Perspectives Perspectives GET IN ON GOING GREEN Simple tips to a greener life

that in many municipalities, tap water actually tastes better. Bottled water is not as well regulated and studies have shown that it is not even particularly pure.

The less energy we use, the lower our tuition bill might be. It’s tough to remember, but I hang a sign that I know I’ll see on the way out to remind me.

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Going green is something everyone can do but not everyone knows exactly how they can contribute. There are countless ways you can reduce your carbon footprint on a daily basis just by doing little things differently. Here are a few tips I utilize to help you live a greener, healthier and more ethical life.

Ditch the bottle! Many bottled water companies are simple scams that claim their water tastes better. Treehugger.com reports that taste tests have shown

A four-year study of bottled water in the U.S. conducted by the National Resources Defense Council found that one-fifth of the 103 water products tested contained synthetic organic chemicals. Companies like Coca-Cola just add salt to make it taste better. Instead of buying a case of bottled water, I use a Brita and fill a reusable bottle when I’m on the go.

Unplug those appliances! When not in use, DVD players, TV’s, stereos and other appliances continue using a small amount of power. So when you leave the room, instead of putting an away message up, unplug your laptop. Despite popular belief, turning a computer on and off won’t harm the equipment as long as it’s off for 15 minutes.

Go organic! Organic products cost less to produce because they are natural. Organic food is produced without antibiotics, genetic engineering, or synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. It’s better for your body and the environment. Organic clothing is also an option. Treehugger. com says though cotton is marketed as clean, fresh, and natural, conventional varieties are anything but. It takes a third of a pound of chemical fertilizers and pesticides to produce the cotton for one t-shirt. Popular companies like American Apparel and Jonäno have begun offering full lines of organic clothing. I purchase as many organic items I can at Whole Foods Market right on Lancaster Ave. and when I spot a tee

I like that is made with 100 percent cotton, I gotta have it!

Look for the labels! According to MSN.com, these labels are eco-friendly and trustworthy: USDA Organic, Rainforest Alliance Certified (ex: Jazzman’s coffee), Fair Trade Certified, Green Seal and Certified Humane.

Change the way you clean! Use more ecofriendly products like Clorox’s new line of Green Works cleaners that claim each product contains over 99 percent natural ingredients that are biodegradable. Eco-friendlier laundry detergents and bleaches cost no more than standard products. Wash with cold water? Even better. With these tips and plenty more available, you can find numerous ways to live green and make the world around you healthier and more efficient. More importantly, you save an enormous amount of green!