Another option you could consider is a solar system for your home. With so many wonderful government programs available to reduce your out-of-pocket expense and some great financing programs available, solar is a real opportunity to do something great for your wallet and something great for the environment. Here's a link to some articles that you might find interesting:  http://www.sunchariotsolar.com/examiner-blog-feed?no=1. Good luck!

Here are some of the ways our family reduces our impact on the environment or behaves in environmentally-friendly ways:

>As much as possible, we take public transportation, bike or walk to local stores, libraries, museums, etc. This also saves us $ on parking, reduces stress, and benefits our physical health. Occasionally, we'll arrange carpools with friends if going to the same birthday party or event.

>We turn off lights we aren't using (which reduces electricity bill too), and we switched to more environmentally-friend light bulbs like these: http://www.greenhome.com/products/lighting/light_bulbs/113192/

>Our city now offers curbside pick-up of green waste (leaves, shrubs, etc.), and will soon be offering this service for kitchen/compost waste as well. However, we like to garden so may soon start a compost/worm bin instead.

>As much as possible, we use reusable containers in our daughter's cloth lunch sack. Here’s a website that supports ‘waste-free lunches’ with its products: http://reusablelunchware.com/store/

Regarding things schools can do: here’s a way families in school communities can collect chip bags and juice boxes to raise funds for the school: http://www.terracycle.net/

Here's another activity you can do with your family...

Write a Going Green Plan
http://www.education.com/activity/article/Write_Going_Green_Plan/

At the end of that activity page are some suggestions for simple ways to go green.

We have changed our cleaners to common household things such as cream of tarter to clean stains on the stove tops and microwaves,  baking soda to clean stainless steel sinks,  lemons down the garbage disposal for odor, baking soda is also good to sprinkle on the carpet to help with pet odors, vinegar and water to clean glass and windows (when cleaning windows it is best to use newspaper it prevents streaks),  and of course there are organic household cleaners out there that even the companies try to balance their carbon footprint (shaklee - method - and seventh generation) all have some great products that help heal the environment.  Not sure if these are the ideas you had in mind.

RECYCLE!!!!!!!!!

Hi,

Here are some easy ways to incorporate eco-friendly actions into your everyday life:

- turn off the lights when not in use
- unplug appliances when not needed (some appliances even though they are off still use up electricity)
- try to take shorter showers or turn off the water when not rinsing
- turn off the faucet or use a glass while brushing teeth instead of keeping the faucet running
- purchase a reusable water bottle and refill it with filtered water
- instead of throwing biodegradable kitchen waste into the garbage, place them in a compost bin or in the yard trimmings bin that your city has provided
- try not to watch TV and be on the computer (or other electrical devices) at the same time. Choose one and hit the power switch on the one not in use
- newspapers and magazines can make nice, unique gift-wrapping options
- Donate old clothes/household items, instead of sending them straight to the landfill (side note: old blankets, towels, etc. may be needed at your local animal shelter)

My 12 year old sister tries to do most of these things, but needs some reminding from time to time. Teaching her about how important it is to take care of our environment helps encourage her to be more "green" in her actions.

Hey,
        I have read your article about Education.Yes you are absolutely rght. And the work you are currently doing is great.