Small changes can increase the quality of your life and benefit the environment. Recycling is the easiest step to make and reduces the amount of waste added to landfills. Properly disposing of toxic chemicals and batteries helps to keep groundwater free of contaminants. Switching to more energy efficient light bulbs and appliances is both economically and environmentally beneficial. With a small investment of time and money, a garden will reward you with delicious produce and the satisfaction of being more self-sufficient.Didn’t catch that? This explains it.

When remodeling, choosing low-e replacement windows and replacing your heating and cooling system with a more energy-efficient model can increase the value of your home dramatically while lowering your utility bills. Wherever possible, choose materials that are from renewable and sustainable sources. Be aware that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted from many glues, paints, and furnishings; these are often toxic to animals and humans, reduce indoor air quality, and may trigger allergic reactions.

There are literally hundreds of ways to incorporate green living practices into your lifestyle with minimal effort and expense. Walking to the corner-store once in a while will help get you more active and reduce the use of fossil fuels. Small steps such as these will improve the quality of your life and of the planet!