First, have a party during the daytime. This way you can use the light of the sun. You won’t have to use electricity to light up your party this way. If you do have a party that goes into the night, consider going with some nice soy candles. They will give you light, you won’t waste electricity, and they provide a great ambiance for your celebration as well.

Another way to go green this Fourth of July is to go outdoors for your celebration. Instead of renting a big room that you have to decorate, just have the party outside. The landscaping can be the décor that you need. Choose an area where there is some shade, put up some tables and chairs, and have a great party to celebrate.

Instead of using paper items of plastic items for your party, go with nice dishes that are reusable. You can go with nice glass dishes for an adult party or go with plastic reusable plates if you are going to have kids around. Using reusable cups and silverware will help cut down on all the waste for that day.

If you want to decorate it, do it in an eco friendly way. Go with a nice centerpiece for your tables. Consider something like flowers in a basket or vase, some floating candles in bowels, or even purchase some small flags to display. They can be used again and again, so don’t throw them away.

Think green when it comes to the refreshments for your Fourth of July celebration as well. Go with fruits and vegetables that are organic to serve all the guests and go with dishes made of whole foods. Try to avoid going with pre-packaged foods so you don’t have as much waste and you cut back on calories too. The environment will thank you and so will the waistline of all of your guests.

These are some simple things that are easy to do on the Fourth of July. Use these tips and ideas this year. You will avoid having a negative impact on the environment. It is also a great way to help teach friends and family members about the green lifestyle that you have chosen too, so you can pass on great information about living an eco friendly life.

And if the Great Pacific Garbage Patch wasn’t enough bad news in a sea of earthquakes, plane crashes, and oil spills, the Great Atlantic Garbage Patch has just been recently discovered. Just like its Pacific counterpart, it is a floating landfill of human garbage, mainly plastic products.

Its specific location has been pinpointed as the area between Bermuda and the Azores Islands, both of which are in the area known as the Sargasso Sea. If the name sounds familiar, it is because the Sargasso Sea is where the legend of the Bermuda Triangle takes place. So now, not only is the Sargasso Sea the graveyard for lost ships and airplanes, it is also the graveyard of our garbage. Call it ironic, indeed.

The Great Atlantic Garbage Patch was discovered by Anna Cummins and Markus Eriksen during their trip to the Sargasso Sea. The duo took samples of the water from the seabed every 100 miles to determine the sea’s composition. Sadly, each time their nets came up, large plastic hauls were present.

Admittedly, many of the plastic materials were hardly the size of pencil erasers. But one must remember that even a small piece of plastic lodged in the digestive system of a small sea animal or a bird can mean the difference between life and death for that creature.

Indeed, this new oceanic garbage patch presents numerous hazards to marine life, fishing activities and tourism in and around the areas concerned. Lest we think that only the Bermudas and the Azores Islands will be affected, think again. Many of the plastic trash in the Great Atlantic Garbage Patch will find their way into distant shores, thus, wreaking more havoc along the way.

So, just how destructive is plastic to marine life and everything that depends on it like the creatures of the land and air that feed on them? Consider these facts: In some areas of the ocean, the ratio between plastic and plankton in terms of weight is 6 is to 1. Of the 200 billion pounds of plastic produced each year, approximately 10 percent will end up in the oceans, of which 70 percent will float down to the ocean floor and 30 percent will form the visible garbage patch that we see on the Atlantic and Pacific oceans today.

As even a fifth grader can imagine, marine wildlife is killed so much so that 100,000 of these creatures, big and small, will die as a result of the oceanic garbage patches. But that damage does not stop there. Plastic debris damage boat and submarine equipment; bury beaches in mountains of trash; and affect the fishing catch of the commercial fishermen.

What can you do to help lessen the trash on these great oceanic garbage patches?
Well, stop drinking bottled water, for starters. And then, you can also organize a recycling drive in your neighborhood. Every little bit of plastic disposed the right way will have an impact on the environment.

It will take hundreds of years for a single discarded pen to decompose - switch to a refillable pen.

Even with the advent of the so-called paperless society, thanks to computers and the Internet, there are still many things, transactions and technologies that need the old-fashioned pen and paper to complete. You have to sign documents ranging from credit card authorizations to formal contracts and everything else in between of various values.

Unfortunately, the use of pen and paper also has a negative environmental impact. Since many articles have already been devoted to the impact of paper, let’s focus on the mighty pen. It is mighty not only to effect change in societies through ideas put to paper but it can also change environments via waste filling up our landfills.

Consider the Statistics
In September 2005, Bic announced that it has sold its 100 billionth disposable pen. If that boggles your mind, just think of the billions more of disposable ballpoint pens manufactured by other companies. To place 100 billion in perspective, think of placing the pens end to end. Now, imagine that the world is literally in your hands. You will discover that the arranged pens can circle the globe 348 times!

And to think that Americans alone purchase a staggering 106 billion disposable ballpoint pens on an annual basis. We shudder to think of just how many pens the world’s two most populous countries – China and India – spend on said pens.

Consider the Impact
In our society where the hunger for instant satisfaction is only matched by the need for instant disposal, pens are thrown away like so much trash just about anywhere. Pens are thrown in drawers, in garbage bags and even by the wayside. And we are not talking about used pens with zero ink in them because most full pens are disposed for no reason at all. Admit it – you have been guilty of such an act many times before and with no thought as to its environmental impact.

So, what is the environmental impact of our careless disposing of pens? Well, think of it this way: The disposable pens will end up in landfills, waterways and in other unforeseen areas where a ticking time bomb will start counting down. Keep in mind that pens are made from plastic that many of us know by now to be non-biodegradable. This means that it will take hundreds of years for a single discarded pen to decompose. Now, when you add 105 billion pens used and discarded per year from the American population alone, you are looking at polluted groundwater and soil.

Unfortunately, there are no known ways to recycle the discarded pens. You can transform them into works of art but it will still be thrown away sooner or later. And the cycle of environmental destruction continues – all because we love our disposable pens. So, what is an environment-loving individual with a liking for pen and paper to do? Well, you should shift to refillable pens.

With proper care, your refillable pen will last for many years to come in your hands. Thus, you will not be adding to the waste in the landfills, not to mention that you can save on the cost of numerous pens bought over the years. Now, that is what we call harnessing the power of the refillable pen for the benefit of the environment, in a manner of speaking.

Don’t Throw Away those Old Mattresses
Think of the many uses from that old mattress. If you don’t want it, there is somebody who wants it. Donate it or give it away. Just don’t dump it anywhere. You can sell it to junk shops buying recyclable items. The wooden frames can still be salvaged and used as fuel, the springs can be converted and the cotton still has practical uses in industrial applications.

Dumping it improperly poses hazards to the environment because mattresses are loaded with flame retardant chemicals. These chemicals can seep into the ground, poisoning the soil and the waterways. Imagine a landfill with millions of old mattresses; that should be enough to jolt you awake to the hidden dangers of improper disposal of mattresses.

Recycling programs can help you with your old mattress. In the US, try Earth911.org; in Australia, there is the Dreamsafe Recycling Program, and in Canada, they have MattCanada. To dispose your old mattress you have to pay a small fee – this is nothing compared to what you can do save the planet. If you are living outside of these places, Google the recycling programs in your country.

Old Tires
Look around for recycling programs in your area and sell them your old tires. Old tires are transformed to flower pots, building blocks, and roofing. A car tire yields four liters of oil, and a kilogram of steel and reusable combustible gas.

Paints
Avoid spilling left-over paint on the ground. Paint is loaded with lead that poisons the soil and the chemicals eventually reach water sources deep down in the soil. Paint brushes should not be washed in the sink, these should be treated correctly. You can ask your recycling program center what to do with your paint. Call the manufacturer; these companies have recycling programs to recycle or reuse paint. If you have a clump of paint, wrap it and throw it to your trash without putting the lid back on.

Batteries
Used batteries are considered hazardous waste. Once your batteries lose power, wrap it. Don’t place it in your bag because it may rupture and leak. Oftentimes there are no drop-off points for old batteries. Write to the manufacturer and inquire about their disposal program. They can advise you and this information must be passed on to your friends and to the community.

Button batteries for hearing aids, watches and greeting cards, batteries for video cameras, wheelchairs and power tools, vehicles, metal detectors, and cameras are classified as hazardous waste and must be disposed of properly.

Knowing what to do with your old stuff can help you help the environment and that is what matters most in these environmentally critical times.

Reduce Food Waste
Your grocery bill may constitute more than 50 percent of your total household bills. Thus, any and all efforts to reduce food wastes will add up to big benefits to your pockets and to the environment for many reasons. You can achieve this end by:

• Lessening your food consumption in terms of shopping for groceries.
• Using leftovers for new dishes and enforcing a no-dregs policy
• Planning meals in advance to avoid too much leftovers

Use Heaters Wisely
We are so dependent on hot water for many of our needs from washing our bodies to washing our dishes and clothes. Well, go green by choosing cold water for many activities in the house. Start by taking cold showers when the weather permits instead of hot tub baths. Then progress into using unheated tap water for washing your hands, dishes and clothes. Studies have shown that tap water is just as effective in killing germs as hot water. The trick is in washing your hands properly for 20 seconds, soaking the clothes for 30 minutes to remove stubborn dirt and washing off the dregs on the eating utensils before placing on a full dishwasher.

Unplug the Appliances
You can save as much as 10-15 percent of your electricity bill simply by unplugging the cords from their sockets when these are not in use. This is because so-called phantom electricity does not flow from the grid into your appliances. And speaking of appliances, you can save money by either buying ones with the Energy Star logo or ones that have been refurbished. Of course, make sure that the refurbished appliances are also energy-efficient. You ought to save money in the long run instead of sticking to your run-down appliances. However, do recycle said old appliances with the manufacturers or with the recycling centers.

You can also find ways to save money on the accessories associated with your appliances. For example, you can exchange CDs, DVDs and computer games with your family and friends, or even with strangers via dedicated online sites.

Use Recycled Materials for Your Home
As much as possible, use recycled materials for your home. You can purchase scrap lumber from hardware stores, vintage wood and glass panels from garage sales and old houses, utensils and ornaments made of recycled materials from green stores and sites, to name a few options. You will often spend less on these items and yet get as much mileage as you possibly can from them. Better yet, you should adopt the motto of environmentalists everywhere – reduce, reuse and recycle. You will soon find that indeed being eco-friendly has its rewards for you and for your children’s children.

Starting today, do look around your home and see what else needs to be done to be as environmentally-friendly as possible. And earn as well as save money while you are at it!

1. Lessen Water Waste – There are many ways to lessen water consumption in the home without sacrificing material comforts.  First, take more showers instead of tub baths, which will also save on heating costs.  Second, add a 2-liter water-filled bottle into an old toilet’s water tank to lessen quantity of water used with every flush.  Third, use a glass for brushing your teeth.  Every little drops of water helps!

2. Replace Incandescent Bulbs – Fluorescent bulbs do the job of lighting up your home just as well as incandescent bulbs, so replace the latter today.  Plus, you will enjoy the benefits of 75 percent less energy consumption with 10 times longer life with fluorescent bulbs.

3. Install Programmable Thermostat – You will be able to save on energy costs simply because you can program said thermostat to reflect your immediate needs for heating and cooling energy.  Plus, its energy-saving feature adds up in the long run.

4. Install Eco-Friendly Faucets and Shower Heads - Low-flow faucets and shower heads will save on water and, hence, your utility bill. Shower heads are easier to install but replacing your old faucets for a cost will pay for itself.

5. Become a Gardener – Not only will you be able to grow your own organic food but you will also be able to lessen your carbon footprints.  Plus, it does look nice having a small garden to look forward to at the end of the day for exercise and stress relief.

6. Look Into Eco-Friendly Insulation – You can either apply organic insulation such as recycled denim, recycled cellulose fiber and even soy materials or revamp windows using double panes or embrace weather stripping.  All of these options will lessen energy costs while ensuring that you are comfortable in your home.

7. Opt for Low-VOC Products – When undertaking a DIY project involving paint, stains and other chemical substances, opt for the low-VOC products.  Ask the salesperson for assistance, do your research and just take the time to read labels.

8. Make Your Own Organic Home Products – In the same vein as growing your own food to some extent, you can also lessen your consumption of the Earth’s resources and lessen your grocery bill by making your own products for the home.  For example, look into homemade oral hygiene and home cleaning products using common ingredients like baking soda and vinegar.

9. Composting – You will only need a vacant portion of the backyard to make your own compost.  It will definitely do wonders for your garden, not to mention lessen our dependence on synthetic fertilizers.

10. Solar Power – You can always build solar panels for use in water and house heating.  Don’t worry about costs as you can always avail of tax rebates and financial assistance.  Or you can follow the example of Ma Yanjun, a Chinese farmer, who used interconnected beer bottles to harness solar power.

With a little ingenuity and plenty of concern for the environment, not to mention an eye on your energy expenditure, you can live as green as possible.

The savings you have in water consumption are well worth the price of a collection tank

Rainwater is precious simply because it is water. You can use it for a variety of purposes from watering the plants to washing the clothes and even taking a bath. It is clean, clear and free. Still, not so many homes have rainwater tanks because of the misconception that these containers are ugly additions to the house. This is not true nowadays because of the availability of rainwater tanks in various shapes, sizes, colors and materials to suit every style preference and water need.

Plastic Tanks
We have been around plastic products for so long that there is bound to be one in every category. This is true of rainwater tanks made out of food grade plastic, which is also called polyethylene. The advantages of plastic tanks are that it is relatively light, durable and affordable. You only need to place it on a sand base to start usage, which can last anywhere from 15 to 25 years. You can purchase them at bargain basement prices especially from online sites.

Unfortunately, plastic tanks are made from petrochemicals. As any eco-friendly consumer knows, petrochemicals are not exactly the friendliest of materials to work with where Mother Nature is concerned. But if you can have it recycled, your conscience can be assuaged.

You may also have issues with the taste of the water especially under the hot sun, which many have described as, well, plastic-y. We suggest not drinking the water in this case just to be on the safe side.

Steel Tanks
Galvanized tanks have been with our society for at least 150 years. You will discover that these are often the most affordable water tank although durability may be a minus factor. Most of steel tanks will last for a maximum of 5 years before rust sets in.

The 5-year life expectancy does not apply to all galvanized tanks. You will find top-of-the-line steel tanks that will last for 10-15 years like Zincalume. Colorbond claims a 20-year life soan but it can be substantially shortened by deep paint scratches leading to faster corrosion.

Concrete Tanks
You can install concrete water tanks either above or below the ground, either of which has its merits. For example, if you install the tank below the ground, you can save space but if you can install it above the ground, you will be able to save time on cleaning the tank.

No matter the location of the water tank, you must place a polyethylene liner all around the interior of the concrete material. This way, lime will not leach and you will not end up with alkaline water. Plus, you may have problems with corrosion of the steel framework without the liner.

Fiberglass Tanks
Fiberglass is very durable materials for rainwater tanks in addition to being unaffected by chemicals. You may also install them above or below the ground. However, fiberglass tanks are more prone to algae growth and tend to crack easily. These issues are usually solved by painting the tank and making regular inspections, respectively.

Ultimately, your choice in the materials for the rainwater tank will depend on your budget as well as your sense of environmentalism. No matter which tank you choose, however, it cannot be denied that the savings you have in water consumption are well worth the price of the tank.

According to estimates, every American produces an average of 7.5 pounds of trash on a daily basis. This number may seem little but when you add it up, said waste will amount to one ton of trash a year! Now, multiply that with the US population and you will quickly realize why we need to recycle our wastes lest we find ourselves on sinking boat of trash. With that being said, here are ten more reason to recycle now.

1. It Makes For Good Economy
Recycling makes good economic sense in many ways. Many states profit from recycling revenues, often running in the billions of dollars, which can then be poured into making the economy stronger. It does not hurt either that our country exports its recycled products to other nations. Also, many companies rely on recycled materials to produce new products.

2. It Creates Jobs
The recycling industry is on a roll. As such, it requires manpower that means more jobs even in these recessionary times. In fact, the industry earns more than $236 billions annually, employs more than 1 million workers and continues to do so.

3. It Reduces Waste
This is a no-brainer as recycling is intended to lessen the wastes in our landfills. And you should know by now of the negative impact of landfills on the environment in the form of toxic leaks into the soil, which breeds a host of other societal problems.

4. It Is Eco-Friendly
Another no-brainer as recycling does utilize fewer natural resources and require lesser energy, not to mention lessening the burden on the landfills and other trash areas of the nation.

5. It Saves Energy
Instead of using virgin materials that require greater energy expenditures to transform into their final forms, recycling old materials utilize only about half of the energy. Take the case of recycling aluminum, which saves on 90 percent of costs necessary to make aluminum from scratch.

6. It Lessens the Burden on the Land
Take the example of a company that contacted local contractors to use their stockpiled mountains of glass to use as substitutes for sand and gravel in building roads and highways. You can just imagine the space said stockpile will take in the landfills.

7. It Mitigates Global Warming
Each waster material that we recycle means fewer amounts of greenhouse gases being emitted into the air, thus, mitigating the effects of global warming. We are now experiencing its effects but we can still do something about it.

8. It Reduces Water Pollution and Use
There are many ways with which this is possible. One, transforming recycled materials into new products often requires less water. Two, toxic leaks from landfills are lessened with fewer trash in them. We all end up with healthier, cleaner and clearer water.

9. It Protects Wildlife
Because there is lesser need to harvest the forests of its riches – trees, that is – the habitats of many wild animals are spared. As such, we are protecting the wildlife.

10. It Creates New Demand for Recycled Products
Thanks to the ripple effect, the process of making and buying recycled products create a new demand for them. And the good cycle of recycling starts again and again to the benefit of society and of the environment.

Keep in mind that every little paper, tin can and other junk that you recycle benefits not just you and your immediate surroundings but the national economy and international community as well.

If saving the planet is important to you, then one of the ways that you can go green is to stop using those plastic bags when you go shopping. Of course, you may be tired of using those plain old bags at the market, which is why designer canvas totes and market bags have become so popular. Now you are able to look good while you work on saving the environment.

More than Going Green
These reusable bags are about a lot more than going green these days. In fact, you simply need to talk to a French woman and you’ll find out that these bags aren’t just a necessity for saving the environment, but they are now considered fashion accessories as well. With the green crowd, these market bags and tots are a really hot option. There are more and more people who are starting to take bags of their own when they go shopping, and most major stores now have their own “green bags” available for sale to customers.

Of course, today the crafters out there are getting out there in to the market for market totes and bags. They are a hot item and many crafters are taking canvas tote bags for shopping and really dressing them up. This way consumers have the ability to go green in style when they go out shopping.

Designer Trends
Now these bags are becoming a designer trend. Laura Bush, and activist and a model is selling her own bags on the web. These bags are beneficial to you and they also benefit charitable programs as well. Many of the top designers out there are getting in on this trend and creating designer fashion bags for the market that people can purchase and carry with them to the store. No doubt these designer bags for shopping are only going to become more popular.

A Look Around the World
As you look around the world, there are more and more countries that are starting to turn away from plastic bags and go to a more environmentally friendly option. China is one country that has done this. They have totally banned the use of plastic bags, which has definitely increased the market for canvas tots and market bags. China used to use more plastic bags than America, and now they are no longer doing this, helping to save the environment.

Even just a small cheap reusable bags you can purchase at the market can hold the amount that 3-4 plastic bags could hold. So, if you can’t afford to go with a designer option right now, even purchasing a cheap bag can help you to work on saving the environment. Wondering why these bags haven’t been outlawed in the United States? Well, if you’d like to see this happen, consider talking to your local congressional representative and telling them you’d like to see this happen in the United States. When many people use their voice, changes can be made.

Styrofoam, which is a trademark name of polystyrene, is a type of plastic and often used as a material for packing. You can find it in expanded foam, in packing peanuts, in various trays for food, and many different products. The problem is that this material is made from petroleum, which makes it very flammable, and it contains benzene in it, which is a carcinogen.

The Environmental Problem
So why is Styrofoam a problem for the environment? It is often used in the packaging of various appliances, but it takes a long time for it to be broken down. This means that animals can end up ingesting the foam, which can cause them to starve to death, and often this foam sits in landfills for years.

Because of the nature of this Styrofoam, it is amazing that it is still allowed to be used for food packaging. Styrofoam often even comes in direct contact with food, in things like packaging for meat. There are some cities in the United States that have actually done the right thing and banned the use of polystyrene when it comes in direct contact with food.  If you take a look at products and packaging, if they have polystyrene in them, you will see a recycling triangle of them and the number six will be inside of the logo triangle.

More than likely it will be some time before Styrofoam is no longer made. While you can work to purchase products that don’t use it in any way, you also need to learn how you can deal with the polystyrene that ends up in your own hands instead of sending it off to a landfill somewhere. Many recycling programs do not accept polystyrene for recycling and it is hard to store it since it is pretty bulky. Polystyrene can be recycled, so you definitely need to tell others about working on recycling Styrofoam.

Should You Burn It?
There are some people that think burning their Styrofoam is the best choice for getting rid of it. However, there is a problem with this option. When you burn it, it releases a gas known as styrene gas. This gas can affect your nervous system. Often you can’t get the high temperatures needed to totally get rid of it and toxic chemicals end up being produced because of the low temperature you have when trying to burn at home. So, this is not the best option for getting rid of Styrofoam.

Options for Recycling
While burning is not a good option, there are some things that you can do to keep Styrofoam from ending up in landfills anytime soon. One great option is to use it to pack things. Perhaps you are sending out packages and need some packing material to keep something from breaking. Break down some Styrofoam and make your own packaging peanuts to reuse it. Often craft shops have use for this Styrofoam, since they use it for art projects. Check with Earth911.com as well. They can let you know what companies in your area will take back polystyrene so you can get rid of it.