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Living “green” is really just a set of simple choices, like using reusable bags instead of plastic or paper.
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We've all heard the word "green" get batted around a lot these days. It seems like as soon as corporations determined a dollar value could be attached to their products and services by marketing them as green, the public was inundated with claims of green superiority. Green one-day sales at department stores offering reusable tote bags with a purchase of $100 or more jockey for the attention of consumers alongside green cleaning products produced by multinational chemical companies.
The word "green" is, like the peace symbol, becoming co-opted. Co-option happens when something that represents a movement or idea is adopted for commercial purposes once it becomes widely recognized [sources: Seattle University]. Generally, once a symbol, word or concept associated with a social movement is used for commercial purposes, it means certain death for accurate perception of that idea. "Green" appears to be no exception. The idea of what good environmental stewardship is has changed and evolved over time; the meaning of being green went from actively making conscientious decisions and lifestyle changes that benefit the environment to buying green products. The concept became watered down, and corporations even started greenwashing their practices to bolster their environmentally friendly reputations.
But while the word has lost some of its power, the idea behind it -- creating habits that positively impact the environment -- remains a good one. There are plenty of big and small changes you can make to help the planet. And what better place to start than at home?
What follows are five ways you can greenify your home. You can call them green or simply good sense. On the next page, get reacquainted with the three Rs of environmentalism: reduce, reuse and recycle.
