In preparation for Earth Day, April 22nd, Green Seal, the nation’s original independent non-profit certifier of sustainable goods and services and the original “Green Seal of Approval,” is offering 10 tips for spring cleaning and greening your life. Click here for a sharable/postable list.
The full list of tips is also included below.
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This Earth Day, Green Your Life
Ten Tips for Spring Cleaning and Greening from Green SealTM
April 15, 2016, Washington, D.C., – This Earth Day, April 22nd, Green Seal, the nation’s original independent non-profit certifier of sustainable goods and services and the original “Green Seal of Approval,” is offering 10 tips for spring cleaning and greening your life.
Spring is the time for a fresh start for people as well as the planet. A sense of rebirth and renewal goes hand in hand with environmental stewardship, and you can gain inspiration from the change of seasons.
Here are ten ways to welcome spring in a green way:
1. Do a chemical analysis – Under the kitchen sink, in the bathroom, in the garage—what products are you keeping around? If there’s a warning on the label, consider a less toxic alternative. Hazardous products can impact not just your family’s health, but the health of the factory workers as well. And of course the health of our environment, too.
2. Spring-clean your cleaners – Work on switching out any conventional cleaners with those that are truly green. And don’t be fooled by vague product claims. Look for the word “certified” with a description of what the certification means. If you use a cleaning service, make your product preferences known to them.
3. A fresh coat of paint does wonders– You can do that paint project while still smelling the spring flowers. Use only “low VOC” or “no VOC” paints to avoid hazardous fumes. If you have a big paint job, consider using recycled paint (new paint made from reformulated leftover paint).
4. Refinish the porch swing – Not all coatings are created equal. There are paints, stains, and finishes that are less toxic and more sustainable. Green Seal-certified coatings are made without carcinogens, heavy metals, phthalates, or hazardous air pollutants. And again, avoid products with scary warnings on the label.
5. Roll out some new rolls – Enjoying seeing the trees bud and bloom? Save more trees by using 100% recycled TP, tissue and paper towels. And that myth about all recycled paper being scratchy? That’s old news.
6. Green your day job – Don’t limit your spring greening to your home. Do a little snooping at work and see if they are using green cleaners, paper and supplies. If not, here are some links to share with the person in charge of purchasing: www.greenseal.org;www.greenamerica.org; orwww.ewg.org/guides/cleaners
7. Green your favorite places – Where are you hanging out this spring? At school? At the gym? Maybe the kids’ daycare center? All of these places can and should be as green as your home if they want to keep your business. Share the links in #6 with them too.
8. Reduce your travel footprint – Spring break time! Whether it’s eco-tourism or a weekend in the city, look for hotels that have been certified for their green operations. Most travel sites have options for searching green hotels—look for them and thank the front desk for doing their part.
9. Get your greens from a green gourmet – Local foods are available year-round. Patronize restaurants that offer locally or sustainably grown foods to lessen the footprint of foodservice. And look for the places with certified green operations to reduce the impact of this notoriously high-waste industry.
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Spread the word – Multiply your spring greening efforts by sharing this list and posting on social media. Challenge your friends to fulfill all ten. Share your own green practices in the comments section below. There is no better time to jumpstart a more sustainable lifestyle and celebrate the renewal that spring inspires.
