5 Ways to Make Your New Year's Resolutions Green!!!

These great green ideas have been contributed by GGN's Merilee Novinson, Team Leader for Communications. 

Do you want to do something for our planet Earth this coming year, but feel overwhelmed with all the problems publicized in the media and everywhere on social networks? 

Go Green Northbrook has some simple things you can do. 

If you pick just one idea from these lists, you’ll be giving Mother Earth the best gift of all - your time and attention. SO...just do it! Pick one green idea and set it as your goal in 2014!

Five Things for You and Your Family to Consider:

1. Eliminate meat just one meal each week. You’ll save 84,000 gallons of water, 245 pounds of grain and 15.5 gallons of gas.

2. Download Earth911’s iRecycle app for iPhone or Android: It tells how, where, when to recycle almost anything for FREE.

3. Carry a bag with your own reusable containers when eating out and eliminate a restaurant's non-recyclable containers for food being taken home.

4. Turn off computers at night vs. sleep mode to save 40 watt hours a day.

5. Don’t rinse off dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, just scrape them off. Save 20 gallons of water each load.

Five Things for Homeowners to Do:

1. Use reusable bags for all shopping -- saves energy and reduces waste.

2. Redecorate for energy savings. Make sure all registers are free of obstructions from furniture and draperies. One foot clearance is best for efficiency.

3. Make sure the fireplace flue is closed when not in use to save energy.

4. Visit Energy Star’s Home Advisor for customized tips.

5. Clean out the garage to get rid of hazardous waste, then park the family cars in the brand new space you've created. 

AND, one more thing: Consider joining Go Green Northbrook as a member. Check out all your friends and neighbors who are getting satisfaction helping others step up and be counted as friends of our planet.  

Have A Happy New Year from Go Green Northbrook!!!