Green Living

Updated 4/2012

General Info

The Green Guide
Use this well-organized site to help you make green choices from National Geographic. Includes links to local information.

Green Tips
General information from the Illinois EPA on protecting our environment.

Green Cleaning

Consumer Reports
Homemade cleaner recipes from the Consumer Reports’ Greener Choices site.

Yahoo! Green
Nice list of affordable and effective green cleaners to buy.

Green Consumers

Personal Emissions Calculator
Calculate your personal greenhouse gas emissions or your family's greenhouse gas emissions. Explore actions you can take to lower your emissions while reducing your costs.

Greener Choices
Consumer Reports® lists green products and information for the earth-friendly consumer.

Green Driving

FuelEconomy.gov
Developed by the DOE and EPA, this fuel economy website contains an electronic version of the Fuel Economy Guide and features updated fuel economy data for new and used passenger vehicles dating back to 1985, and offers fuel-saving tips.

Fox Valley Electric Car Association
The northern Illinois chapter of the Electric Auto Association. Learn more about electric transportation.

Green Eating

Illinois Department of Agriculture and Farm Direct
Lists of local Farmer’s Markets and Farm Stands.

Local Beet - Chicago 
Columns, forums, and a blog about eating locally.

Local Harvest
Restaurants and markets selling locally grown and/or organic food. The nationwide search feature is nice if you’re traveling.

Green Reading

Alternate Transportation - booklist

Green Ideas! A Selection of Fiction and Nonfiction Titles

Reuse and Recycle

City of St. Charles Recycling Program

Kane County Recycles
Info about Electronics & Books Recycling Days, Used Motor Oil Program, Used Tire Recycling, Household Hazardous Waste and more.

Habitat for Humanity Restore, Elgin
A building materials reuse center benefiting Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley. ReStore accepts donated new and gently used goods and building supplies which are sold, at greatly reduced prices, to the general public.