More stuff is able to go into the recycling bin these days than ever before. Follow the guidelines for acceptable materials and do your part. Also, make choices to buy things that are not over-packaged or packaged in materials that are recyclable.

Many communities also have hazardous waste pick-up or drop-off centers. This kind of waste is bad for the environment if you just put it in the trash. Many have heavy metals that cause all kinds of problems. Certain types of hazardous waste which can be processed include: batteries (highly toxic and acidic), smoke detectors (radioactive elements within), electronic bulbs (monitors, TVs and fluorescent bulbs contain toxic substances which can escape), fuels, petrochemicals, paints, chemicals, acids, medicines and so on.

Create Compost

If it's organic, it's compost. Get a proper composter. If you have a farm or a yard, just toss your peels, cores and other plant waste in a pile. Stir it up every now and again. In a year, you will have some great soil to add to your garden. Keep the bones and fats out. They just mess up the good compost.

Some communities collect organic waste of any kind and process it. Find out what's going on in your community. If it's not enough, start a campaign to get more services brought in.

Clean Up Your Neighbourhood

Pick up the trash around your neighbourhood. It may be somebody else's job, but if it's there for days and days, chances are "somebody else" isn't going to pick it up. Get a bunch of people together and make a day of it. Everybody doing a little gets a whole lot done in a short time. Everybody benefits. Clean up the graffiti too.

New York subway minders discovered the best way to curb visual pollution is to clean it up fast by putting a fresh layer of paint on graffiti right away. Graffiti and tagging lose their effect when they don't get seen. By making it disappear, the vandals are frustrated at the waste of time. It takes a while to break the cycle, but it works.

Batteries Not Included

Buy items that don't use batteries or energy. There are actually toys for kids out there that are fun, environmentally friendly and don't bleed you dry for new batteries every couple of days.

Conserve Water

Use less water. Take shorter, cooler showers. Don't flush the toilet on every visit to the bathroom. Don't water the lawn or garden like there's no tomorrow. Many communities have restrictions on water use for good reason. Most water is simply wasted anyway. Spot watering is more useful.

The Grass Is Always Greener

Stop with the pesticides and herbicides already! More communities are banning these toxins for a reason; they are affecting the water supply. Just where do you think the stuff is going anyway? Green lawns are not worth getting cancer over. Get used to a few weeds or start pulling them by hand. It's good exercise. Just don't forget your hat and sun block.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Swap your old light bulbs for compact fluorescent bulbs. Carry your own cloth or re-usable shopping bags around. Return coat hangers to the cleaners. Use a refillable coffee cup. Plant some trees and shrubs.

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easy being green?

Want more ideas? Use your favourite search engine and search using this keyword phrase: "how you can save the environment". Remember, saving the earth starts at home.