If you are planning on growing a veggy garden this Spring and Summer, raised garden beds are a great choice. They minimize the weeds, offer good irrigation and you will have fluffy, rich soil for healthy plants. The raised bed will also help to control the temperature of the soil, creating ideal conditions for your plants.

The Energy Star label helps more than one third of Americans choose their appliances and electronics. In addition to being a more eco-friendly choice for home appliances, the US government also offers rebates and tax credits for many Energy Star certified products, making them very attractive choices for greener living.

Simply removing your shoes when you enter your house will cut down on the amount of dirt and chemicals that you track into your home....

Households are responsible for a large percentage of carbon dioxide emissions in the United States. In order to help reduce your impact on the environment you can reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by purchasing carbon offsets.

You have two options for washing dishes - hand wash or dishwasher. So, which is the most eco-friendly and efficient option?

Over 100 million printer cartridges are thrown out each year (some estimates place it as high as 300 million). With an estimated decomposition time of 450 years, that's a lot of waste that will stay in the ground for generations. Many printer companies make their money in consumables. That's why printers are often only slightly more expensive than the ink cartridges they use. However, instead of running out and buying new cartridges, you can actually reuse your old ones in different ways.

The weather is starting to get warmer and with it comes barbecue season! Who doesn't love a nice cookout in the backyard with friends and family? While many people do cookouts for the fun of it, few are aware that grilling your food is actually more energy efficient than cooking with a kitchen stove. With a little bit of planning, barbecues can be one of the most eco-friendly things to do in the summer.

Improper disposal of household chemicals can lead to contamination of land, water and air and harm plants, animals, and humans.

Over the years, it is inevitable that we will go through many appliance and electronics upgrades. While we put a lot of thought into carefully researching and purchasing a new device, we often overlook the importance of proper disposal for the old items. Many appliances and electronics unnecessarily hit the landfills each year instead of being recycled due to people simply not knowing what to do with them. With a little bit of research, you can do your part to keep hazardous and non-biodegradable material out of the ground.

Something everyone must be a consumer of is food, so make an informed choice about where you purchase your food. Farmers markets are an excellent choice because of their smaller impact on the environment.

Giant paper producers play a large role in the destruction of million and millions of acres of forests throughout the world. Make a few easy changes around your home and you can reduce your paper product consumption.

Running water has been used for decades to generate power on an industrial level and many homes across the world get their grid power from hydroelectric power plants. However, unlike the other renewable energy sources we've covered, hydropower is not a viable source of alternative energy for the majority of homes, as it requires a source of running water close by.

As you are pulling together your receipts to qualify for every last deduction you can get...remember if you did anything to your home to make it more energy efficient during the past year, you may be eligible for a federal tax credit. For example, if you installed new Energy Star windows, you may be eligible for 30% of the total cost (not including installation), up to $1,500 cash back. Insulation, heating & AC systems, roofs, water heaters, and storm doors are other items that also qualify. Go to the US Dept of Energy's site to find out if you qualify.

Many of us striving for a greener lifestyle are familiar with eco-friendly home products and décor but we rarely give a second thought about cooking. Considering we spend a good deal of time in the kitchen making food, small changes to our cooking styles can have long term beneficial effects. Here are some tips to go green with your cooking.

2 to 5 percent of what is thrown out as trash has not yet reached the end of its lifecycle and can be reused. Not only is reuse an eco-friendly choice, it is also a money saver. Here are some common household items that can be reused in unique ways.