Home Stager ARE green and here are some reasons why...and other tips

First: 3 ways we eliminate waste and protect our environment:

• Reduce it first - A key part of waste reduction is "conservation". #1 use real glass, not Styrofoam or paper cups. 2nd; buy products that don't have a lot of layers of packaging. 3rd; before you buy something, ask yourself, "Do I really need this?" That's right; we say "If you don't need it, don't buy it!"
• Reuse is second - Home stagers are good at this: convert what you have for a new use like covering old books and using them on shelves instead of buying new accessories. Also reusing old furniture in new ways and cutting fresh flowers and branches from the outdoors instead of buying fresh. Another think you can do is use your own cloth sacks when you shop at the supermarket and outlets instead of accepting the paper or plastic bags. Paint coffee cans and store small objects on shelves.
• Recycle is third - Since recycling occurs when old products need to be transformed, recycling is the least favored thing you can do to protect your environment because it uses more energy and resources than either waste reduction or reuse. The home stager uses the same art, accessories, lighting, and furniture, over and over and over again.
  

Another important tip is to "precycle" by selecting locally recyclable products and packages when you shop.

(I am still on the fence about using "real plates" vs. paper plates. I would like to know what is more important to do; save water and soap to clean the "real plate" or to recycle the paper plate? Anyone have that breakdown?)

Here are some web sites that allow you to calculate your ecological footprint and at the end, most will show you how many planets it would take for everyone on Earth to live your lifestyle.

Adventures with Bobbie Bigfoot 

Best Foot Forward: Bring Sustainablility Down to Earth

Ecological Footprint Quiz

Global Footprint Network

The Green Office: Carbon Offsetting