3 Ways To make Your Home a Green Home

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There are more ways than ever to go green when it comes to your home, and we're not just talking about big, high tech investments like solar panels. There are a lot of simple, easy ways to make your home more eco-friendly. Here are just 3 examples of how can start making your home a green home today.

Green Appliances

If you've got electrical appliances that have been sitting around for 10 or more years, it's time to replace them, says the Environmental Protection Agency. Appliances today account for about 18% of a typical household's energy bill, and the refrigerator takes the top spot for number 1 energy guzzling appliance. So look for the "Energy Star" logo when you go shopping for a new fridge. According to Energy Star's site, if just one in 10 households switched to energy efficient appliances, it would be equivalent to planting 1.7 million acres of trees.

Bamboo Instead of Hardwood

If you're thinking of replacing your old beat-up fence or installing new wooden flooring, why not consider a greener option to the traditional hardwood materials? Bamboo rugs are perfect. Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants in the world and yields many times more building material per harvest than logging does. Because bamboo forests mature, die and regenerate so quickly, they can be harvested regularly without damaging the environment. By contrast, a hardwood forest can take over a hundred years to recover after it's been cut down. In addition, bamboo looks great and is about 3 times stronger than many hardwoods.

Use Less Paper

Everything from greeting cards to printing paper to toilet paper, you can now by it made from "tree-free" 100% recycled paper. Buying recycled paper products reduces paper waste and reduces virgin pup use. Other ways of reducing paper use include removing yourself from junk mail lists. Around 44% of junk mail gets thrown away, unopened and unread, and becomes paper waste. You can also help buy buying unbleached paper, which creates harmful byproducts like dioxins. And lastly, next time you're asked at the grocery checkout counter whether you want paper or plastic, say neither. Carry your own, reusable cloth grocery bags.