Many people are working very hard these days in their efforts to live “greener.” They bring their eco cloth bags to the market; they use energy efficient light bulbs and are altering their habits in ways that seem simple and appropriate for their daily routines. Although these are all great green efforts, I happen to think that with more readily available simple green ideas, opinions, and solutions, people will be even more inclined to take their efforts one eco-step further.

A couple of weeks ago I sent out this question, (to some of my favorite top green sites and green guru’s on the web), asking them, “If you had one suggestion, tip, recommendation, or solution for someone fairly new to the green movement, what would it be?”

I received some incredibly insightful, creative and informative tips, thoughts and ideas. I want to thank all those who participated. I hope their ideas inspire you to live a greener, more eco-conscious life for you, your family and planet Earth. Please feel free to leave your suggestions, tips and ideas in our comment section. We would love to hear what you have to say too.

Here’s what the Greenies had to say:

“Buy more products in bulk at the grocery store – Not only are you saving money in the long-term (some studies show up to $200 a year in savings), but you’re cutting car emissions and gas use on extra trips to the market and reducing the amount of packaging you throw away. This is most ideal for products with longer shelf lives (condiments, canned food, pasta), but bread, dairy and meat can be frozen to extend their life.”-Trey Granger, Earth911

“One suggestion: I would like for people to start seeing the world as a whole system rather then just concentrating on their own backyards. Everything we do affects other people besides ourselves, and if we keep that in mind in our everyday life I think we will be better off as a people and a planet. Think globally, act locally.”-David, Founder of The Good Human

“Get out of your car, a day, two days or more a week if you can. Walk, ride a bike or take public transportation. That would be my one suggestion for everyone to follow.”
-Ed Begley, Living with Ed 

“Build community. I don’t mean that in the MySpace or Facebook kind of community, although that certainly has its place. I mean real life social networks of people who you respect, admire, learn from and, most importantly, trust. The green movement is growing rapidly, and making headway at bringing these values to a wider audience. At the same time, though, the corporations and government agencies targeted by the movement are growing increasingly, well, nasty. They’re pushing to label nonviolent activists as “terrorists” in order to silence dissent. [For more on this “Green Scare,” check out www.greenisthenewred.com/blog/green-scare). To people new to activism, it might be enough to scare them into submission: and that is exactly the point. All this “terrorism” talk is meant to instill fear in everyday people and silence dissent. The most important thing for any new activist to do is to become a part of a strong, growing community of people who refuse to be afraid.”
-Will Potter, GreenIsTheNewRed

“My suggestions are simple and easy for easing into the eco-friendly world. First, walk or bike when you can. If you have to drive, then schedule your errands so that you are achieving the most in one trip to an area. Second, eliminate plastic water bottles from your life. Ten years ago we got along without them just fine. It has just become a habit like anything else for us. Invest in a good reusable water bottle – you’ll save money in the long run! Third, change your light bulbs in your home to high efficiency bulbs. It is a moderate investment in the beginning, but it pays off in the over time. Finally, if you struggle with getting your spouse or significant other to “get on board” with going green, appeal to their fiscally sensible side. Show them how being eco-friendly can really save money in the long run.”
-Jeanne Reslan, Founder of EcoLabel Fundraising

“The key to being an environmentalist is having the right perspective. When you throw something in the trash realize that it will eventually end up helping to fill a landfill, when you turn on a coffee pot or a light remember that somewhere nearby there is coal burning and releasing emissions to make it possible, when you take a long shower realize that your water heater is burning natural gas piped in from thousands of miles away. Pay attention to your actions and their effects on the greater environment.”
-Ted Durkee, Co-Founder of Powered Green

“Use the power of online communities, social networking, and mobile technology to bring conversations about environmental issues and green lifestyle choices into action offline. Make friends, learn, be inspired, and then do something in your community. Share your successes and challenges, and in turn inspire someone else.”-3rdwhale

“After brewing your organic coffee in your French press and drinking, remove the plunger and refill the jug with cool water. Take the jug and pour the organic coffee grounds on your plants and give them a java jolt. Coffee grounds are a good nitrogen source and have been analysed as containing the three basic nutrients of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, or N-P-K for plant growth. These nutrients in the grounds will be absorbed by your perennials, and they will grow and bloom beyond your wildest dreams. Particularly good if you don’t have green fingers (like me!), and some of your plants are struggling. I now have the most beautiful lush and happy plants!”
-Anna Griffin, Editor In Chief of Coco Eco Magazine

“As far as the journey for true and legitimate “sustainability” is concerned, I think it’s a lot more difficult and elaborate than many would lead you to believe. Which is why I see only two solutions going forward: wisdom and action. We all tread on the environment in different ways, so acquire as much information as is practical, use your common sense to weigh it, and then decide what you’re going to do going forward. Along the way, you may find that others are interested in accompanying you on your journey towards sustainability – and that’s when it gets interesting.”-Preston Koerner, LEED AP , Founder of Jetson Green

“I would suggest becoming a Creative Citizen (www.creativecitizen.com) And learn how to implement green living in your daily life and see how your small changes add up to a huge collective difference.” -Nancy Astrid Lindo, Interior Designer, LEED, AP

“Be aware of your actions. Be conscious of your day. Avoid bringing plastic bags into your home. Reusable bags that you’ll find in my purse: Chico bags, Bee-Eazy Bags, EnviroSack. They are small and durable. No bottled water! I carry an Ecousable bottle to the gym. Go through your cleaning products. Ecover & Seventh Generation products are available in local markets. Check for toxins in your cosmetics by visiting Skin Deep Cosmetics Database. Get your kids involved. Unplug the television & let imagination take over with fun, recycling projects. Incorporate a vegetarian meal in your menu. Some great organic & vegetarian meal ideas. Get inspired! Go to green events with your family. Catch up on Eco Fashion. Make it a habit! Seconds to make, a lifetime to break!”-Apply Levy, Founder of The Green Girls

“My take-it-further green tip isn’t green: it’s spiritual, or religious. I think we, as a society, have become more agnostic. While that’s great in many ways—it’s always great to question belief and faith—we have lost some daily reference point of inner green-ness. Why is sanity green? Why is meditation green? Because living in an eco-responsible manner is, fundamentally, about learning to enjoy being mindful of your actions, and their effects, in every moment. If you’re caught up thinking about he said-she said, or your mortgage, you may not remember to turn off the lights. And if your brain doesn’t have any space in it—and you snap at your children to recycle their Izze bottles…well we know something’s off. So that’s my supplication: get green on the inside. Get mindful. Every morning, when you’re briefly relaxed and open, sit up straight and practice a few moments of meditation. Every evening (and this kills insomnia, too), do the same. Simple meditation can be practiced by folks of any religion. It’s just training your discursive mind to come back to the present moment, again and again.” As the UN Charter says: “Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed.” That’s true in everyday life, too. ‘Green’ is fundamentally about living in peace, and harmony, with our planet and our brothers and sisters—so, this year, practice “being the change”! – Waylon Lewis, Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Elephant Journal

“Simply to Do the Green Thing (www.dothegreenthing.com) – and follow 7 ways to lead a greener life.”
-James Alexander, Do The Green Thing