaminate soil, waterways, marine life, and animals upon digestion. Instead, use eco-bags or any reusable shopping bags that you could bring with you every time you shop. There are also lots of shopping malls and stores who sell eco-friendly bags, have it and enjoy your green Christmas shopping.

Shop Online– If you don’t want outdoor shopping, why not try to have your shopping online? There are lots of online shops that give you easy access and convenience. Aside from the fact that it’s more comfortable and relaxing way to shop, this is also one great way of reducing carbon emissions produced when running around the city to buy your Christmas gifts. One more thing, shopping online would also help you save your time and avoids you from unwanted situations like waiting on long lines and being in a middle of the crowd.

Here you go! You can enjoy your shopping in an eco-friendly way that’s not just beneficial to our environment but also for us.

Have a Green Merry Christmas!

Do you want to know more about Primavera Residences? You may click here for more information!

5 Ways to be Eco-friendly this ‘Back-to-school’ Season

Posted by Stefan on May 25, 2015

When kids anticipate the fun of back-to-school shopping, it always makes it a bit lighter and easier to bid goodbye to the summer season. Thankfully, though, today’s school supplies have come a long way. You can actually find ones that are colorful and stylish yet non-toxic. Yes, it’s music to our ears.

Here’s some tips to make going back to school easy and cool for both your kid and the planet.

ECO-FRIENDLY LUNCH BAGS – There are countless ways to be eco-friendly in packing lunch and using plastic sandwich bags are a big no-no today. The better option is to pack their snacks or lunch in reusable food and drink containers which can be used throughout the school year. If paper bags must be used, look for bags that are made from recycled paper.

DAILY EXERCISE – Walking to school or riding a bicycle is a great way to get exercise before class. It will help to sharpen a student’s focus in class and will add exercise to their daily routine as well. If you drive your children to school but bussing is available, consider putting them on the bus instead. It reduces your carbon footprint and allows them to socialize while en route with their friends.

DOES EVERYTHING HAVE TO BE BRAND NEW?– Who wouldn’t want some new things on the first day of school? It’s great to show up on the first day with some smashing brand new outfit, but beyond day one, should you need everything to be brand new? There are a growing number of used clothing retailers that can insert a certain element of “eco-chic” to your child’s wardrobe and are way more affordable.

ECO BAGS – It was believed then that extra packaging was a sign of quality and prestige but would it hurt if, at least, we minimize the amount of non-recyclable items we send to the landfill? Nowadays, there are many eco-bags available when you shop for your children’s school supplies.

BE A LEADER – We must never forget that a child learns from their teachers and especially from their parents. Through leading them to live a healthy lifestyle, the earlier they learn and implement the eco-friendly habits into their lives. Making personal choices that embrace a green and sustainable lifestyle will provide examples for your children to learn and emulate from.

Planning to travel to Cagayan de Oro? Check in into the only eco-friendly serviced residences in Mindanao for your short-term and long-term accommodation requirements.

Primavera Residences, the first and only multi-awarded eco-friendly property in Cagayan de Oro, is an advocate of sustainable living. For more green tips, click here.

10 Ways to be Eco-friendly this Summer

Posted by Stefan on April 10, 2015

Oh hello there, Summer! This is the season where most of us go for a vacation, rest at home, watch movies, go trekking, and seek for more adventure and fun. However, no matter how extravagant or economical we want our summer to be, there will always be ways on how to make this season a little more eco-friendly.

Here we go:

Use natural lighting. Why use unnecessary light in your house or workplace when all you need to do is open your windows or blinds during the day?
Get indoor plants to purify the air you’re breathing inside your home. Aside from it will liven up your home, indoor plants fight indoor pollution which is often worse than most of us realize.
Start your own backyard garden. It’s time to grow some fresh fruits and vegetables. They are organic and they also taste better. By growing your own organic food, you can save your car’s gasoline and money as well.
Eat at home. Get away from processed food and start making more meals at home. It’s cheaper and better for you too.
Walk or use your bike. Many people don’t consider this as an option, but think how much you used to walk around when you were younger. Those feet are made for walking. You can save the world as you can save yourself too.
But if you need to do any driving, slow down a little. Not only that it will help lessen your fuel consumption, it will also help you enjoy your driving time. When idling, better turn off your car for it saves gas and harmful emissions.
When planning for a staycation, make the simple change in doing all your energy-heavy chores at night. Do your laundry, vacuuming, and drying at night for these cut your energy bill and prevent your home from heating up during daytime.
Drink just enough. Your body needs water to stay healthy and hydrated. Don’t waste it though. Water can also be used to water plants, give to your pets, etc. Just be aware of what you are doing and you will probably save quite a bit.
When your appliances and gadgets are not in use, better unplug it and reconnect with your family. Since you’re unplugging, better go out, and explore the world.
Have a potluck get-together. Invite family and friends over for a picnic or backyard party. Ask them each to bring a specific food item (in a reusable container) along with their own dinnerware, cups, etc. This way you’ll have a great mix of foods and drinks. Plus, there will be very little clean up or waste afterward.

There you have it. How’s these for summer, huh?

Primavera Residences, the premier eco-friendly development in Cagayan de Oro City, regularly shares green tips for our readers. Do you want to know more about it? Click here.

6 Ways to Celebrate Earth Hour with your Family

Posted by Stefan on March 26, 2015

We are 2 days away from celebrating Earth Hour! Are you still searching for ways on how to celebrate Earth Hour and sustaining it for the days to come? What the world needs are people like you. If you’re shifting to a more sustainable and energy-conscious way of life, then you are more qualified to participate in this worldwide event!

Here are some ways to maintain you and your family’s commitment to protecting our planet and contribute to the global environmental change.

Talk with your family: This is an opportunity to talk with your family about your contribution to the Earth Hour. This way, you cannot just participate by yourself but you can also encourage your family members. Some easy contributions at home are by simply turning off the lights, schedule watching the television, charging your gadgets ahead of time, and by limiting waste as you make a positive impact on the environment. This Saturday, take this as an opportunity to be with your family as you go stargazing.

Impose and save: You can set up a plan on what areas of your house where electricity can be saved. You can simply place flags or stickers on when to use these appliances or unplug your computers. Through imposing these simple discipline, turning off lights and other devices will not just save energy but could shape your family members’ character and behavior.

Issue a challenge: Turn off the television and computer! Gather the family, light a candle and pull out your favorite board games. Scrabble, Monopoly, Trivia Pursuits and Pictionary are some great options. You might event notice you’ve bonded so closely that you were celebrating it past the hour. How’s that for a simple and eco-friendly family bonding?

Impart wisdom to your kids: By simply calculating the ways you can save energy in and around your house can help your kids understand the impact they can contribute with their individual actions on the entire environment. You can explain the effects, savings they get, and benefits from being conscious of their electricity consumption. Through this, these steps will help them reduce the use of energy.

Walk the talk: Invite family and friends over to celebrate Earth Hour together. Turn off the lights and other appliances while you watch an environmentally-themed movie. Afterwards, you can have a group discussion and write down what actions should be done. Be inspired to become an inspiration. Let’s walk the talk.

Share to the world. In taking part of this global event, it wouldn’t hurt you if you post your Earth Hour experience with the hashtag #ChangeClimateChange. So, see you this Saturday as we make the world a better place to live in!

—

Italpinas Euroasian Design and Eco-development Corporation’s (ITPI) flagship sustainable condominium development in Cagayan de Oro, Primavera Residences, fully supports the goals of Earth Hour. Being one of Cagayan de Oro’ green advocates, the green building is designed with eco-friendly features that helps reduce the residents’ electricity consumption.

Do you want to know more about the Primavera Residences and its advocacies? You may click here.

5 Eco-friendly Devices You Should Try

Posted by Stefan on March 18, 2015

The world generates twenty to fifty million metric tons of electronic waste each year and most of the consumption is caused due to heavy use of electronic appliances according to the United Nations Environment Program. However, there are ways to reduce the wastage of electricity by switching to gadgets with solar-powered counterparts, or gadgets that are made from recycled materials and are non-biodegradable.

To give you an idea to what gadgets are environment-friendly, here are some of those:

iBamboo

No need for an outlet or any batteries at all, just a bamboo cut to the usual portable speaker with a slot on the top to rest your iPhone. All you need to do is turn your phone’s speaker on, set it in the slot, and the natural acoustics of the bamboo will amplify the sound. Yes, no electricity required. How’s that, huh?

Eton Mobius

With the rise of the high technology gadgets that contribute to global warming, consumers nowadays are getting even more conscious on how they’ll be able to contribute to being eco-friendly. Eton Mobius helps when you’re out for a day of traveling and need a quick and simple way to have a little bit extra juice, and you want to be eco-friendly about it. Eton put out a rechargeable battery for iPhones that is essentially a case with a solar panel attached at the back. How about a free battery charging wherever there’s sunlight, ey?

LED Monitors

As much as we try to accept the advancement of technology and its implications in our daily life, we have yet to embrace it in its totality. One fine example of such a situation is our use of the bulky cathode-ray tube (CRT) monitors that we use as screens for our computers. They are huge, heavy, space and energy consuming, and the worst part is, they comprise of deadly chemicals like lead to manufacture.

To reduce this, make the eco-friendly switch by replacing them with LED monitors. These monitors are lightweight, sleek, and have less moving parts. Even better, they consume less electricity and also give a more user satisfaction in terms of display than its predecessors. Make the eco-friendly switch if you are using the old boxes.

Smartphones

You will never go wrong with the multi-functionality of your smartphones. Think about it: your phones are your cell phones, mp3 players, digital camera, e-planner, e-reader, GPS device, calculator and so much more. In fact, the more uses you find for your smartphone, the more eco-friendly it becomes because each time you consolidate your gadget needs into the apps and functions contained in your smartphone, the fewer peripheral device you need. The fewer electronic devices you buy, the lighter impact you have on the planet.

Asus Bamboo Ecobook

The cover of this ASUS Ecobook is made of bamboo and is truly a decent way of getting your compute power while lowering your electricity costs. All of the plastic inside this Ecobook is labeled and recyclable. The components are lined with cardboard and there are no paints, sprays or even electroplating used on its components.

Do you know of any other devices that promote green living? Let us know in the comments.

Primavera Residences, the premier eco-friendly development in Cagayan de Oro City, regularly shares green tips for our readers. Do you want to know more about it? Click here.

3 Eco-friendly Presents to Give this Season of Love

Posted by Stefan on February 20, 2015

Once again, the month of love has come and it sure paves a venue for lovers to spend time, prepare for surprises, and arrange their favorite kind of ‘date’. Though it’s a highly-commercialized season, it is still the precious time where people can show how much they care for their loved ones. Though February 14 has already passed, I know you are still hoping to pull-off the last minute surprises you want your loved ones to get.

So here are few simple yet eco-friendly Valentine’s Day tips that could put your gift over the top.

From roses to daisies: If you’re planning to give your loved one flowers, first, make sure to know the meaning behind your flower choice. Getting organic flowers is also a smart idea. Or why not give her a living plant of rose bush that will last longer than those which last only for days or a week? You can always be creative by giving her your Valentine’s gift. Just the though and effort you put into your gift will surely be worth it.

Be as sweet as chocolates: We all know chocolate is an aphrodisiac. It contains an endorphin called phenylethylamine, levels of which in the brain have been linked to falling in love. Then a red rose was believed to be the favored flower of Venus, the Roman Goddess of Love, and has come to represent romantic love. That is why flowers and chocolates take up a good pair of a Valentine’s present to your loved one. Chocolates, on the other hand, do have a few allegedly eco-friendly chocolate brands that you can opt for.

The date of your choice: There will always be people who prefer to treat their loved one in the most sumptuous restaurant, however, there are also those who would want to be more romantic by considering to eat in. Cooking dinner at home for your loved one wouldn’t take much of your budget. With a quick trip to the organic section of your local supermarket and some budget-friendly organic recipes, you’re good to go.

No matter where you are or what you plan on doing, remember that it doesn’t take much to make the love season an eco-friendly one!

Do you want to know more about Primavera Residences’ treats this love month? Click here.

5 Mobile Apps Promoting Green Living

Posted by Stefan on January 27, 2015

We live in a world where it’s never too easy to balance the highly evolving technology with the protection of our planet. Despite the efficiency and convenience technology have contributed to us, many companies have added to the environmental issues whether it is through their use of resources, factory conditions, or product-shipping all over the world, among many other unsustainable practices.

However, there are certain devices that could help improve our eco-friendly efforts. Even it is only to arm ourselves with information, our smartphones could be our daily reminders on how to be kinder to the environment.

Below are this list of some eco-friendly mobile apps you can download on your mobile devices.

EcoCharge

A simple yet powerful concept, the EcoCharge app will ring an alarm when electronic devices are fully charged to increase battery life and prevent unnecessary energy use. Instead of leaving a cellular phone or laptop continuously charging at home or work when the battery is fully charged, it helps users become more aware of energy use while providing great eco-friendly tips on how to stay connected and energy efficient with our favorite tech gadgets and devices.

iViro

iViro helps users create more sustainable homes and living spaces. Perform a customized energy analysis to receive a detailed overview of your home’s heat, cooling, electricity, water and appliance energy consumption patterns with annual cost and CO2 emission estimates. Additional features provide ideas on energy-saving alternatives and strategies to ensure your home is energy-efficient and cost-efficient while reducing its environmental impact.

Go Green

We don’t immediately become eco-geniuses. It takes time, effort, and education to get there, which is why this app is such a great place to start. There is no creating solar panels or learning to make a dress out of used corn husks; just practical and simple tips that are easy for anyone to implement into their daily lives. Whether it is catching the bus, or walking instead of using the car a few times a week; buying from a local farmer’s market instead of a grocery store, or just learning how to recycle for the first time; this app has you covered.

7-minute workout

You can challenge yourself with 7-minute workout for 7 months using nothing more than a chair, a wall, and your own body weight. The 7-minute workout is based on scientific studies to provide the maximum benefit of working out regularly in the shortest time possible. No electricity needed. Workout anytime, anywhere.

Greenpeace

Greenpeace has been the most well-known name in environmentalism for decades. Now it has an app that both helps support its cause and teaches your children about protecting the planet and all its creatures. Plenty of games, news from Greenpeace globally, and online efforts are featured.

Do you know of any good apps for going green? Let us know in the comments.

Primavera Residences, the premier eco-friendly development in Cagayan de Oro City, regularly shares green tips for our readers. Do you want to know more about it? Click here.

Start Your New Year Right with Eco-friendly Resolutions

Posted by Stefan on January 12, 2015

To open 2015 with a bang, New Year’s resolutions could bring hope of new beginnings and a fresh start. A lot of people are beginning to look at what they would like to achieve this year, while there are a number of traditional resolutions adopted from the past years such as to lose weight, get a new job, buy a home, to mention some. However, there are also various non-traditional resolutions which can be made.

As you sit and ponder what 2015 may hold, take a few minutes to look over the following list of 10 green New Year’s resolutions worth embracing. Whether you adopt one, a few or all 10 of them, resolving to be greener in the upcoming year is something worth doing.

Separate your waste into materials that can be recycled, those that can be composted and those to throw away. If not, you can donate them to those in need of extras, I believe there’s a lot of them.
Set up a garden, either indoors or out, so you can grow your own fruit, vegetables and/or herbs. Your compost can help you get started.
Spend at least 30 minutes a day outdoors. Chill, relax and live life as how you wanted it.
Schedule time each day or week where you and your family go unplugged. This way, you can lessen your home’s electricity consumption.
Make sure your washing machine, dryer and dishwasher are full before you run a load.
Reduce water consumption by limiting shower time, making your toilets low-flow, turning off water while brushing your teeth, etc.
Drive less. Leave your vehicle at home at least one day a week (or more). Walk, bike, take the tricycle or opt for other means of public transportation to get where you need to go.
Improve your overall health by resolving to eat fresher, raw foods and less pre-packaged, processed foods.
Switch to reusable products. Ditch one-use or disposable products.
Lower the level of indoor air pollution in your home by adding more plants, airing out your home regularly, using natural homemade cleaners and making your own candles or air fresheners.

These are just simple green tips to live a sustainable life from Mother Nature Network.

Adding these to your resolutions for the year will get you off to a good start on living a greener, more sustainable life.

Here’s hoping this year is your greenest yet!