Don't Be Fooled

Beware faux "green" claims. Look for well-vetted terms and/or a trusted third-party certifying organization. Some examples are the USDA's organic insignia; PETA's leaping-bunny logo for cruelty free; the Salmon Safe symbol for protected waterways; or Green Seal's certification for greener home products. 

Check out any certifications you don't recognize or claims that aren't supported before you buy. And be skeptical of "greenwashing" and of unregulated, vague promises like: natural (almost everything is), recyclable (nearly everything can be recycled) or green (what makes it green?). "Free range" means nothing, says Karen Perry Stillerman, a senior analyst with the Union of Concerned Scientists. And "cage free" doesn't necessarily mean that chickens run free.

Research fish choices before you buy. If you can read a paper, you already know that the oceans are being overfished. So skip the varieties with dwindling populations or the ones that are targets for poaching or overfishing. Limit your exposure to mercury and other toxins by choosing smaller varieties of fish and avoiding some farm-raised options. The Monterey Bay Aquarium regularly updates a list of healthy choices, taking into account sustainability and pollution. Or check the Blue Ocean Institute's Guide to Ocean Friendly Seafood.

Plan Meat Purchases Carefully

Plan meat purchases carefully. Only purchase as much as you know you'll need or use. The average person wastes more than 22 pounds of edible store-bought meat each year. Given that is takes 5 pounds of grain and 2,500 gallons of water to produce just one pound of beef, that's more than 100 pounds of wasted grain and 55,000 gallons of wasted water per person. 

Avoid foam or plastic containers that cannot be recycled. Instead, opt for cardboard, aluminum foil (which is easy to recycle) or recyclable plastics graded 1 or 2.

Preheating Wastes Energy

Don't preheat your oven if you are broiling, roasting or baking a dish that will cook for an hour or more. Don't preheat for more than 10 minutes for breads and cakes. And when roasting meats or baking casseroles, turn off the oven 10-15 minutes before cooking time runs out; food will continue to cook without using the extra electricity. 

By reducing the time your oven is on by one hour per year, you'll save an average of 2 kWh of energy. If 30 percent of U.S. households did this, 60 million kWh of energy could be saved.

Eat More Grains and Produce

Eat lower on the food chain. The higher up you go, the greater the environmental impact. That means more grains and produce.


Add vegan meals to your diet. Electing to go vegan for just one meal a week can impact the planet.