Easing into Eco-Friendliness: Eco Living Articles: Eco20/20

Easing into Eco-Friendliness

If you've never ridden a bike, making a commitment to bike to work every day is likely to end with a barely-used bike at a yard sale, and a sheepish 'well, I tried', when you didn't.

Don't set yourself up to fail. The habits of going green can grow easily if you embrace changes that fit your lifestyle. Jumping into a green habit you find wholly alien isn't the way to go. First learn where your brakes are, then give yourself a gentle push, and then build up a little speed.

Green your household - gently.

* Make an easy start with one, two or just a few of these ideas: Bring your own bags to the grocery. Use a microfiber cloth in place of paper towels. Use vinegar to clean glass and other shiny surfaces, baking soda and salt to scrub, and peroxide to kill mildew. Wrap an insulation blanket around your water heater to lower its running cost.

* When you are ready to build on that: Make the choice to buy organic, maybe not every time, but more often. Switch to LED lightbulbs. If you have a home appliance that's looking battered, do the planet a favor and choose an energy-star replacement. Plant a tree.

* When (if) you're comfortable with a bigger step: Technology buffs should consider a residential wind turbine or solar energy array, or if you're property includes running water, look into a hydrokinetic turbine. If a garden is more your line, that's a hobby with its own natural line of progression; from tubs on the windowsills, to a horticultural paradise. Learn which plants love acid, so you can toss your coffee grounds on those. Then add a compost bin as soon as you're up to it.

Green your daily habits - step by step

* Little things add up; choose one or two to start off: Don't run hot water to heat the bathroom - get a low-energy space heater. Use less energy in winter by putting on a sweater and even a hat indoors, to contain body heat more efficiently. Bring your own mug to coffee shops and work. Switch from disposable water bottles to a refillable. If you have internet at home, reduce your shopping trips by researching online. Recycle!

* While driving, look ahead far enough to judge traffic lights, so you can slow down a little sooner. If you're hitting your brakes every time you approach a stop, you're wasting the gas it took you to accelerate. Coasting when you know you won't make the light - or when there's a stop sign ahead - will save gas and brake-linings. Also check the pressure in your tires once a month. Maintaining proper tire inflation can improve mileage.

* To build on your progress: Replace plastic diapers with cloth. Become a saver of packing material. If you're artistic, get creative with junk. Mail boxes, shelving units, watering cans and planters are being made from colorful scrap-metal. Baskets are being made from wire scrape.

* When you're ready: Start using a bike for short trips to the store or to get to work if the trip is short. If the commute is substantial, start a carpool or get an eco-friendly car or one of the new three-wheel commuter-friendly (crossbred-with-an-eco-car-looking) motorbikes.

Making a green commitment is a lot like a making a New-Years' resolution; If you make one that's pre-doomed to fail, any little strain is going to snap it. Choose wisely when you're choosing where to start going green.