It's a lot easier being green these days with environmentally friendly choices at every turn. For Sierra Club members who have been green since way before it became so easy, there’s always room for fine tuning. In this ever-evolving area, it’s important to check in occasionally to find out if we are recycling correctly, or if we need to revisit past choices made when green products were still in their development phase. There are so many different brands to choose from right at the local supermarket.
The only hard part about a green behavior is trying it out long enough for it to become a habit. Then it is just as easy to do as whatever you were doing before. Those who were living in Marin in the mid-1970’s remember living through a long drought, and probably think back with a certain amount of pride to the stringent conservation habits we developed back then, and remember that it was not a painful sacrifice, but a good common cause. And we did it with humor and spirit.
Of course, being green can become yet another opportunity to beat ourselves, or someone else, over the head with expectations of perfection. No matter how dire we predict the future will be if people keep burying their heads in the sand, we can be sure that ranting statistical doom will only make them bury their heads deeper to avoid listening. Instead, if we live our eco-actions with joy, chances are others will follow our lead. Because conservation is fun, delicious and economical. Not exactly a hard sell!
If all of the 7000 Marin Sierra Club members did some fine tuning of our daily habits, the effect would be enormous. And if each member inspired others, who knows what kind of ripple effect there would be.
This page will help to keep members current on living green with links to the sites that have the most up to date information.
If you know of a site that should be here, if you find a link on this page is broken, or if you visit a linked site, and find that it is not accurate, please let us know.
Shop locally - it's tasty and fun at the farmers' market - find one near you. At the supermarket, check the label for distance. Closely grown foods in season taste best and cost less. Why eat an imported banana when fresh peaches, fuyu persim-mons or satsumas are in season?
Put 'cloth bags' on the top of your grocery shopping list to remind you to take them next time you shop. Need more? United Markets, Trader Joe's, and others sell them for $1-$4, and many give credit for using them when you shop.
Buy energy saver bulbs. Maybe you tried one a long time ago and didn’t like it. Try again. They’ve been improved. Confused by news about mercury in bulbs, etc.? Here's Mr. Green's answer.
Drink tap water. Marin’s water is better regulated than bottled water. You can always install a filter if you want. Fill your own reusable bottle. Get info on MMWD water.
Take a walk around your neighbor-hood & meet your neighbors! Stronger community relationships make for a happier life and – who knows? -- might result in carpools, movie nights, pot lucks, equipment sharing, and all sorts of other things that are good for the planet and you.
Power down your computer when you walk away from it. You can pick up right where you left off.
Get a power strip to plug in your electronics. A flip of the switch turns it all off over night or when you are away from your home or office.
Turn off the water while you lather up in the shower or brush your teeth. You'll feel free to spend more time massaging your scalp or gums.
Patronize Green Businesses
RE-USE & RECYCLE
Can you recycle it? Find out here.
What does your trash collector accept?
Mill Valley
Sausalito
San Rafael
Novato
| Other Valuable Links | |
| California Integrated Waste Management Board | |
| Marin Resource Recovery | |
| California Materials Exchange |
Not ready for the trash heap? Check your favorite charity’s needs list.
Not on any needs list? Post it on Marin Max, a free exchange site.
and of course there is craigslist and ebay.
Keep hazardous electronics waste out of the landfill: San Rafael Novato
Dispose of old pills responsibly to avoid putting toxins in the Bay or landfill.
Easy One Step Catalog Reduction
Purchase Recycled Products
Avoid all the clutter in the first place through simple living, aka voluntary simplicity.
GARDEN
Planning a garden? Check out these water wise gardens for inspiration.
Alternatives to invasive garden plants
Creating a beautiful and healthy Bay-Friendly garden
Save our threatened gardening heritage by planting heirloom seeds.
Set your irrigation settings right for the season
WATER CONSERVATION
Water conservation tips from MMWD
A handy tool for fine tuning water conservation from H2ouse.
TOILET REBATE from MMWD
Water Waste Prevention
Stop or report the practice of hosing down hard surfaced areas, significant run-off from irrigation, and leakage.
Build your own rain barrel! Why let that winter rain go to waste?
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY STAR
Federal program.
PG&E Flex Your Power
Incentives/rebates, technical assistance, retailers, product guides.
BUILD/ REMODEL/DESIGN
Except for energy upgrades, of course the most environmentally friendly choice is to simply maintain your property as is. But if you are set on doing something, here are some good resources.
Marin County offers resources, ordinances, and incentives for green building.
BuildItGreen.org
Find qualified green building professionals.
Marin County Community Development Agency Green Building Program
For residential, commercial, and community facilities.
Construction Waste Recycling and Salvage
Ohmega Salvage, Berkeley
Other Bay Area Salvage Yards
RENEWABLE ENERGY
Marin County Solar Energy Program
The Solar Living Institute
Promotes sustainable living through inspirational environmental education through workshops, etc. at their Hopland center.
TRANSPORTATION
Golden Gate Transit Bus & Ferry Schedules
Walk or ride a bike! Two organizations make it easy to find routes and more information:
Marin County Bicycle Coalition
and Walk Bike Marin
Transportation Authority of Marin
See when Zip Cars will be available near you.
Compare vehicle emissions and mileage.
Alternative Fuel
If you drive diesel vehicle, you have the option to use biodiesel fuel.
Find a biodiesel station
San Anselmo
EDUCATORS
PG&E’s Energenius Program – free classroom materialsl
Lower your school’s energy costs.
MORE TIPS FOR LIVING GREEN
The Green Life - Sierra Club National page full of ideas.
Ask Mr. Green - Sierra Club National answer man for all things green.
SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainable Marin
Sustainable Fairfax
Sustainable Mill Valley
Sustainable Novato
Sustainable San Rafael
EATING
All that energy used for transporting, processing and raising animals for consumption makes what we eat a huge environmental choice. Fortunately locally grown foods taste infinitely better than foods that have to travel from great distances in refrigerated transport, and small farmers can grow varieties for their taste rather than for how easily they can fit in a box or how well they tolerate abuse. Children who get to eat fresh local vegetables in season are much more enthusiastic and healthy eaters.
Marin Farmers Markets - Fairfax, Novato & Civic Center
Downtown San Rafael Farmers Market
Larkspur Landing Farmers Market
Sat, 10A-2P, May-Oct
Marin Vegetarian Education Group
Marin Organic
Recipes for seasonal eating from Animal, Vegetable, Miracle -- Kingsolver
Eating locally is delicious and smart, but if occasionally you just 'have to have' something from half way round the world, at least make sure it didn't cause environmental devastation in the origin country. Find Fair Trade Certified coffee, tea, sugar, rice, or fruit at these stores.
