Green isn't hip. It isn't fashionable. It is a choice and a way of life.

Let's keep it that way by combating myths about green lifestyles.

You shouldn’t have to spend a fortune to make better decisions.

However, you will have to outweigh your current cost of an item to its long-term cost. For instance, if you are looking to purchase new bath towels, 100% cotton may be the cheapest. However, its absorbency and softness will last a year before you have to purchase a new set. How about a 100% organic bamboo towel set instead, which will last you longer but cost a little more money at the outset?

It’s a way of thinking about the environmental and social effects of your purchases before you make them. It is about how you live your life and use the things you acquire to contribute positively to society and the environment.

Not only can you recycle your old clothes, batteries, cell phones and iPods but you can donate them to charities or organizations that matter. Here are some sources to help you get started.

www.komputers4rkids.com / 562.860.7463 / info@k4rk.org
Komputers 4 R Kids is a 501 c(3) public charity and a State Licensed Collector of e-waste. They ensure that computer systems are reused and recycled and that they benefit kids.

www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com / 1.800.426.1031 /cellphonesforsoldiers@recellular.com
Cell Phones for Soldiers hopes to turn old cell phones into more than 12 million minutes of prepaid calling cards for U.S. troops stationed overseas in 2008. To do so, Cell Phones for Soldiers expects to collect 15,000 cell phones each month through a network of more than 3,000 collection sites across the country.

www.apple.com/environment/recycling / 1.800.MY.APPLE
Customers can bring iPods they no longer want to any of Apple’s 100 retail stores in the US for free environmentally friendly disposal, and those who drop off an iPod, iPod mini or iPod photo will receive a 10 percent discount on the purchase of a new iPod that day.

Know of more programs? Post them in the comments!