Five Myths about Going Green

Protecting the environment, or going green, is something more and more people are doing these days. You may be wondering if the things you do will make an impact. Here are five myths to bear in mind.

1. One of the misconceptions about going green is that it uses more energy to recycle than it saves. However, part of the reason recycling is used by many manufacturers is that it does actually save energy. For instance, it takes 95% more energy to make a new aluminum can than recycling one. Another benefit of recycling, at least aluminum, is that it can be recycled repeatedly.

2. Another myth about going green is that it is better to keep an old appliance and get it fixed rather than buying a new one. Appliances can be expensive so no one would blame you for trying to save money by repairing an old appliance instead of getting something new.

However, if you are looking from a purely green standpoint, buying new is definitely ‘greener.’ Newer appliances are made to be more efficient, which means you will save up to 90% energy usage with them. Check with the retailer to see if they will remove the old appliance and recycle it.

3. The idea that building a green house is expensive is another myth. While it may be more expensive during the building process, the energy savings can be substantial. It is also relatively easy to incorporate green designs into homes and buildings - often without adding to the cost.

4. Still others believe the myth that the main reason for choosing to go green is that they are concerned about their ‘carbon footprint.’ The truth of the matter is that most people are going green to save money on their heating and cooling bills. Less than 30% of those going green do so because of their concern for the environment.

5. Finally, the last myth that people often believe about going green is that the little bit that they do won't make a difference. The truth is that even small changes can improve things environmentally. Think about the things you can do:

* Save water by watering your lawn and garden during the cool of the day, turning the water off while brushing your teeth, ensuring there are no water leaks in your home and running only fully loaded washing and dishwashing machines.

* Save electricity by turning off lights when you leave a room, setting your thermostat down a couple of degrees when no one is home and setting the thermostat down on your water heater.

* Save gasoline by car-pooling, keeping your car’s engine tuned up and keeping your tires properly filled.

As you can see, there are many myths about going green. You will want to decide if the potential savings are worth the effort of making the changes for your family and the environment.