***New Year, New, Greener You

Big Green Purse by Diane McEachern

The New Year is a good time to start practicing the 3 "R's"; recycle, reduce, and reuse.

Already in the "green" swing? Check out these random tips and resources to up your game!

For even more ideas, check out this blogger's 52 Green Resolutions for 2009!

**GREEN YOUR COMMUTE: Thinking Outside of Your Ride

Carpooling. Is carpooling an option for you? Check out Carolina Commuter, a website devoted to greening South Carolina workers' commutes by promoting carpooling. Carolina Commuter, which was featured on the SC Educational Radio program, SC Business Review (12/17/08), offers an online social-networking venue for Charleston area workers to connect with potential carpool buddies. The site is free for individuals to use and is also available to individual businesses and organizations wanting to promote carpooling within their company workforces for a fee.

Biking to work. Can you live without a car? One local woman is not afraid to try. Check out http://livingcar-free.blogspot.com/ to follow the car-free adventures of "Nikki", a Charleston resident, who uses her bike to get around town.

Bus-riding. CARTA (Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority) offers great savings and options for Charleston area bus riders. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON CARTA!

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE WEBSITE OF CHARLESTON MOVES, A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION PROMOTING WALKING, RUNNING, BIKING, AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN THE LOWCOUNTRY!

The Green Book by Elizabeth Rogers

**WORKPLACE/SCHOOL

B(ring) Y(our) O(wn) _____ : fill in the blanks with anything that replaces a typically disposable item that you would use at work like eating utensils, dishes, coffee cups, water bottles, or drinking glasses, cloth napkins, etc.

BYO lunch in reusable containers and avoid driving off-site ot eat out.

Turn off equipment, lights, computers, etc, whenever possible.

Reduce waste and printing cost by maximizing the use of electronic communications and paperwork.

Reduce waste and pollutants by using nontoxic cleaners around the office like vinegar, non-clorine cleansers, etc.

Recycle office waste - paper, printer cartridges, etc.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE GREEN WORKPLACE TIPS FROM PLANET GREEN.

**EATING OUT

Reduce paper, plastic, and styrofoam waste by eating on-site at restaurants that use reusable dishes and utensils.

Don't be shy about bringing your own stuff to reduce waste.

BYO eating utensils and decline plastic cutlery.

BYO drink or bottle water and avoid ordering drinks in styrofoam or plastic cups. If you purchase a drink, order a smaller size in a paper cup if available.

BYO bag to put your carry-out food in.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE GREEN DINING TIPS FROM THE GREEN PARENT!

The Green Home by Philip Schmidt

**HEARTH AND HOME

Put on a cozy sweater and turn down the thermostat.

Reduce waste and energy by making your own "convenience meals" by dividing casseroles into reusable containers and microwaving individual servings at mealtime. This saves packaging waste and microwaves are more energy efficient (and quicker) for reheating food than stoves.

Recycle. CLICK HERE FOR RECYCLING INFO FROM CHARLESTON COUNTY WASTE AND RECYCLING!

Compost vegetable waste. READ ABOUT ADVENTURES IN COMPOSTING FROM GO GREEN CHARLESTON!

MUSC USES WORMS! CLICK FOR MORE INFO ON MUSC'S RECYCLING AND COMPOSTING AND MUSC'S "VERMICOMPOSTING" TIPS.

Create your own mulch by raking leaves around the bushes and trees in your yard rather than bagging them up or burning them.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE TIPS ON GREENING YOUR YARD FROM EARTH911.


**GREEN LEISURE

Get out and visit a Charleston County Parks and Recreation or other Lowcountry area park for outdoor fun and exercise! CLICK HERE FOR CHARLESTON COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION!

Let Charleston County Public Library be your home entertainment provider! Libraries are naturally a green, shared resource. Why buy when you can borrow from CCPL? Click here to see posts on ways to make using the library part of your greener lifestyle!

Happy New Year!

KS/STA