WREX.com – Rockford’s News LeaderGoing Green: Inexpensive ways to help the environment

Going Green: Inexpensive ways to help the environment

By Justin Gehrts

Many of us are keeping track of our money more closely these days. That means expensive eco-friendly ideas and products may not be a priority anymore, but you can still help the environment.

As the saying goes, "a little bit can go a long way". That's the case when you do simple things to go green. One of the first options is use less.

"Waste reduction... reduce, reuse, recycle. Reduce is actually your number one priority. So you want to think about what you can reduce before you have to recycle it," said Lori Gummow, Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful.

That includes something as simple as buying a water pitcher for the fridge and drinking out of cups. That way you're not spending money on bottled water or running the faucet waiting for it to get cold.

You can save money on your electric bill by making sure you turn off lights that aren't being used.

When you wash dishes or brush your teeth, don't leave the water on the whole time. "When you go back to basics, that's really where you're going to see your cost savings," said Gummow.

Gummow recommends using real dishes and silverware rather than paper and plastic.

Remembering little things to be green may seem like a lot of work, but it's just a matter of doing it daily. "It took me a long time to remember to take my canvas bags to the store to resuse them, and once you do it, it just becomes habitual," said Gummow.

For more ways you can go green, click on the links to the left of this story.