If you look around on the internet, in newspapers or other places where you will find various advertising going on it looks like there are a bunch of builders, remodelers and contractors of all kinds that are qualified to build to sustainable or green building standards. However, when you search on the state directories that show you finished construction that qualifies, you don’t see a lot of commercial and even less residential contractors and builders that are really building to the codes or standards of sustainable living.

This is just one reason to make sure you do your homework when looking to hire any type of contractor, general or sub-contractor, that tell you they build to these standards. There are two websites to look at first and learn everything you can. The first is the United States Green Building Council located here. You can also, look at the individual state chapter websites by Googling USGBC plus your state. The state website will supply a list of certified LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), which is an internationally recognized environmental program currently deployed in more than 30 countries around the world. It provides a means of verifying that a building or a group of buildings were designed and built in a way that would improve energy savings, water efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and CO2 emissions reduction. Pay attention to the LEED certification because there are several that include Platinum, the highest, followed by Gold, Silver and Certified.

If you are looking to do some renovation, then going to www.regreenprogram.org will be the best place to find out how to renovate with the latest green and sustainability technology and products. The ReGreen Program is a partnership between the USGBC and ASID (American Society Of Interior Designers) to help people do the right things and protect the average person from getting duped by unscrupulous contractors who profess they are following the guidelines for green building.

This website has information from appliances to a full remodel so no matter what you are attempting to do you can find up to date and reliable information. If you need additional information before you embark on your project, getting in touch with a certified LEED Architect or Interior Designer is always a great idea. Paying them for a few hours just to get the correct advice is money well spent and money that will return in time when the correct decisions are made.

Grocery shopping is a necessary evil. We need food to feed our families, but we also need to cut down on waste. Unfortunately many popular products come pre-packaged in cardboard and plastic, making it difficult to minimize waste at the grocery store. But there are things you can do.

Bring your own reusable bags. Most Americans have a few of these bags, but we usually forget them in our house or in the car. Make it a habit to grab these bags and use them every time you go grocery shopping. Beyond this, you can purchase mini reusable bags for the produce you purchase, so you don’t have to go overboard with the small plastic bags when picking out apples, oranges and other fruits and vegetables. Avoid the center aisles, because this is where most of the prepared foods are located. Prepared foods come in packages containing cardboard and plastic, both of which are unnecessary. While it may not be possible to completely avoid some waste at the grocery store, it’s up to us as consumers to do what we can to minimize our waste at the grocery store.

Everyone is starting to wake up regarding the state of our environment. People are taking a proactive step into teaching our children the importance of protecting our environment. Education is the best way to make sure our environment is taken care of for future generations. Along these lines, there are eco-friendly amusement parks being opened in America.

Envrionmentaland is the world’s first eco theme park, and is located in Hollywood, California. The park features a variety of environmentally friendly exhibits including a planetarium, energy playground, recycled paper plane takeoff and alternative energy golf cards. While it may not have the same thrill factor as other parks with rollercoasters and water slides, Environmentaland is a great alternative for families to take their children and enjoy a day of education mixed with fun. Experience how learning about the environment can be an enjoyable experience, and take the time to enjoy the simpler pleasures this theme park has to offer. If you’re looking for a fun day trip that’s off the beaten path, give Environmentaland a try.

Gardening is a great way to go green, and to provide your family with the utmost in nutrition and healthy, delicious food. Gardening is also an opportunity to reuse many old items you have lying around your home or garage in order to properly grow different types of vegetables.

For example, old fencing can be staked and used as a way of holding up pole beans, peas, and tomatoes. Bamboo chutes, or old tiki torches can be cut and used as markers for garden rows, or as stakes in your garden. Screens that are no longer used can be recycled and laid down over your mulch to prevent cats and other unwanted animals from going to the bathroom in your garden. Mulch is a great opportunity to do something helpful for the environment as well. For example, old hay and straw, and even old rubber hoses and tires can be chopped up and used as an excellent form of mulch. Get creative in your garden, and clear away some of the junk lying in your basement or garage this gardening season. Reuse many old items in your garden to have a fruitful growing season.

Have you heard the news about light bulbs? Congress has recently banned regular light bulbs from being sold in stores. Instead, retailers are required to provide CFL light bulbs for consumers from now on.

Congress intends on phasing out all outdated forms of light bulbs in order to use less energy across the United States. As we now know, CFL light bulbs burn brighter and longer, and also save more energy than regular light bulbs. Right now, consumers have the option regarding which type of light bulbs to purchase. However, by the year 2012, Congress expects all retailers to stop selling regular light bulbs. Many consumers are worried because CFL light bulbs are more expensive. However, because these light bulbs save money, consumers will actually being saving money on their utility bills. Additionally, these light bulbs last longer than traditional light bulbs, so consumers will be replacing their light bulbs less frequently, diminishing the need to purchase more. Stay tuned for more information on this influential piece of legislation as the United States moves towards greater energy efficiency.

Everyone is talking about tax season, stressing about tax season, and worried about getting their tax forms filled out and mailed to the IRS in time. Tax season is stressful for a variety of reasons, and many people worry about how they will pay their taxes. If you’ve invested in solar energy improvements this year, you can take advantage of many solar energy tax credits.

Tax credits are given to residents and businesses as incentive for investing in renewable energy. There are tax credits for solar energy systems, solar panels, and solar thermal systems. All of these appliances can lower your energy costs, but they can save you even more money when you take advantage of the tax credits they offer. There are federal tax credits given to all states, but it’s equally important to check with your tax professional about the possible tax credits specific to your state. Get the most out of your tax refund this year with solar energy tax credit incentives that lower your energy costs and stretch your solar investment even further.

It’s a new year, and what that means is new and brighter technology for the world. Because so many people are seeing the importance and need to begin living more environmentally friendly lives, “green” technology that minimizes our carbon footprint and utilizes renewable forms of energy are very popular this year. Here is a look at some green technology for 2011.

The Envi is a trash container that transforms everyday garbage and waste like banana peels and gum wrappers into nutrients for plants. Now you can create no-mess compost with little effort in your own kitchen! The Phillips Eco TV uses less power and has an automatic dimmer when the room gets brighter. The result? Less money spent on energy bills and a great looking television. The Voltaic Solar backpack has solar panels built into the back of the carrier so you can charge your cell phone or iPod while you hike! The SOLARBULB utilizes the sun’s energy in order to create a dim and romantically lit room anywhere in and outside your home. With these fun and creative gadgets it will be easier to live a more environmentally friendly life in 2011!

It’s the New Year, which means new sets of taxes are waiting to be paid. While we shell out thousands of dollars to Uncle Sam, let’s also try to realize that there are tax credits for homes looking to become more environmentally friendly.

Looking to invest in solar, wind, or other forms or renewable energy? Federal and statewide tax rebates and credits are offered to make installation of these costly systems more affordable. If you are considering installing a renewable energy system, consult with your installation company to find out all the available rebates for you. If you already have a renewable energy system installed in your home, be sure to stay current on any and all changes in tax credits that reward you for going green. Installing a renewable energy system can be expensive; luckily tax credits can offset the costs of many of these systems to make them a more viable source of energy for residential and commercial use. Stay up to date on all tax credit information and speak with a qualified renewable energy system installation company to learn more.

Reality television has run the gamut from silly to downright trashy. Now, HGTV has its own reality television show all about minimizing our carbon footprint. Living With Ed is a reality show that follows actor, and longtime environmental activist, Ed Begley Jr. Begley and his wife, Rachelle battle it out as Ed tries to convince his wife to use less and give more to Mother Nature. Ed’s wife wants to minimize the waste and energy she uses, but Ed’s tactics border on eccentric and extreme. The show is an entertaining look at the lives of a famous couple and how they work (and fight) to make their home more “green.”

Ed Begley attempts to make his home completely environmentally friendly, which is a source of contention in the Begley marriage (every reality television show has to have drama). Begley’s home features many A.O. appliances, including a hybrid water heater, and an electric hot water pump. Watch Living With Ed on HGTV and learn about new ways to improve your home and lifestyle, and how these ways effect the lives of a celebrity couple.

There are a lot of people who think that being green is difficult or time consuming. But I have news for them. Despite what Kermit the Frog may say, it is easy being green. Not only is being green easier, it is more practical as well.

There are plenty of things that people do that is an inconvenience for them and it is also bad for the environment. Buying plastic silverware and dishes is just one example. It costs you much more money to continue to buy more and more plastic dishes and silverware. And those dishes and such that you have used go straight to the landfill to pollute the earth.

There are plenty of other examples, such as using too much water when bathing or running the faucet too much when you are washing your hands or letting the hose just run water while washing your car. These things will increase your water bill. Also, leaving the lights on in rooms that no one is in can increase your electricity bill as well as burn coal that will harm the environment. Making note of these things is both good for you and good for the planet.