[vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_custom_heading text=”Happy Earth Day!” font_container=”tag:h4|font_size:28px|text_align:left|line_height:30px” google_fonts=”font_family:PT%20Sans%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/2″]
There are hundreds of simple, little things you can do to become environmentally friendly. Even better, you may save some money doing so. In honor of Earth Day, we chose our top five unique, easy and inexpensive ways for you to go green.

1. Use reusable bags. We’re all guilty of it. One plastic bag slowly turns into a storage war of shopping bags in your kitchen. If you already have a strong collection of plastic bags, you can donate them at grocery stores, such as Wal-Mart, where they will be reused or recycled. In order to avoid this entirely, incorporate reusable shopping bags into your shopping routine.  Also, keep them in your car so you don’t forget to use them!
2. Wash laundry in cold water. As much as 85 percent of the energy used to power washing machines goes into heating the water. Tide has created some products that actually require less detergent, but still give you the same results. Your energy bill may be a little cheaper at the end of the month too!
3. Unplug unused appliances. Appliances that have a light emitting diode (LED) glow even after you turn it off continues to draw out power that you end up paying for. This includes TVs, cell phone chargers and printers. By unplugging these appliances, you could save up to $200 a year. It’s that simple.
4. Shop at your local farmer’s market.  On average, grocery store products travel 1,500 miles, which causes a heavy load of burnt fossil fuels and carbon emissions. By shopping at farmer’s markets, you’ll be supporting your local economy, saving energy and eating some of the freshest and delicious food available.
5. Recycle old electronics. Did you know that the average American household has at least three cell phones stashed in a drawer? According to the EPA, Americans threw away 5.5 billion pounds of electronics in 2005 (And that was just 7 years ago). These unused stereos, cell phones and computers emit chemicals and slowly waste away. Today, it’s easier than ever to rid of your unused appliances. You can recycle electronics, donate them at grocery or appliance stores, or even sell them online at sites such as greenphone.com or gazelle.com.

Some other quick ways to go green in your everyday life include donating to thrift stores, reusing scrap paper, using a reusable water bottle, paying bills online, and collecting rain water for your plants and garden.[/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image css_animation=”” image=”431″ border_color=”” img_link_large=”” link=”http://cabotsusq.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/cabot-tote.jpg” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”medium”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Hopefully by now you can see that being eco-friendly is not difficult. By incorporating ideas like these into your everyday routine can really help make a difference in your life, community and world.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]For even more green tips, visit these links:[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]http://www.worldwatch.org/node/3915http://simplemom.net/tips-to-go-green-at-home/http://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/remodeling/eco-friendly/easy-ways-to-go-green/#page=5Chelsea Sweithelm – Intern, External Affairs for Cabot[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]