Get as Green as Your Grandchildren

Children across the country are making "green" behaviors part of their daily lives, and demanding that their parents — and grandparents — do the same. This Earth Day, are you ready to follow your grandchildren's lead and earn a green thumbs-up?

Here are a few simple steps to get you started »

Recycling is one of the simplest ways to help the environment, and the benefits can go a long way. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, recycling just one aluminum container can save enough energy to power a computer for three hours. But there are many other ways you can reduce waste: Buy items in bulk to save on packaging waste. Use refillable water bottles instead of buying bottled water. Try rechargeable batteries. Purchase recycled paper, and use both sides whenever possible. And sign up to pay your bills online so you can stop receiving paper statements in the mail.

The Energy Information Administration reports that home appliances and electronics account for 40 percent of total energy use in U.S. homes. Putting your computer in sleep mode when it's not in use will help the planet — and lower your electricity bill. Plug multiple electronics into a powerstrip and switch it off at night or when not in use. Heating and cooling your home accounts for another 40 percent of energy use. You can save energy and slash winter heating bills by opening the shades on sunny days. In the summer, close the blinds and use a fan to circulate cool air.

Wait until the washing machine and dishwasher are full before running them. And don't prerinse dishes. According to the environmental group Greener Choices, this can save as much as 6,500 gallons of water a year. Recycle water by watering your plants with water left over from boiling eggs or with water left in drinking glasses. And take shorter showers and turn off the faucet when you brush your teeth.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, compact fluorescent light bulbs produce 75 percent less heat than standard incandescent bulbs. CFLs also last 4 to 10 times longer than standard bulbs. If every U.S. home replaced just one regular bulb with a more energy-efficient one, it would save enough energy to light more than 3 million houses for a year.

Billions of plastic shopping bags end up as litter each year, according to the EPA. They take as long as 1,000 years to break down, and they leave toxic residue in soil and waterways. Cut down on plastic-bag consumption by reusing bags from previous trips to the store. Better yet, start shopping with reusable cloth bags.

Several common household products contain harmful chemicals like bleach and ammonia. Their extended use can be harmful to your health. Today, more companies are making nontoxic, biodegradable cleansers, but for a cheaper alternative, make your own. Solutions made with simple ingredients like soap, water, baking soda, vinegar, and lemon juice can clean many household surfaces just as well as name brands.

Americans toss more than 100 million cell phones each year, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council. Electronic trash, such as used phones, computers, and game systems, not only eats up landfill space, but also leaks harmful chemicals into the ground. Check your city government's website to find local drop sites for donating or recycling your old electronics.

U.S. companies send out 19 billion catalogs annually. That’s 53 million trees worth of paper. Do you want to reduce your volume of unwanted catalogs? Visit Catalog Choice and sign up to decline any future catalog mailings you choose. Registration is free.

Find Out More: For additional simple ideas for making your daily life greener, visit Simple Steps, TreeHugger, or New American Dream.