Buying the right products might be the single most important thing you can do for the environment. Each time we purchase something we are voting for a company to continue selling its products. If you think about it our purchase decisions are exactly what got us into the mess we are in today and would certainly be a contributing factor to getting us out of it. So what does this all mean? What products should you buy? How do you know if a product is good for the world? Sticking to products that are made with sustainable materials is the first step towards green purchasing. Be sure that the companies you buy from give back to the communities in which they operate. There is no surefire way to define corporate and social responsibility but there are many companies striving for better ways to do business. I have compiled a list of sites that I recommend for finding out all of the greenest brands below. I think you’ll be surprised at what you find.

You might think it’s common sense. All I need to do is use less paper. Well, yes, you’re right. It’s a very simple concept however we use 680 pounds of paper per person every year in America. That’s over 204,000,000,000 pounds per year in America alone. On top of this only half can be turned into wood pulp, the substance used to make paper. This terribly wasteful process is causing forests all over the globe to shrink at a very fast rate. I would highly recommend using 100% recycled post-consumer waste (PCW) paper whenever possible. There is even tree-free paper becoming more and more available which is a much better alternative. Most companies also offer paperless billing services so they don’t have to waste paper on sending out bills every month.

You should ask your stationery store about tree-free paper, or call Vision Paper at (505) 294 0293 to find out where to get tree-free paper in your area. Also, remember to use less paper towels and toilet paper. Washcloths are a good alternative to using paper towels and lunch boxes are much better than stuffing your lunch in a paper bag.

All these little things add up. If each American could just save one pound of paper per year we would save more than many countries consume per year.

Many studies have been done on the effects that red meat and dairy products have on the environment. One particular study at Carnegie Mellon revealed that replacing red meat and dairy intake with chicken, fish, and eggs reduces emissions equal to driving 760 miles per year.

The reason that eating red meat is so harmful for the environment is because of the methane (25 times more heating than carbon dioxide) and nitrous oxide (300 times more heating) that the cows cause when grazing.

There are many conflicting studies as far discussing whether grass-fed beef is better than grain-fed beef for the environment but we do know that cows evolved to eat grass and that cows do not digest grains properly.

The bottom line is that if you reduce your red-meat intake you will indirectly cause less pollution. Many people argue that global warming is not true. My stance on this issue is that pollution is bad whether the planet is warming or not and nothing should justify polluting our planet. A smoggy sky is a smoggy sky. I challenge you to eliminate red meat for a week - it’s not that tough.

Plastic comes from petroleum, the same thing that gasoline is made from. Using reusable containers is a great step to helping the world become a plastic-free planet. Plastic is in everything these days which make it difficult to completely eliminate plastic from our daily lives. If I were you I would start with simple ways to reduce your plastic usage like using more Tupperware and bringing your own grocery bag when you go shopping for groceries. Using a water bottle is also a great way to start using less plastic. Just remember to be aware of your purchases. Collectively we can make a big difference so tell all your friends about the new habits you are going to be adding to your lifestyle and get them on board. It will only work if we all pitch in so start spreadin’ the word.

Everyone knows how harmful gasoline emissions are for the environment. Why drive if you don’t have to? If you live in a city with public transportation try using it a little more often. Ride a bike to breakfast or dinner or work. You might just be surprised at how much you like the extra release of endorphins throughout the day. Driving less is a no-brainer and we need to stop coming up with excuses. Rather than being in a moving box for a couple hours a day try taking more walks and being more active. Living a more active lifestyle can reduce heart disease, strengthen the immune system, and recent studies have proved that it can even make you happier.

Eating local goes hand-in-hand with using less gas. How do you think those Bananas from Costa Rica got to your grocery store in Joe Shmo, Idaho? Eating local means a better local economy, fresher food, and cleaner skies. Who could ask for more? The only downside is that you’ll need to keep up with what locally grown products are in season. Depending on how serious you are about going green you might even consider eliminating all produce that isn’t locally grown. For example, Oranges don’t grow naturally in New York so if you really want to be serious about eating more local food you might need to give up eating some foods that you really like. I would recommend that you start by buying 25% of your produce from local sources. A great way to get started is to start going to local farmers markets. Most towns and cities have them and you’ll be surprised at how great the food quality is. Remember, the little changes are what matter the most so start small and think big.

Creating an energy saving house is not just about buying all the latest most efficient gadgets. It also has a lot to do with personal habits. Turning the lights off when you leave the room is a very easy way to save electricity. Beware that fluorescent bulbs shouldn’t be turned off unless you are planning on leaving them off for more than 15 minutes, otherwise you may end up using more electricity than if you had kept the lights on.

Opening windows and turning off the heat and AC can save you both a lot of money and a lot of electricity. Even just setting the temperature closer to what it is outside can be a great way to save electricity.

You should add these to your checklist as well:

Only 2.5% of the world’s water supply is freshwater. Over 68% of that water is frozen within glaciers in the north and south poles. We are constantly polluting water we depend on for drinking. This is why it is imperative that we cut down on our water consumption.

There are many different ways to cut down on your water consumption. Shower timers are a great way to keep track of how long you spend in the shower to promote shorter, more efficient bathing routines. Another great way to save water is by using water saving shower heads. They’re not too pricey (you can pick one up for about $20) and they’re extremely efficient. The only down-side is that you give up some water pressure. You should also always remember to turn the water off when brushing your teeth. Even using less water pressure is a good way to ensure that you’re not using too much water.

Not supporting the bottled water industry is also another way to ensure the fight against companies looking to exploit fresh water sources. When water is bottled and shipped away it is never reintroduced into the ecosystem which can deplete local water supplies to the point of devastation. New studies have shown that bottled water is no healthier than tap water and it produces a massive amount of waste, i.e. plastic bottles. Think twice next time you decide to pay 10,000 times more for a bottle of water when you can always just get it from the tap. I highly recommend the documentary Blue Gold if you want to learn more about the abusive water industry and what you can do about it.

New articles of clothing are made everyday - new shirts, shoes, even organic clothes, and bags. However, there is a way to save the environment while giving your wallet a break. Buy used.

There are plenty of store options available for the eco-frugal mind. Some stores include upscale resale items (designer duds at half the price), and lightly worn clothing. Some clothes, bags, and shoes at these stores still have tags on them.

Vintage stores allow customers to explore great fashions while preserving the style of a particular era. Vintage is not only in - but it’s environmentally friendly!

There are always great finds at thrift stores as well as The Salvation Army. These stores not only sell clothing but you can also get anything from new dishware to bed linens to luggage to lampshades.

The best part about buying used is that you are continuing the lives perfectly fine products. If that’s not convincing enough, think about all the bang you can get for your buck.

Organic composting is very easy to implement and there are many added benefits. It not only improves soil structure and helps the soil retain water but it also stimulates root development. It’s a great way to get rid of organic debris like leaves, food waste, and grass clippings and it will increase your vegetable yield.

All you need to do is throw all of your organic compounds in a pile outside and 6-24 months later you will have some compost that will kick the butt of any fertilizer you can buy at home depot. If you turn and mix the compost pile, it will speed up the job. This way you’ll have less trash, more fertilizer, and a happier garden.