Some Green Flavor in NYC

I'll be the first to admit that my main interest in social enterprise is not the green flavor. My energy (pun intended?) tends to be more focused on working with people to improve lives. My blog tends to play fan favorites with mentoring youth, advising adults who need some guidance, microfinance, feeding the hungry, etc. Nevertheless, one of the reasons I have been writing this blog is to force myself to learn more and experience more in other areas of social enterprise. The biggest space here is the green initiative.

First, I recommend going to check out the Go Green Expo in NYC this coming March. The event is $25 for the weekend. You'll find tons of exhibits here who have 'greened' everything. And there are plenty of 'free' samples to help you get your $25 worth.

Find out more at http://www.gogreenexpo.com/

Over the past year, I have been conscious of things that I do that could be greener and have made a solid effort to improve my habits. You may say to yourself, it's just one plastic bottle I am throwing away...but maybe everyone else is saying that to.

Here is a list of ten things that you should keep in the back of your mind or start doing to be more green:

10) Buy a re-useable grocery bag. Cut down on your use of plastic bags at the grocery. You even get a tiny discount off your bill for bringing your own bag.

9) And if you go to the market and forget your re-useable bag, be sure to reuse your plastic bags for other things (like in place of Ziplock bags when you bring lunch to work).

8) Turn off lights and electronic devices when you leave your apartment. You'll be cutting back on energy consumption and cutting back on your energy bill too.

7) Consider purchasing environmentally friendly appliances. (Not a new fridge, but maybe some newer technology light bulbs).

6) Try to go paperless. Use your computers and cell phones to pay bills, keep lists, and write down notes.

5) Buy a filtered water system (like a Brita). It may cost a bit more up front than a water bottle, but it will save you a lot of money in the long run and save you a lot of plastic as well.

4) Get a water bottle to go along with your water system so you can take it along with you. (The Go Green Expo has tons of great water bottles)

3) Use more all natural products. The disposal is easier and cleaner for the environment...and the products are probably better for you too.

2) Give someone else the heads up on going green. It doesn't have to be stressful, but little things across many people can make a big difference.

1) Keep yourself informed. The trend of going green has only just begun.