From Kitty Tierney, Impressions Salon Owners - Milwaukee, WI

I realize "going green" totally is a difficult task. But there are so many simple things we all can do. To get started, just choose one thing that will have the greatest impact, whether it's how you recycle your garbage or switching out your lighting. Every light bulb we change, every bit of turbine wind powered energy we purchase, or solar blinds we select, will make a difference. Don't get overwhelmed by changing everything all at once! Make one change and you'll feel so good about it that you'll start looking into what your second change will be, until one day you'll look back and be amazed by all the changes you've made. Here are some good ways to get started:

1   Conservation is simply using less. This is the easiest way for anyone to start. Start using recycled paper, fair trade coffee and natural cleaning products (vinegar is cheaper than Windex). Recycle your ink cartridges (Office Max takes them), instead of throwing them in the dumpster.

2   The internet has unlimited information on simple things like natural cleaning products, paper products, bio-degradable garbage bags and more. I subscribe to treehugger.com and have learned so much from them.

3   Milwaukee has a fabulous place called the Urban Ecology Center to learn about the changes you can make. I'm sure there are other places like it in cities around the country.

4   I subscribe to numerous magazines. Dwell, Natural Home and Azure are a few that have taught me about green décor.

5   Wisconsin Energy (WE) gives you the option to use wind power and other states probably have other options as well. You know those little mailers that come with your bill? You need to actually read them. Just so you know, it does cost a bit more to purchase alternative power from WE. With my contract, my costs are locked in for a number of years, so I believe eventually it will even out. We offer more educational dollars to our staff if they sign up as an incentive.

6   I also choose to participate in a voluntary program, "Energy for Tomorrow," which decreases use of power plants fueled by coal and natural gas, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. I am getting 42% of my energy from landfill gas, 1% solar and 57% wind power.

7   Impressions changed lighting fixtures to only energy efficient fixtures (Energy Star) using energy-saving florescent bulbs. Our energy use is reduced by 30-50%. Each bulb changed (and we had 144) will save $5.00 and shed 79 pounds of carbon dioxide a year from your carbon footprint.

8   There are designers now specializing in green design. I worked with a designer, Chris Sanger, during my recent remodel and he taught me about the real green and the bogus green.

9   We use fixtures and furniture by Ikea, Blu Dot, 2modern and other environmentally conscientious companies using only recycled, renewable and sustainable products. Etopa makes a commitment to the world by building shelving with renewable woods and naturally harvested lumber. Flor makes corn carpet that is biodegradable when you're done with it and it comes in individual squares, so if you get a huge stain or traffic pattern you can replace a single square.

10   Every day there are more quality, organic product options for purchase. We use a line of organic skin care (Éminence) and organic haircare (Aveda, Pureology). We also use vegan nail, skin, foot care (Sparituals), polishes, creams, lotions and treatments.
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