Set sprinklers to water the lawn or garden only - not the street or sidewalk.
Use the microwave to cook small meals. (It uses less power than an oven.)
Purchase "Green Power" for your home's electricity. (Contact your power supplier to see where and if it is available.)
Scrape, rather than rinse, dishes before loading into the dishwasher; wash only full loads.
Cut back on air conditioning and heating use if you can.
Turn off appliances and lights when you leave the room.
With so many people thinking globally, you hear a lot of about businesses going green.
At Green Alternatives in Norfolk's Ghent, they've taken it to a whole other level. Everything for sale is manufactured in the way least harmful to the planet.
The owners, a mother and daughter team, spend a lot of time researching the practices of the companies that supply their store.
"Before we order it, we make sure it is not tested on animals, that it's made out of a recycled material if possible, but if not, definitely a sustainable material,” explains Amanda Mason. “We make sure that it's biodegradable if possible, just in general safe for the environment."
Shoppers like Robyn Mathas appreciate their efforts.
"I think it’s kind of neat that they really promote recycling and so I came to look at these bags that you can actually carry into the grocery store with you and put your groceries into instead of using the plastic bags at the store," she said.
The store doesn't stop at providing green items. Shoppers are encouraged to live green as well.
To show their commitment to promoting environmentally sound practices, customers using a canvas bag or riding a bicycle into the store get a discount.
So as you can see, the bottom line for green alternatives isn't just about dollars, its about sense... Good environmental sense.
"We hope to by the spring hold workshops free to the public, just to educate them on anything from composting to rain barrels to what they can and cannot recycle, things like that," Mason says.
Helping people live "greener" lives may be their greatest measure of success, says owner Frances Clarkson.
"That's what I want this store to be, a place where people can exchange information and learn from each other."
Green Alternatives and Computer Recycling of Virginia will hold an e-cycling event the first weekend in January. You can bring in your old computer and electronics equipment for proper recycling or disposal. That way, they won't end up in the landfill.
It's January 5 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and January 6 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Green Alternatives is located at 1905 Colonial Avenue in Norfolk's Ghent section.
