Green Living in Sacramento

Staying green in Sacramento is possible throughout the entire year once you know how. No matter if it's Christmas Eve or the dead of summer, Sacramento is well-equipped for smart environmental living.

Holiday Green Tips

The Environmental Council of Sacramento provides some great Holiday tips to keep your Christmas healthy and environmentally-friendly. Start by purchasing gifts that are smart for the environment.

Ask yourself if what you're purchasing is safe for both kids and the environment. Can it be reused? Has it been made out of recycled materials? Will it stand the test of time? Your gift may not meet all these requirements, but it can certainly hit at least one.

- Purchase gifts with lifetime warranties

- Purchase from a second-hand store - vintage is so popular and it makes for a unique gift every time

- Shop at Farmer's Markets or craft fairs to support local vendors who are already living green

- Give a "green" gift like recycled note cards, gardening supplies, edible treats or a homemade CD

Reuse gift bags and embellishments from last year - you can even make gift tags out of last year's holiday cards or calendars.

If you're throwing a holiday party, use recyclable serving dishes, and use last year's Christmas cards as place cards or labels for food and drink.

End the holidays on a green note by recycling your Christmas tree at an approved Sacramento Christmas tree recycling location. You can even invest in an artificial tree to save on waste, or use all edible/biodegradable decorations on your tree like popcorn garlands or candy canes.

Summer Green Tips

During the summer months, it can be difficult to stay cool in Sacramento. Fortunately there's still plenty you can do to beat the heat without beating up Mother Earth.

Take advantage of that crock pot to make delicious home cooked meals that don't take a lot of effort. Though they credit normally for winter goodness, there are plenty of great foods you can prepare in the slow cooker, and you will make less waste than you would be eating out at fast food or consuming other convenience foods to avoid spending a lot of time over a warm stove.

Invest in a metal water bottle - they are washable, reusable and economical. You'll save money you otherwise would've spent on plastic bottles every day, and you'll spare the landfills too. If you must use plastic bottles or aluminum cans in the summer months, be sure to recycle them.

At night and early morning when the weather cools, open your front door and windows and let in some fresh air. It will keep your house at a more comfortable temperature in the afternoon, and save money and energy used on the air conditioner.

Think of innovative ways to conserve water. Find out if you have a lawn watering schedule in your neighborhood, or wash small children in the bathtub together to avoid filling the tub up twice. Baby pool or water table water can be reused to hydrate backyard plants, and making homemade popsicles saves on both packaging and gas spent going to the store or ice cream shop.

General Green Tips

Be on the lookout for Energy Star labeling on appliances. This will protect the environment and also save you a bundle on your energy bill. You can also reuse your packaging from these appliances as well as many other around-the-house items for other things. Some ideas include craft time with kids, boxes for shipping packages, decorating for the various seasons, using in the garden, etc. The possibilities are endless.

Encourage kids to use both sides of the paper for coloring or drawing. Some home inkjet printers will also print double sided, which can be a great way to conserve paper. Save one-sided flyers and junk mail to use for shopping lists and to jot down notes - or switch to a smart phone app to stay even more organized.

Donate things wherever you can - Sacramento is filled to the brim with thrift stores, eyeglass and cell phone depositories and even book drops to donate to libraries or to disadvantaged children.

Green Sacramento Stores

Take some time to shop smartly. There are many of destinations to patronize in Sacramento that keep the environment in mind. The Environmental Council of Sacramento recommends:

Wildflower Boutique
Beauty Supply Stores, Clothing Store
1126 18th St
Sacramento, CA 95811
444-1006
They specialize in Organic and Sustainable Clothing, Handmade Gifts, & Organic Cotton for Baby. Great place for one of its kind gifts for friends and family.

Hip Baby Organics
Baby Stores, Clothing Stores
4730 Natomas Blvd, #120
Sacramento, CA 95835

Bella Floria Organics
Beauty Supply Stores
770 L St, Ste 950
Sacramento, CA 95814

Papillion Urban Organic Skincare
Beauty Supply Stores, Spas
1509 17th St
Sacramento, CA 95811
(916) 706-2321

You can also visit a local recycling center or farmers' market when you need to clear out some paper or plastic, or feel inspired to try a new healthy recipe. Living green in Sacramento is fun, easy and beneficial to us all.