The green lifestyle is booming and has in recent years become more accessible to the general public.

How can you incorporate going green into your life?

There are many online and book resources for you to use in your green transition. 

It is easy to live green in Ames, where a public transit system is accessible to the entire community. Riding the bus to class or to run errands reduces your carbon footprint.

Several companies in Ames are dedicated to making green products. You can find a great variety of these brands at your local retailers.

Be aware of the companies that engage in “green washing.” Green washing is when a company or organization wants people to believe that it is an active member of the green movement, when in fact it isn’t.

Look for the facts when purchasing green products. Most products will provide information about how much of the product comes from recycled goods, where it is sourced and what to do when you are finished using it. 

Recycling plays a key role in going green. Knowing what can and cannot be recycled is only half the battle. The other half is knowing where to take it.

Some apartment complexes have recycling containers, and most dorms do too, but if your apartment complex doesn’t, you can gather up your recyclables and take them to the Resource Recovery Plant in Ames, located at 110 Center Ave. 

Becoming green can have an effect in every aspect of your life. It’s not just about the goods you purchase or the gas you use, it’s also about the car you drive, how much water you use and how much electricity you consume. Improvements in any of these areas can help immerse you into the green lifestyle.

Changing soaps will also help transition you into a green lifestyle. There are many brands available, and they smell good too. Using green soaps reduces the amount of phosphate that is exposed to our water supply and reduces the amount of chemicals that are used to purify the water we drink.

Using reusable bags when you go to the grocery store is another great way to incorporate green into your life. They are available at almost every retailer, and many retailers will give you a discount for using a reusable bag. 

There are many options to consider when becoming green. You can either dive in and become 100 percent green or choose to cut five minutes off of your shower time. Every bit adds up.