because green is the new black

If any of you have spent any time at all this week watching anything on NBC, you've probably noticed the "Green is Universal" campaign they've been promoting. Aside from friendly commercial reminders to be kind to the environment, every show that has aired on the network this week has had green undertones. The reporters on the Today Show went to the ends of the earth to discuss the effects of global warming at the Arctic Circle, the equator, and Antarctica. 30 Rock let David Schwimmer (aka Greenzo) and Al Gore help them with the green campaign -- which was actually pretty funny. Michael Scott spent his half hour on The Office trying to survive in the wilderness while Jim Halpert tried to cut down on excessive birthday party waste. The local NBC news aired segments on reducing, reusing, and recycling in the city. So basically, NBC has worked really hard to drill into my brain the importance of being green, and now I can't help but sit and think about what I do to help the earth.

So here is a list of things I do -- usually without even trying because let's face it, I'm not a rabid tree-hugger -- that apparently make me green.

• I recycle glass, paper and plastic products -- mostly because it's required to do so here in NYC.
• I drink water from a reusable water bottle instead of buying cases and cases of Dasani or whathaveyou -- mostly because it's cheaper.
• I salvage old clothes for buttons and fabric scraps -- mostly because it's a less expensive way to experiment with sewing. What items I don't cut up, I donate to Goodwill.
• I don't use canvas shopping bags, but I do reuse the plastic shopping bags as garbage can liners.
• We have a few energy-saving lightbulbs throughout the house, and eventually Blake wants all of our lightbulbs to be those funky-looking eco-friendly ones.
• I don't throw stuff away unless I'm sure I can't use if for something else. Waste not, want not, my friends.
• I re-gift gift bags, if they're in decent enough shape.
• I don't know if this truly counts as being green, but I eat leftovers.
• I walk and use public transportation (because I don't have a car anyway).
• I don't litter. Because, really people. I'm a grown-up. I know how to use a garbage can.
  

So, yay. Without trying too hard, I'm apparently helping the earth. Go me.