You have heard it over and over again…

“Reduce, Reuse then Recycle” but it isn’t always obvious just how to do that, is it? Well, here’s the tip for you – and it will save you money!

Plastic Wrap, sandwich baggies..all plastic that is thrown away. The least you can do to keep some of that plastic out of the landfill, is to buy the reuseable containers. Go long term with more durable pieces, or short term with the GladWare, Rubbermaid TakeAway stuff.

Aluminum foil is recycleable. make sure it’s clean.

You want to make the biggest impact? AND save money? Use the containers you already have!

Use the empty Cool Whip containers for leftover mashed potatoes, the glass spaghetti jars for soup, the empty Chinese food containers for almost everything! These containers were not meant to be used long term, so you may find they do split after a couple of washes. Have no fear, throw them in the recycling bin for guilt free recycling…you have reduced (you are causing less production of plastic film and baggies), reused (that is self explanatory), and recycled!

Recycling is one of the easiest enviro-friendly things to do. Make it quick, hassle free and automatic!

Find out what local services are available. What can be recycled in your area? If you can’t find out exactly, go for paper, glass, plastic and aluminum. You don’t have to always search for the numbers of the “types” of plastic.

Set up your recycling area- this could be as simple as a separate “garbage can” which is the new “recycling bin,” reusing a paper grocery bag with handles under the sink, or you can be fancy with the ecopod Home Recycling Center. Having things be easy and workable is crucial for succeeding long term!

Buy anything possible recycled! Nowadays, you can find recycled paper towels, toilet paper, paper napkins, and facial tissue in most local stores! For those who think that recycled toilet paper is used toilet paper that has been recycled, it’s not! Have no fear! If you just can’t break your attraction to the velvety soft Kleenex that you have always used, put recycled paper in the guest bathroom! Or, keep a roll of recycled paper towels on hand for when you wash the windows or soak up a big spill…something that is not everyday so your hands won’t mind!

Check out the cook ecopod Home Recycling Center here.

One way to save money, become more environmentally friendly, and protect your family, is to make your own household cleaning solution. Below are three multi-purpose cleansers to clean walls, floors, and countertops. Use straight baking soda on a sponge for tough, abrasive cleaning, such as in the bathroom. Less chemicals will go into soil and water supplies, you can use household products that you already have in your cupboards, and your family and pets won’t be exposed to all those chemicals!

Try out these recipes and use in a spray bottle. (No need to buy – you could save one from your last cleanser, wash it out, and reuse…)

1. Mix 1/2 cup of vinegar to about 1 1/4 cups of warm water.
2. Dissolve 4 tablespoons baking soda in one quart of warm water.
3. For stronger cleaning power, combine 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil-based liquid soap (such as liquid castile soap) and 3/4 cup warm water. Shake to blend.

Don’t want to take the time to mix your own?
Try the new Clorox Green Works, Seventh Generation cleaners or Method cleaner. They are all available in mainstream stores. Surprised to see Clorox Green Works on the list? Well, it’s endorsed by the Sierra Club, and it is the first time the non-profit has endorsed a cleaning product.

Don’t do all of your own cleaning? Here’s a perfect way to make a difference without making much of a change to your current lifestyle!

Use a green maid service, like Green & Clean in Atlanta or Greenway Maid in San Francisco

Like the idea of “cleaning green” but you do all the hard work? Or, is your area not that green yet and you can’t find a green service?

Then look for eco-friendly cleaning products. They aren’t hard to find anymore! Check your regular grocery store for products like Seventh Generation (find a store and even get coupons at their website)

You don’t want to hunt for products nor do you want to go to a specific store?

Order online! Try Sun & Earth products! They even have free samples!

Do you reuse your baggies from your lunch? It is a great way to save money and plastic from the landfills. Did you know that it takes between 10-20 years for a plastic bag to decompose? And that is if there is oxygen! Our landfills are getting so full that often things are packed so tightly they can’t decompose. Even vegetable food products. Well, if you are getting tired of having the kitchen faucet be the “baggie hanger” check this out. It is a specially designed dryer for bags and bottles. Although this may not appear to be true to the “reduction” philosophy, if you are too lazy to find something else to do the trick, you would reuse bags and bottles if there was an easy way to dry them, this will work in reducing trash.