When it comes to being green, envy is not the most appealing of images.  Neither is the thought of turning green from the sensation that comes with mixing roller coaster rides and corn dogs.  Rather, being Green is now considered a lifestyle choice.  It is a way of life that is good for the environment & future generations that actually want to have an environment in which to grow up!  There are so many choices on the shelf at the market that cry out to our hearts "protect the planet" and warn our wallets "Buy generic, lady, I'm expensive".  These very simple cleansers, cottons, and other miscellaneous home items advertise that they are "better for the earth"  than their less-expensive counter-parts, and while that may be true, I just don't believe that you can simply purchase the concept of "being green".  It is something that has to speak to your spirit and whisper in your ear not to be wasteful while you're cleaning out the fridge, or in a hurry.  Green is not glamorous, it is an overflowing recycle bin in the garage that sometimes smells because the kids forgot to rinse out the last of the milk from the #2 plastic jug!  Going green is not about walking through the produce aisle snubbing ordinary fruits and veggies shining happily in their pesticide-encased waxed-coatings.  Sure, buying organic will put less chemicals into the earth, but it is possible to wash off those toxins, if you take the time to do it right.  There are some fruits like strawberries that are so porous it is actually better to buy organic.  But some things that are peeled, like bananas, are OK to pluck from the practical produce aisle.  If you think that I'm missing the point behind sustainable farming, you're wrong.  It is just that I recognize the difference between going extreme (which is usually expensive) and going green, which is rational.  It is possible to make simple choices that won't raise your budget by a couple of hundred extra dollars each month, or even the hundreds of thousands of dollars that a major over-haul would cost in the form of solar panels, low-water washer & dryer, or hybrid car.  My point is that even if you don't have it in your budget to replace all of your linens with organic cotton (I think it must be made from recycled twenty-dollar bills...), buy all organic whole foods from a snobby supermarket, or upgrade your entire power-consuming necessities, you can still maintain a greener way of life!  Here are a few simple solutions to minimize waste, just in time for March! 
Take out less trash Part 1
We've all heard of ditching the plastic shopping bags for cloth, but how many of us have actually done it?  If you don't want to pay $15 for an organic cotton bag with that trendy Recycle logo on the side, just jet over to your local craft department!  The natural-cotton-canvas bags go for about $3 apiece, so for the same cost as that over-rated green logo, you get five bags for the price of one!  Whatever doesn't fit into your five bags at the store, go ahead & have it put into plastic ones, just be sure to use them as trash bags later on during the week. 

Take out less trash Part 2
Spend Saturdays getting Green!  Measure out two plots in the backyard, 3x3 feet.  Gather found items, such as natural rocks, old railroad ties, or worn tires.  Scrounge a salvage yard for old doors, windows, lumber,  or siding.  Now recycle these items into edging for your plots of earth.  (Windows make great green-house-style lids in early spring!)  Dig, rake, & till your dirt, adding potting soil, compost & mulch to one bed, and layering clippings, leaves, kitchen waste & dirt in the other.  Water both, & you now have a garden & a compost pile!  Plant veggies & flowers & you have created Free Organic Produce!  Keep a bucket with a lid under the kitchen sink for salad clippings, coffee grounds, & egg shells.  At the end of the week, spread onto the compost pile, layer with dirt & dried clippings & repeat!  By the end of the growing season, churn this into your garden for terrific home-grown soil! 

Take out less trash Part 3
Repurpose three old plastic crates or tubs as recycle bins in the garage!  Then you have to actually use them!  Wash out plastic & glass containers, and remove labels from cans & wash thoroughly before placing in bins.  This will not only keep the smell down, but will make these items easier to recycle!  Don't just put newspaper in there, either, recycle old magazines & you kids schoolwork, too!  Junk mail goes in there too!  If you have a shredder, your important documents can either go into the mulch pile, compost heap, or paper-recycle bin!  Now that is re-using!