"Go Green" for St. Patrick's Day

On St. Patrick's Day, everything comes up green - rivers, clothing and even food! You and your family can use this traditional holiday to bring some more green to your daily living. Families who take little steps to "go green" help to reduce harm to the environment by making little changes to help reduce, reuse or recycle.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Grocery shop with reusable bags so you can reduce the amount of paper or plastic you consume.

Organize your recyclables at home. Simple bins or boxes labeled glass, aluminum and paper can go a long way in eliminating excess waste in your home. And, many recycling places pay money when you bring these materials in, so it's a win-win!

Go to the library to borrow books, movies and music instead of always buying new.

Ride with others to school, soccer practice, dance class or anywhere else a group of you needs to go!

Electronics (TVs, game systems, chargers, etc.) and lights should be unplugged or turned off when not in use or when you are not in the room.

Eat locally grown foods. Plant your own garden or look for farmers' markets in your area where you can purchase fresh fruits and vegetables.

New toys, games and clothes making their way into your house? Donate the old (instead of just throwing them away) so that they can be played with and used again.

See? Whether you're Irish or not, it can be easy to be green on March 17th and all year long!