Water

Its amazing to see the number of ways we can buy water now a days. Bottled, flavored, vitamin and minerals added, sugar added etc. Millions of plastic water bottles are used everyday around the world. And these water bottles are often made of flimsy plastics. The plastics used in the water bottles are often questioned for its quality and a lots of warning is out there today about freezing the bottles or prolonged use of the water bottles.

Today, stop or reduce using bottled water. There are so many ways to reduce the usage of these bottles. Buy bigger water containers and refill a good quality reusable bottle. Use bottle filters (Fill& go from Brita is a good one)

With summer approaching and temperatures soaring, always be sure you have a reusable bottle handy at all times, so you don't end up buying bottled water when you get thirsty.

If you really like flavored water, try using some organic fruit extracts to flavor your water.

Paints and Chemicals

Don't put batteries, antifreeze, paint, motor oil, or chemicals in the trash. Use proper toxic material disposal sites. Never buy more than you need.

Charity organizations are always happy to take extra and left over paints. So, please do round up all that extra paint sitting in the house, call a charity today or drop it off at a local charity location.

Used stuff

A great way to go green - go used!

Look around the house, if you have tons of used CDs, vidoes, DVDs that you have not used over a few months, the chances are, you will never use them. There are great ways to now sell, donate these items. Craigslist & FreeCycle are great resources. You can also buy used materials as much as possible. Using MP3 players and purchasing mp3 music online, can also reduce use of disc plastics.

Today , jus take 20 mins to clear out that stack of media and books you have been hoarding for years.

Spring Gardening - 1

Going to the nursery to buy a bunch of plants? Take a cardboard box or tray with you. Avoid getting the plastic containers. If you do end up bringing them with you, take them back to the nearest nursery or be sure to at least recycle them. Reducing the amount of plastic your bring back is always a good idea.

Always remember - Reuse, Recycle, Reduce.

Watch for a whole series of Spring Gardening tips this week.

Coffee Cups - overuse & abuse

A simple act, but great impact!

How many us wonder where coffee cups we get from coffee shops go? (as estimate 1.5 billion paper cups are used at Starbucks alone, per year) How much do we know about the cups and if its made from recycled paper? Or how many of these cups are even being thrown in recycle bins? Do we ever see recycle bins in coffee shops?

Well, one my friends, did think about it. She noticed that most coffee shops provide 2 cups if you ask for extra hot beverages. Yes, 2 cups! The one in the bottom is practically unused and thrown away by most people, a lot of them do not even notice the extra cup. She made it a point to collect these cups and return them for reuse. What a thoughtful way, and a simple act, yes powerful message to most of the onlookers at the store. In fact, this thoughtful person will soon be joining us to contribute to Stay Green today and share some valuable thoughts on leading a green life!

So few things we can do TODAY when we pick up that cup of Jo.
GREEN WAYS to enjoy a cup of COFFEE !

• Try to use reusable coffee mugs (there are tons of options out there.. and most are dishwasher friendly too)
• Sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee - like french people do (you will barely find to-go stuff in the city of Paris) and this will totally avoid use of to-go cups and the plastic lids. Hey, slowdown once in a while. Most coffee shops offer ceramic / porcelain cups if you sit down.
• If you still need to use the to-go cup, make sure you recycle them.
• If you buy a hot beverage - use the little sleeve and avoid using a second cup. The seleeves are mostly made from from recycled paper.
• Choose coffee shops that have a recycle bin, or choose coffee shops that use recycled paper to make their cups.
• Do not take more than one or two napkins. If you spill a lot of coffee, even a hundred napkins are not going to help. For practical reasons, a few drops of spill, just one napkin will do just fine.
• Use the sugar dispenser and avoid the packaged paper wrapped sugar. Do not open more than you need.
  
  Interesting reads:
  
  Starbucks recycle information
  
  Eco-tip: Coffee cups - Treehugger