It's not trendy being green.

Ok so this might be the biggest trend since adopting 3rd world children, or the tickle me elmo doll of years past. So how do you find out which trends are trends, and which ones are helping reduce our footprint on the ecosystem. Since it is cool to be eco-friendly now, it is time you get educated on how to live green.

Now I don't want this to get boring so I will get right to the point.

1. Recycle, stop sending unnecessary things to the landfill.

Also there is a cool website called Freecycle, where you can post things you are giving away, and people will take them from you, and you can also get things that you may need as well. These things are kept out of a land fill and you get something useful. Everybody wins!

2. Stop buying bottled water. It's ridiculous to pay a dollar or more for 20 ounces of water that was filtered from a tap. Every year an average of 38 billion water bottles end up in landfills, instead of being recycled. Plastic bottles take 700 years before they begin to decompose in a landfill. Instead buy a filter for your home from Brita or PUR , and use a refillable water-bottle like SIGG instead of the more convenient but earth-destroying disposable kind.

3. Use energy star rated products. Of course it is not easy to convince yourself that you need new appliances, but be keen when you do. By using energy efficient products, you reduce your electric bill and less energy means less carbon based emissions going into our atmosphere. Plus the money you save on your electric bill will eventually  pay for your product, hows that for getting something free?

4. Stop driving as much. Park that big SUV and take the bus. Plan your trips to town, you may decide to start paying bills online instead of in person; and do your shopping on your way home from work. Plan bike rides at the park with your kids. It's a great way to get active and spend time with your family.

5. Replace your old light bulbs with the florescent energy savers, they last 5 years and save on energy consumption. Also use power-strips for your computer and entertainment center. Besides the surge protection they provide, there is also a master switch where you can cut the power to everything plugged in. No more paying the cost for your electronics to be on standby.

This is just a short list of things anyone can do, weather you own your home, or live in an apartment. Feel free to add any clever ideas you may have.