The Times They Are A Changing

April is Keep America Beautiful Month. So many of us are trying to find ways to turn our huge “big foot” sized carbon footprint to ones as small as we can make them. Don’t be embarrassed if you haven’t done much in the way of making your life and surroundings a bit greener, just start now. Here are three easy suggestions to get you started.

* Buy your fruits and vegetables from local growers. Make a stop the next time you pass a farmers market or fruit stand. The produce will be fresher and the amount of energy in the way of fuel is almost completely eliminated.

* Lessen packaging. Although, for safety sake some packaging may be necessary. However, instead of grabbing the tomatoes that are neatly packaged in a little container, purchase the loose tomato. Keep an eye out for products that use less packaging.

* Use reusable bags. At least ask for paper bags and refuse to shop at a retailer who does not provide them. There is a particular large discount store that sometimes have superstores with grocery departments that never, never seem to have the paper bags on hand. Don’t tell the clerk, but speak or send a note (email) to the manager telling him you will not be shopping there without paper bags. Better yet, bring your own reusable bags. Just get in the habit of putting them back in your car after unloading your groceries.

If you work just a little at it, you will begin to do your part to keep America beautiful.

Is the word “green” becoming like other words of the past that meant something at first, but then because of certain lax government wording, companies found loopholes. They could use the word nutritious, healthy, whole wheat and even sometimes organic without complying to certain assumptions of the general population? Many manufacturers have figured out that people will pay more for a “green” product. So, true to the “American way” they have found their way around the system. And it doesn’t help that the word “green” has an ever changing definition.

According to Webster’s Dictionary, “green” means:

* concerned with or supporting environmentalism
* tending to preserve environmental quality
* being recyclable, biodegradable or nonpolluting

It can be difficult to discern which products are actually earth-friendly. It’s important to read the label. Finding out that the product is organic, recycled and/or local is a good start in knowing you are doing your part to help the environment. Don’t fall for terms like clean, natural or earth-friendly without further researching the product.

The best way to discern a “green” product is through third-party certification. This means that an agency (organization), outside of the industry has checked out the product and given it their stamp of approval. If a product has one of these certifications, you know that a third party has checked the company and product out. Here are some examples:

* Earth Advantage
* Leadership in Energy
* Energy Star
* Green Seal
* Certified Organic