I’ve asked myself that question many times recently and found that it’s really difficult to give myself a straight answer.  I have certainly made a few small changes in my life that some would say make me “eco-aware” or “eco-conscious”. I’m recycling at home and in the office, I’ve ceased taking baths and only take showers, I reuse plastic bags I receive at the grocery store and printed paper as scrap paper. I’m definitely more aware of the footprint I leave behind and even try to drive my car at a more consistent speed to minimize my use of fuel. I feel as if I am leaving a smaller footprint than I was 5 years and 10 years ago but how much am I really helping my environment? I know I am no Ed Begley Jr. but I’m also not driving a Hummer, idling in traffic or wasting water and paper.

I feel like my possessions have increased as a direct result of my being green. I hold onto anything that could be possibly re-used. Printed manuals and materials I always think can be repurposed, boxes are piling-up in my storage unit and home and my desk at work has small piles of papers I’m waiting to jot notes on memo phone calls. Bigger items have been much easier to find homes. Working electronics can always be recycled at local-run recycling drives or given away or sold. If you buy a new mattress or a new computer, most retailers will remove the old one regardless of whether or not it still works. However, there are dozens of items that definitely fall into the category “I should reuse but I have too much of this crap”.

I used to reuse my supermarket shopping bags as pet waste bags but quickly realized I am helping no one that way. So what do I do with the bags I have already put aside? How about that stacks of paper that I can definitely use for scrap? Who writes anymore? I send everything electronically because it means I have a record of it somewhere. I can only take so many phone messages and write them down on paper. What else can I do with it?

Now that I have been so very honest, please do not start sending me links and articles for the wealth of info out there. The truth is, I am already aware but there truly is a wealth of info to go through. My favorite thus far is guide National Geographic produces called the Green Guide. (http://www.thegreenguide.com/) There’s also an app on Facebook called “I am Green” (http://www.facebook.com/iamgreen) that puts you in touch with other FB users that are also attempting to green-up their lives.

All in all, I do my best everyday to be greened than I was the day before. I don’t know if I am officially green yet but I am trying to get there.

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