Green Labels: what do they mean?

Energy Star
Some appliances, electronics, and lightbulbs display the Energy Star label, established by the Environmental Protection Agency. These products perform as well as their traditional counterparts while using up to 75 percent less energy.

FSC
Developed by the Forest Stewardship Council, the FSC logo signifies that paper and wood products, such as furniture and flooring, have been harvested using certified sustainable standards.

Fair Trade Certified
TransFair USA confirms that Fair Trade Certified foods, such as coffee, fruit, chocolate, and sugar, have been grown by farmers who use environmentally friendly practices and receive a fair price for their crops.

Demeter
Wines and foodstuffs that carry the Demeter logo are biodynamic, which means their growers use methods such as crop rotation, composting, and homeopathic sprays to cultivate the long-term health of the soil.

Green Seal
Products that include cleaners, paints, and paper earn a Green Seal certification if they have a low impact on the environment throughout their life cycles, from manufacturing to disposal.

Green Organizing: control the chaos

To Plastic or not to Plastic...

A great way to "go green" while you get organized is to reduce your use of plastic items. Avoid buying additional containers. Instead, utilize items you already own and that have some positive sentimental value for you. For instance, my small collection of porcelain mugs takes on a new life while keeping pens, pencils, and scissors managed around the house. None of these mugs are used for drinking anymore, but their chipped condition gives them a certain charm. They add a unique personality to my home while

being useful at the same time.

Re-Use

Look to things that might be going unnoticed, and give them a new use. Tomato cans, once they've been emptied and cleaned, are perfect for holding larger items like rulers and letter openers. Also, small dishes that you love but don't use very often are perfect for things like thumb tacks and rubber bands. You don't want your surfaces to become cluttered with all kinds of containers. So, think carefully about which supplies you use regularly. Those are the only ones you really need to have on display. It's fun to use containers you love even when they're not showing. When you open a closet or cabinet and see an orderliness that you've created with your own beautiful things can really inspire.

Electricity

Another way to get green easily is to invest in a few power strips (also called surge protectors). Use them with appliances that use electricity even when they seem to be turned off. Some of the worst culprits are your air conditioner, television, DVD player, and computer. Anything that has a little light indicating that it's in standby mode is sucking electricity. Whenever you're not using these items simply flick the switch on the power strip to completely turn off everything that's plugged into it. Research shows that 5 to 13% of a home's energy usage goes to these devices, so you might see some significant savings while putting fewer carbons into the atmosphere.

Reduce Paper Dependence

Paying bills online is a fantastic way to reduce clutter while reducing your carbon imprint. Your bills will stay in order, they won't get lost, and your piles will be smaller. By reducing your use of paper, and using recycled paper whenever possible, you'll help reduce deforestation, lower fuel usage and other transportation costs, and cut down on the tremendous amount of energy it takes to manufacture paper in the first place.