It's taken a little time for mainstream America to catch up to the wisdom of the country's native American forefathers, but now with every man, woman and child in the United States generating over 1,600 pounds of garbage per year, with glaciers melting and the ozone layer shrinking, most Americans agree, it's time to "walk softly on the earth." Here are 10 simple ways to live a little greener.

1. Use water more efficiently. Water is a limited resource and limiting it within your household is a cornerstone of sustainability. Rain barrels are a good way to collect and reuse rainwater for purposes like gardening. Conserving water in the home by taking shorter showers or even fixing a leaky faucet also can make a significant difference.

2. Compost. Turning over leaves by way of a new compost garden is one way to live a more sustainable lifestyle. A compost heap is a simple, effective way to collect yard waste, like leaves and grass clippings, and kitchen scraps such as raw vegetable peelings and coffee grounds, and return them to the ground as organic matter.

3. Seek earth-friendly packaging. To better fill that compost heap, alter shopping habits to look for products with compostable packaging, or glass, plastic or cardboard packaging that can be recycled.

4. Buy local, embrace organic. Many farmers, ranchers and food manufacturers are offering foods and beverages made using sustainable practices. It could be a farmers market tomato, a local dairy's milk, or an organic snack food. The bottom line is that natural, organic and locally produced foods provide both sustenance and sustainability.

5. Go to seed. Take the locally grown movement a step further and plant a backyard garden. An afternoon spent planting seeds or small plants can yield plenty of rewards a few weeks or months later, in the form of fresh, inexpensive and convenient vegetables and fruits. You don't need a large tract of land. In fact, many plants do well in large, well-aerated containers. Just be sure to use potting soil in container gardening. Mother Earth does not like to be confined.

6. Hop on a bike. Sustain your own energy level by opting to ride a bike or walk to a destination that isn't all that far away.

7. Recycle. Recycling is nothing new and most people have been recycling in some form for years. But recycling can be taken to another level, going beyond obvious and traditionally recycled items like soda cans or newspaper to the smallest of waste materials, from plastic straws to the paper straw wrapper. Why not recycle apparel as well, by donating clothes and buying gently used clothes?

8. Plug in. Learn how to operate appliances more efficiently. For example, use cold water in the washing machine. Your clothes will still get clean without the use of heated water. Turn off appliances when they are not in use. Better yet, completely unplug them. Many electronics and battery chargers continue to draw a small amount of power even when they are switched off.

9. Lighten up. Use energy efficient lighting and bulbs when possible and turn oil lights when not in a room. That will cut energy use - and the family budget.

10. Get involved. Local communities, schools and organizations often have green committees, and there is a plethora of national and grassroots organizations geared around earth-friendly living that appreciate new volunteers or members. - ARA content

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