At Seeds of Change, we know first hand that change can be overwhelming and difficult to sustain. We’ve put together some tips to help you lead a greener lifestyle. You’ll be surprised how easy it is to develop more conscientious habits.

Turn off the tap

Start simple: When brushing your teeth, turning off the tap between rinses can save at least two gallons of water. (That’s about 20 gallons a day in a five-person household.)

Keep going: Collect rainwater for irrigation. Putting a rain barrel on your downspouts you’ll save water and money. Collection systems can range from a simple barrel at the bottom of a downspout to multiple tanks with pumps and controls.

Change bulbs

Start simple: At home or the office, switch to energy-saving fluorescent light bulbs. They last longer and can save you up to $30 in energy costs over each bulb’s lifetime.

Keep going: Roof-top solar panels are now more affordable. Just a few of panels can take your house entirely off the fossil fuel grid. And you can sell your surplus back to your local provider.

Buy organic foods

Start simple: Choose organic foods grown without harmful chemicals (like Seeds of Change®). You can also look for locally grown organic produce, which helps save energy by avoiding transportation costs.

Keep going: Try growing your own organic garden. Organic gardening honors our bodies and renews our spirits through an intimacy with nature and the cycle of life. For tips on organic seeds and gardening, visit our seeds website at www.seedsofchange.com.

Switch cleaners

Start simple: Try looking for non-toxic cleaning supplies and detergents when you re-stock. They are better for your family and the environment.

Keep going: Replace your carpets with tile, wood, linoleum or other non-carpet flooring. Then you won’t need toxic cleaners, because vinegar and water works just fine for cleaning floors without carpet. And you save energy by not vacuuming.

Ditch the car

Start simple: Leave your car at home at least one day each week. Take the bus or subway instead. Need some exercise? Grab your walking shoes or dust off your bike.

Keep going: Switch to a biodiesel vehicle. If biodiesel is not readily available in your area, rally up some like-minded friends and start a "co-op". Do an online search for "biodiesel" and you’ll learn all about it.

Unplug items

Start simple: Cell phone chargers, TVs, toasters, and radios use energy even when you’re not using them. Unplug them and see up to a 5% savings in your electric bills.

Keep going: Try a motion sensing powerstrip to automatically turn your electronics off when you’re not around. They offer "always-live" outlets for computers and the like. Plug smaller electronics into the motion-sensing outlet on the powerstrip.

Donate items

Start simple: Donate old clothes and household stuff you no longer need. By reusing what you have, you contribute less to landfills and reduce the energy necessary to have new goods made.

Keep going: Discover "Freecycling", a grassroots, non-profit collective that encourages peer-to-peer recycling. It’s based on the old adage, "One man's trash is another man's treasure". Go to freecycle.org and dig in.

Green Your Clothing

Start simple: Your local dry cleaner may be using chemical that are bad for you and the environment. Try finding a local cleaner using greener practices like wet cleaning. Or wash your silks and linens by hand with an environmental-friendly detergent.

Keep going: Choose a washer with an Energy Star label when shopping for a new washing machine. This will save energy and resources. You might try buying clothing made from organic cotton, or better yet, let the vintage clothing you have buried in your closet see the light.

Recycle

Start simple: You may have already made strides in your efforts to recycle paper and plastic goods in your home. We’re pretty sure you own at least one reusable grocery bag, too. Why not do the same in your workplace? You’ll be surprised by the number of your co-workers who are willing to participate.

Keep going: Try using reusables when possible. Ditch the bottled water and get a refillable polycarbonate, BPA safe bottle. You’ll be shocked at how much waste you can cut out with very little effort.