Three Ways To Be Green And Save Green

When many Americans first hear about “going green,” they may think this means they’ll be dropping a lot more cash for everyday needs and wants. But not so!  There are simple ways to SAVE money by going green! Here are a few ways to be green and save your green.

1.   Don’t drive, walk  Is the grocery store just down the road? Walk. Is work just a bit too far to walk? Ride your bike.  Not only will you be saving money on gas and vehicle maintenance, you’ll also be saving the atmosphere from those harsh emissions. Taking many short driving trips which could just as easily be walked is a severe drain on your pocketbook which also contributes to the degradation of our natural environment.

2.   Shop green  From diapers to cleaning products to food, there are so many ways to shop green and save money. There are a multitude of green-centered companies out there, like The Honest Company  and Seventh Generation. Companies like these specialize in providing quality green products at an affordable price.  You’ll save a bundle on pricey, non-biodegradable products, and you’ll refrain from filling up your local landfill.

3.   Turn off the lights  Electricity usage is another environmental threat that also costs the average person a large sum of money every year. Keep the lights off if you’re not in the room or using them. Unplug appliances or electronics when not in use. Turn off the TV and go outside! These simple steps will keep your utility bills lower, and your electricity usage down. Win-win!

Like any endeavor, the prospect of going green will be as financially beneficial as you make it, and through a combination of thorough research, innovation and open mindedness you can save the environment and save money at the same time!

To listen to 97.5 Y-Country’s Wild Bill and Honor’s Scott McFarland talk about how to go green and save green, listen to the Mason Jar Monday episode below.

Four Ways Your Small Business Can "Go Green"

While giving back to the environment should be a priority every day of the year, it is especially so this week.  Earth Day was yesterday, April 22, and many people and businesses are looking for ways they can become more eco-conscious.  Here are four small steps you can take to turn your small business “green.”

1. While going paperless is the ultimate goal, there will most likely always be some instances where paper is necessary for your business.  When you must use paper, use a post consumer-waste (PCW) product.  This is paper made entirely of recycled paper and has a recycling symbol on the packaging.
2. Use biodegradable cleaners.  Using natural cleaners not only is better for the body in terms of exposure to toxins, but also reduces the amount of toxins that get released into the environment as we’re doing something as seemingly simple as just cleaning the office.
3. Replace traditional light bulbs with compact-fluorescent or LED lights.  They may cost more upfront, but last longer than traditional light bulbs reducing the amount of waste that result from replacing more often.
4. Place recycling stations right next to every community trash can in the office.  The more your team sees the recycling station, the more they will be thinking about and the more things will get recycled.  To encourage use, you can even have internal competition or incentive on who recycles the most each month!

Taking care of the planet has become more of a priority in the mind of consumers, and by following these simple steps your small business can give back to the environment, too!  Do you have any other ways your business is going green?  Share them with us on twitter @honorcu using #askhonorcu!

Listen to Honor’s Scott and 97.5 Y-Country’s Wild Bill talk about more ways you can “go green” in this week’s Mason Jar Monday! 

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