There are a plethora of products out there that do the same things your current lights and appliances do, but are better for our environment. Next time you're looking for a replacement, try one of these products.

Basic Items Every Green Home Should Have:

General:

• CFL or LED lighting
  • See ENERGY STAR’s lighting page for more information and buying guides
• Energy efficient electronics and appliances
  • More tips from the US Department of Energy
• Sensors for lighting

Kitchen:

• Compostable / Biodegradable garbage bags
  • Click here for Associated Content’s “Guide to Biodegradable Trash Bags”
• Energy efficient appliances
  • Natural Resources Defense Council’s guide to efficient appliances ()
  • More tips from the US Department of Energy
• Cloth napkins
  • See Care2’s article on paper products versus cloth napkins
• Recycled paper products
  • Read the Natural Resources Defense Council’s “A Shopper’s Guide to Home Tissue Products”

Bath:

• Non-toxic cleaners
  • Read the Green Home Living Magazine’s article, “Which Eco Cleansers Work?” (http://www.greenhome.com/info/magazine/001/whichwork.html)
  • Planet Green’s “How to Go Green: Cleaning”
• Recycled paper products
  • Read the Natural Resources Defense Council’s “A Shopper’s Guide to Home Tissue Products”
• Natural hand soaps, free of anti-microbial agents
  • A list of Green Seal’s certified hand soaps
• Water-efficient showers, etc.
  • See the EPA’s WaterSense Program page for products, a savings calculator, etc.

Outdoors:

• Compost bin
  • The EPA’s Website has everything from frequent questions to laws regarding composting
• Rain barrel
  • The EPA’s quick rain barrel info (http://www.epa.gov/Region3/p2/what-is-rainbarrel.pdf)
  • The State of Rainwater Harvesting in the U.S.
• Non-toxic pest controls
  • Check out Planet Green’s page on Natural Pest Control
• Solar-powered outdoor lights
  • See Mother Earth News’ article on “How to Choose Outdoor Solar Powered Lights”