Log A Green Deed

Was honored by the local section of a national environmental organization for the accomplishments in water resources made during my career.

Make energy efficiency, recycling potential and longevity key factors on all your purchasing decisions.

Buy powdered sort drink and mix your own in a reusable bottle. Eliminates plastic waste and no high fructose corn sweetener (usually).

Contact the managers of your curbside recycling program and find out where your recycling goes. Ask how it's recycled.

Whenever possible buy at the bulk food section at the market. Take your own containers to save even more packaging

If you buy books, buy them at an Independent Bookstore that will buy them back so someone else can buy them and you get $ to buy more books.

Don't drive to the gym to workout. Ride your bike or walk there. Better yet, go for a run, brisk walk or bike ride around the neighborhood.

Sell or give your "extra" books to a local used bookstore. Support a local business and reuse books.

Be your skill technical, social, communication or other, volunteer them to help your local officials spread the word on being green.

Fake the pledge and go plastic free for a day. Check ito out at: www,noplasticday.org.

Clean sink drains with baking soda and vinegar. Pour 1/4 cup of soda down the drain. Follow that with 1/2 cup vinegar.

Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper commenting on a land use policy, energy issue or other "green" issue.

Make a list of 5 things you put in the recycle bin. Then note ways to reduce their presence there; read the newspaper on line, donate, etc.

Support Roz's work by donating to her Foundation. Find the link at www.RozSavage.com.

Did you make it through No Plastics Day (6/8/10) without disposable plastic bags or bottles? If log this deed. Try to make every day NPD.

Check your local recycler to find items you need for projects around the house: paint, wire, tubing and boxes for storage or moving.

Attend out of town meetings via "conference call," video or voice only, to avoid a carbon producing trip.

Research the concept of "Carbon Footprint Labeling" for food. It's done at some stores in the UK and Sweden. Let's ask why not in the US.

Check the Washington Toxics Coalition website (watoxics.org). Look closely at their list of "Chemicals of Concern." Avoid these chemicals.

Check your community for a local "Green Drinks" chapter. If you have one, join in to share ideas for saving Earth. Roz, thanks for the idea.

Use www.localharvest.org to find farms, markets, restaurants and other sources for local food.

Another good "food" link: slowfoodusa.org. It takes eating local to a whole new level.

Check out www.greenlivingtips.com. There are a host of great ideas there. You can follow on Twitter and get frequent updates too.

If you start looking at the chemistry, some things you thought were bad maybe aren't. Some you thought were, aren't.

Recently, "Native America Speaks" reviewed the emotional and spiritual benefits of running. Physically able? Connect w/ nature, run.

Become a voice for positive change in attitudes toward the environment in your community. Aspire to inspire before you expire.

Beware of "greenwashing." Is a company that builds huge suburban stores with 20 acre parking lots accessible only by car really green?

It's summer. Prepare a meal using only items from you garden or a local farmers market.

Let's make ecoheroes about forming habits. Start doing the same deeds every day not once or twice. Log them over and over. Change your life.