About the Author

author photo

A young, black, professional, Spelman College and UNC Law grad, and new mommy who practices law in the Chicago suburbs.

Other posts by Kimberly

Go Green Checklist

April 22nd, 2008 • Related • Filed Under
go-green-checklist
Go Green Checklist

April 22 is Earth Day, a time to celebrate gains we have made and create new visions to accelerate environmental progress. The push, especially for Americans, to reduce pollution and help save the environment is based on evidence that the decisions we have made, and continue to make, are damaging the air we breathe and the land we live on. What have you been doing to be more “eco-friendly”? If you’re not sure exactly what to do, here are some tips courtesy of kaboose to help you get started living a green lifestyle.

  • Save water by decreasing your shower time — or rather take a bath, which uses less water than a shower.
  • Get in the habit of brushing your teeth with the water off.
  • Recycle – junk mail, cell phones, paper products, plastic bags, and more.
  • Switch from paper and plastic bags to reusable bags and totes.
  • Forget the electric or gas dryer, and hang dry your clothing.
  • Opt for direct deposit, online banking, and paperless statements to reduce your paper usage.
  • Try your hand at composting (planting scraps from fruits, veggies, and coffee grounds outside), which will help create better soil and less landfill waste.
  • Don’t purchase disposable water bottles, but rather use recyclable (and refillable) beverage containers that you can fill with filtered water.
  • Unplug all of your appliances when you leave the house to save energy (and prevent a fire hazard).
  • If possible, take public transportation or walk.
  • Don’t use plastic storage containers, and definitely do not heat food within a plastic container in the microwave.
  • Save stained or ill-fitting clothing to use for dusting and cleaning.
  • Use rechargeable batteries.
  • Rent movies and borrow books, instead of purchasing.
  • Select products made of recyclable materials.
  • If possible, buy items that use less packaging.
  • Buy groceries in bulk, as it reduces packaging and the number of trips you take to the grocer. Purchase a membership to a wholesale club, such as Costco or BJ’s.
  • Purchase locally produced food at farmer’s markets and even road-side stands.
  • Use healthy and environmentally friendly cosmetics, such as mineral-based cosmetics and natural bath products.
  • Purchase organic foods, as they don’t contain pesticides and harmful chemicals, in addition to organic cotton.

Also check out our daily “Eco-Living Tip” from idealbite.com on the right sidebar.

There Are 27 Responses So Far. »

  1. Comment by DNLee on 22 April 2008:

    Perfect post and recommendation. I’m glad to see that Going Green is catching on, especially in the Black Blog-o-sphere.

  2. Comment by Kei on 29 April 2008:

    The tips you posted were definitely helpful! I do my best to remember to turn the water off while brushing my teeth (why do we do that anyway??) It’s true that we should do all we can to help the environment. It’s our home and it’s our responsibility to take care of it as best we can. http://therevealedoasis.blogspot.com/

  3. Comment by Greg Straight on 21 August 2008:

    My site is not yet published but will be soon. I am trying my best to use 100% recycled material for my products and am looking for a graphic to illustrate that to my customers. That brings me to the imabe of the green globe and leaf, I love it and would like to use it on my site with a statement about my earth conscious intentions. Can you please tell me who I could talk to about the chance of using it.
    Thanks,
    Greg Straight.

  4. Comment by Fredric on 21 August 2008:

    @Greg: Check iStockphoto. They have tons of graphics for green initiatives.

  5. Comment by landcr on 11 December 2008:

    can I ask you where you found that green world image? I love it!

  6. Comment by ybpguide on 11 December 2008:

    iStockphoto.com

  7. Comment by cheap electric guitars on 14 December 2008:

    You had a useful list of tips here. Nice! Please post more about go green stuff.

  8. Comment by SEOAlaminos on 23 December 2008:

    as we celebrate we must put on our heart the true meaning of mother earth, nice post

  9. Comment by Rose on 4 January 2009:

    Here is one more go green way to go into your checklist:-

    Recycle our fruit & vegetables waste to make into enzyme solution.
    Please visit:-http://www.gogreenglobal.blogspot.com to learn how you can make your enzyme at home.

  10. Comment by diet on 8 January 2009:

    Hello, for a long time I read your blog, thanks for that that write interesting and
    useful posts.I consider that blogers it is possible to name many journalists.

    Good luck

  11. Comment by diet on 8 January 2009:

    Hello, for a long time I read your blog, thanks for that that write interesting and
    useful posts.I consider that blogers it is possible to name many journalists.

    Good luck

  12. Comment by wholesaleclothing on 14 January 2009:

    The post really nice , i like it ,thanks for sharing,thanks for your post, i will keep read your blog everyday
    wholesale clothing
    wholesale clothing distributors
    wholesale Korean fashion

  13. Comment by wholesaleclothing on 14 January 2009:

    The post really nice , i like it ,thanks for sharing,thanks for your post, i will keep read your blog everyday
    wholesale clothing
    wholesale clothing distributors
    wholesale Korean fashion

  14. Comment by republic clothing on 17 January 2009:

    nice list of gogreen ideas and facts. thank you

  15. Comment by Raw Minerals on 25 January 2009:

    Some great ideas here. Thanks for the list. And speaking of mineral-based cosmetics, there's a free 30-day trial of Raw Minerals running. Sounds like a good way for anyone who wants to see what this kind of product is all about. More info at http://beautysamplesfree.com/category/brand/raw...

  16. Comment by Nutritionals yummi bears on 26 January 2009:

    Now that I read this article I realize that I can't check many of these points. I admit I don't have a green nor healthy lifestyle but I do want to change that. I started focusing on healthy eating but that doesn't necessarily means green so I think I need to find a clear line here to be able to choose the right thing.

  17. Comment by asdfffoasdf33 on 28 January 2009:

    great post thanks!

  18. Comment by nutrition foods on 29 January 2009:

    Thanks for the info. May God have mercy on us all.

  19. Comment by Tub Transfer Bench on 30 January 2009:

    Very nice blog you have here. Bookmarked! :)

  20. Comment by Acai Burn on 1 February 2009:

    Hey Kimberly that was an excellent and complete checklist - thanks!

  21. Comment by Mago on 21 February 2009:

    The information in the post is good and the site is lovely!

    Love the design!

    Thanks.

  22. Comment by Pastry Clothing on 21 February 2009:

    thinking there are so many ways to be helpful to the mother earth,so why people can't do in many ways.please support the earth

  23. Comment by Pastry Clothing on 21 February 2009:

    let people help each other to build a group and helping the earth

  24. Comment by Wholesale Clothing on 23 February 2009:

    I'm also trying my best to use 100% recycled material for my products and am looking for a graphic to illustrate that to my customers.

  25. Comment by Jon Murphy on 24 February 2009:

    I have the perfect go green cleaning cloth. check it out at http://www.gogreen.theultimatecloth.com
    This cloth is sweeping the country like crazy. If you would like to sell the cloth let me know.We also sell to fund raisers.

  26. Comment by online dating on 27 February 2009:

    Great tips.So much for my video purchasing habit! Never thought renting could help the environment.Thanks

  27. Comment by Wholesale Clothing on 5 March 2009:

    The post really nice , i like it ,thanks for sharing,thanks for your post, i will keep read your blog everyday