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Earth day is a day to honor planet Earth.  It’s also a day to commit to environmental awareness in our lives and in our businesses.  There are many paths to green living.  Some celebrate Earth Day once a year, while others are looking to live green all year long.     Regardless of which path you choose, being environmental aware includes utilizing resources already present in our lives to lighten the load on our environment.    Most of us have access to technology, so why not use it to go green on Earth Day?  Here are 27 eco-friendly tips to do just that:

1. Telecommute one day a week or once a month.
2. Recycle cell phones that are no longer used.
3. Switch to paperless billing.
4. Have a virtual meeting. Use video conferencing instead of travel.
5. Use a smart thermostat to reduce energy costs.
6. Use a smart power strip for your computer or wireless phone charger.
7. Sensors in the strip turn off the power supply when the items are not in use, saving electricity and money.
8. Use email for correspondence.
9. Create an e-brochure vs. a printed brochure and for sales calls and presentations.
10. On sales calls, use a USB memory stick and electronically leave your e-brochure and presentation with your client.
11. Move to a paperless office.
12. Replace your paper planner with an electronic one. PDA‘s: Blackberry and smart phones all have contact management capabilities.  Take it a step further and close the reuse/recycle loop and purchase a used one from eBay or Craig’s list.
13. Get your daily dose of green and subscribe to blogs: BestGreenBlogs, ModernHippieMag, and Taiga Company.
14. For birthday cards and notifications, try sending an e-card or using an online party planning tool.
15. Share your photos online.
16. Commit to all online banking:  statements, bill, and payments.
17. File your taxes electronically; if receiving a refund, elect to have it automatically deposited to your bank account.
18. Empty file cabinets: scan and store electronically, use the paper as scratch paper then recycle it.
19. Read your books online: subscribe to e-books.
20. Use Digital Post it notes
21. Online e-zines, blogs, and PDF versions of printed magazines are becoming more and more popular, both as a replacement for and a supplement to printed publications.
22. Utilize social media tools (Facebook, digg, StumbleUpon) to share information: favorite websites, cool videos, and even gift ideas.
23. Learn 50 new ways to use your iPod for more than music.
24. Continuing education: look into online education and online classrooms.
25. Stay in touch with friends and family via email, Facebook, or start your own blog.
26. Use the internet for resources for Eco Awareness and Action.

Here’s wishing the best to you and Planet Earth this Earth Day!

Julie Urlaub

Julie Urlaub is Founder & Managing Partner of Taiga Company, a sustainability consulting firm located in Houston, Texas dedicated to accelerating the integration of sustainability concepts in business. Today, Julie speaks, writes, and advises clients on a variety of issues related to the intersection between environmental stewardship, and sustainable business practices. Her writing has been featured in SocialYell’s Corporate Advice, the GreenEcomonyPost, the Business Exchange and, the ThinkGreenAlliance. Connect with Taiga Company on Facebook and Twitter. Also Find Julie on LinkedIn.