Buy Green, Save Green

This Memorial Day weekend offers shoppers the chance to save money and help the environment by purchasing Energy Star-approved appliances tax free. The Energy Star sticker indicates that the item adheres to “strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the EPA and US Department of Energy.” Visit the Window on State Government web site for more information about the tax-free weekend.

Buying energy-efficient appliances is only the beginning. Here are a few more tips for being green from John Javna’s new edition of the classic 50 Simple Things You Can Do to Save the Earth:

• Learn about and talk to your legislators about electric cars.


• Plant a tree.


• Set up a rain barrel.


• Don’t take a bag at the store if you only have an item or two.


• Buy organic and avoid genetically engineered food.

The Austin Public Library will be hosting free series of Green Livin' talks presented by Austin Energy beginning June 6th. Come by for information on green building, harvesting rainwater, conserving energy, and saving money. Below are additional resources available for check out at your library:

Green: Your Place in the New Energy Revolution by Jane Hoffman

Hey Mr. Green: Sierra Magazine's Answer Guy Tackles Your Toughest Green Living Questions by Bob Schildgen

The Eco Chick Guide To Life: How to Be Fabulously Green by Starre Vartan

The Complete Guide to a Green Home: The Good Citizen's Guide to Earth-Friendly Remodeling & Home Maintenance by Philip Schmidt

The Green Book: The Everyday Guide to Saving the Planet One Simple Step at a Time by Elizabeth Rogers

The Lazy Environmentalist: Your Guide to Easy, Stylish, Green Living by Josh Dorfman.

Who Killed the Electric Car? [videorecording]

Building Green [videorecording]