Go Green

Save money in the bathroom
Take a shorter shower. If you cut just one minute off of your shower time, it could save nearly 700 gallons per month. A family of four could reduce water usage by as much as 2800 gallons a month -- and yet not feel much difference in shower time.

Bring home superhero plants
Certain greens can help remove indoor air pollutants like formaldehyde and benzene. Don't have the gardening gene? Golden pothos, English ivy, and peace lilies are all easy-to-grow toxin fighters.

Recycle rechargeables
Cell phones, digital cameras, and camcorders have made these batteries more popular than ever, but in certain states -- Florida, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Vermont -- it's illegal to throw them away. Wherever you live, you can find a nearby store that will recycle them for you; just go to rbrc.org.

Adjust fridge and freezer temps
Refrigerators eat up the most electricity in the household. Maximize efficiency by keeping the fridge at 37° F. and the freezer at 0° F.

Lighten up with energy savings
Consider using compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs). They cost a bit more than regular bulbs, but you'll lower your electric bill and pay less in the long run -- CFLs last up to 10 times longer than traditional ones.

(Worried that fluorescents will fill your house with a greenish glow? That's no longer a problem. When we compared a regular bulb with a GE Energy Star Qualified CFL, testers couldn't tell the difference.) You can buy CFLs at most hardware and home stores.

Recycle smart
From furniture to electronics, one person's trash is another's treasure — so when you want to dispose of an old item, don't make the dump your first stop. Two sites with alternatives: freecycle.org and earth911.org.

Get off junk mail lists
Register with the Direct Marketing Association's Mail Preference Service (dmaconsumers.org) and you'll see a significant reduction in mail after three months.

Tips From:
GoodHouskeeping.com
“What Those “Eco” Labels Really Mean”
By: Leslie Billera