reuse old paper for printing
I save all the papers that my kids bring home from school that have blank backs and reuse them in my printer. That way everything gets used fully before heading to the recycling bin, and since I am a writer most of it ends up sticking around in my folders and files. That way I have my saved research right along with my children's school memories.
-Wenona

reuse paper for notes, lists and messages
This tip isn't original by far, but in an effort to reduce/reuse/recycle my used paper at home and in the office, I recycle and re-recycle computer paper. I only print out absolutely necessary items, archiving all others on my computer for future reference. For the items that I do have to print, I either reuse the printer paper on the opposite side or take several sheets and cut them into four pieces to use as note paper for telephone messages, shopping lists, etc. The used note paper and printer paper, which has been used on both sides, is then shredded and I save that for use as packaging material in gift bags/boxes instead of tissue paper, and as an alternative to plastic bubble wrap when shipping items. For those bubble wrap junkies who love to pop the stuff, I even discovered a website for virtual bubble wrap, complete with sound--http://www.virtual-bubblewrap.com/popnow.shtml
-Susan

natural microwave cleaner
Winning Submission!
The easiest way to clean the greasy gunk build up in your microwave also allows you to "recycle" fruit. If you have lemons that are about to go off, instead of throwing them away, cut them into quarters, squeeze the juice into a microwave-safe glass bowl, then put the quarters in the bowl. Add about 1/4 cup of water, and set the dish in your grimy microwave. Microwave for 1 to 2 minutes. The steam from the lemons and water cut through the grease and eliminate lingering food smells. Wipe down the interior of the microwave with a clean, damp cloth and compost the lemons.
-moormookie

natural garbage deodorizer
Before you place a new bag in your kitchen garbage, sprinkle a few drops of peppermint oil inside. It will keep things smelling fresh and minty, plus it repels mice and bugs.
-Christy

natural disposal deodorizer
I highly recommend this tip! Deodorize your garbage disposal with a lemon or lime cut into small wedges. Throw the wedges in the garbage disposal and run some hot water while it works. Your entire kitchen will smell of fresh lemons/limes, and you will not be putting any harsh chemicals down the drain to refresh the smelly disposal.
-Hilda

water filter to save water
I have a water filter built into my sink. Tea is my choice of drink, and it tastes best if the water doesn't have that chlorine taste. I always felt guilty about letting the water run down the drain while waiting for it to clean out. Now I have a watering can ready to catch it to water my houseplants. It is better for them, and I feel better.

Thanks for Organic Style online.
-Alison

compost coffee and filters
Recycle the large plastic coffee containers from work, volunteer places or home. Use one to transport your daily compost trimmings and coffee grounds to your composter outside; use one to put small hand tools in a closet, or use one to carry small garden hand tools from chore to chore around the yard!
-Lavender Lady

unplug your appliances
This might be a no-brainer, but it occurred to me recently that there's really no need to keep your microwave oven plugged in when not in use.  Most people have a wall clock, so keeping it plugged in for the time just seems...well, silly.Just my $.02.
-Jasmine

save water
An easy way to save water is by placing a plastic tub in your kitchen sink. Collect water in it when you rinse fruits and vegetables. Also, save water when you do the dishes or wash your hands—be sure to use bio-degradable soap. You can then re-use the water from your kitchen sink on your outdoor or indoor plants.
-Lauren

reuse your cleaning pads
To clean my wood and tile floors I use a micro-fiber pad I bought at the store instead of the throw-away pads recommended to use with the "wet jet". It will stick to the bottom just like the wet jet pads you purchase! You can rinse and let it dry if the floor is not too dirty, or just throw it in the washing machine if it is very dirty. Less expensive and less waste in the landfills! Hope this helps, love your website!
-Gerri

mulching tip
For those who have pine trees in small yards, you know how many of those pesky needles tend to get in the way. We used to bag them up for garbage, but then realized they're great mulch for gardens. Spread the needles around tomato plants about an inch thick. The plants will love the acidic value, plus the mulch keeps weeds out and moisture in!
-Kathy

natural gardening water system
Hook up a soaker hose to a rain barrel, snake it around your veggie garden and taste the difference! Your plants will appreciate the rain water, and you'll save on water.
-Kathy

natural fertilizer
Looking for ways to eliminate the weeds that grow in sidewalk cracks? Mix 2–3 tablespoons of salt to 2 quarts of vinegar and place in a spray bottle. Spray on weeds. The vinegar kills the weeds, and the salt keeps them from coming back for at least a month. It does take about two to three days to take effect. No need to pull weeds, and no need to use a harsh chemical weed killer!
-Kate

reuse water
When our dehumidifiers in the basement are full, I carry the removable tank of water up the stairs and outside to water plants and trees.
-Heather

protect your garden gloves
To keep from having to buy new garden gloves, get the rubber finger tips from an office supply store--the ones used to help turn pages. Stick them into the tips of your gloves to keep your fingernails from poking those inevitable holes. If the glove fingers are fitted, the tips stay in with no problem, and your gloves last a lot longer.
-Janet

carry around a glass jar
One thing that really cuts down on waste is to carry a glass jar with you for beverages. (An old peanut butter jar and lid, for instance, works great!) A glass jar is a sturdy, easy-to-seal alternative to accumulating a gazillion paper cups and plastic bottles over the course of a week. It holds hot coffee well, looks nice, doesn't leach toxic chemicals, is easy to clean, and is tough enough to withstand the slippery clutches of klutzes like myself!
-Maya

reuse plastic bags
I always reuse the plastic bags from the stores for garbage.
-Bobbie

reuse paper for notes, lists and messages
This tip isn't original by far, but in an effort to reduce/reuse/recycle my used paper at home and in the office, I recycle and re-recycle computer paper. I only print out absolutely necessary items, archiving all others on my computer for future reference. For the items that I do have to print, I either reuse the printer paper on the opposite side or take several sheets and cut them into four pieces to use as note paper for telephone messages, shopping lists, etc. The used note paper and printer paper, which has been used on both sides, is then shredded and I save that for use as packaging material in gift bags/boxes instead of tissue paper, and as an alternative to plastic bubble wrap when shipping items. For those bubble wrap junkies who love to pop the stuff, I even discovered a website for virtual bubble wrap, complete with sound--http://www.virtual-bubblewrap.com/popnow.shtml
-Susan

creative recycling tips
For the people who still buy and use plastic water bottles, they can turn it into a fun toy very easily. Engage a kid you know to do this with you. Cut the bottom off of a "recyclable" water bottle. Cut a plastic bag that your newspaper comes in into strips. Use clear packing tape to attach strips to the cut side of the bottle. Now toss that little comet you've made like a football and see how far it can go!
-April

reuse with color coding
My husband Bruce and I enjoy camping in a camp trailer, but we don't enjoy the wasted gas it would take to drag the trailer around with us on trips. So we leave our trailer at a seasonal campground (April through mid-October) about an hour and a half from our home and use it like a vacation home, going by car to visit various sights in the area, hiking, etc. We attempt to apply our green lifestyle when we're camping, too. We conserve water, we use very little electricity and propane fuel, we don't have an air conditioner, and we use organic dishwashing and cleaning products that won't harm the water supply. When friends visited us last year, they commented that it was comical to see us use cloth napkins, handtowels, etc. and real dishes instead of paper products. "Doesn't that defeat the purpose of camping?" My husband had a good retort: "Not really, unless you think the purpose of camping is to spoil the woods you're relaxing in."

Here's the tip part. I learned this from the women who lived through the Depression and World War II. Whether you're at home, camping, or on the road for a picnic, get each member of the family a distinctive napkin ring and/or use cloth napkins of different colors. Everyone gets a clean napkin in the morning and uses it for all meals and snacks during the day. If it gets really soiled, it can be replaced with a clean one, but usually all we do with a napkin is catch crumbs in it and wipe our finger tips. We do only one small load of wash per week for all the cloth napkins, placemats, hand towels and dish towels used.
-Mary Elizabeth

don't toss those scraps
Wastefulness is a big problem in America, and you can help fight it by composting your kitchen scraps. So many valuable items are carelessly tossed away when they could be fertilizing your lawn. Fruits, veggies, and even dryer lint and tea bags can be tossed into a compost pile. Avoid putting meat and other foods into your pile that would attract vermin to your yard. In addition to helping the environment, you'll also be improving soil quality.
-Jacqueline

reuse your cleaning pads
To clean my wood and tile floors I use a micro-fiber pad I bought at the store instead of the throw-away pads recommended to use with the "wet jet". It will stick to the bottom just like the wet jet pads you purchase! You can rinse and let it dry if the floor is not too dirty, or just throw it in the washing machine if it is very dirty. Less expensive and less waste in the landfills! Hope this helps, love your website!
-Gerri

mulching tip
For those who have pine trees in small yards, you know how many of those pesky needles tend to get in the way. We used to bag them up for garbage, but then realized they're great mulch for gardens. Spread the needles around tomato plants about an inch thick. The plants will love the acidic value, plus the mulch keeps weeds out and moisture in!
-Kathy

shop the bulk section
When I grocery shop, each time I try to learn more about "bulk" shopping. I try to add at least one item on a bulk basis. For example, I just learned that where I shop they have peanut butter (my favorite brand!) in bulk. So, next time I shop I am bringing my own glass container and filling it with peanut butter. This will cut down on the number of times I throw that glass container in the recyclable bin. It is fun doing this and I also feel very good about not filling up our land fills. Oh yeah, I also shop the co-op, so I am supporting local, organic farmers. I love it!!! Everyone should try it and see how good it makes you feel!
-Mary

pet hair removal
Instead of using disposal sticky strips to remove pet fur from furniture, wet a small cloth and wipe the hair off. The hair sticks to the damp rag as well as all those strips that needlessly end up in landfills, and you save electricity by not using the vacuum.
-Leah

natural clothing softener
Naturally soften your clothes without chemicals, remove detergent residue, save money on softener, and help the environment. When washing your clothes, add two cups of white vinegar to the rinse cycle. Or for an experiment, do laundry as you normally would except add two cups of white vinegar instead of detergent. Watch as clothes suds up when washing--just as if you put detergent in.
-Seabella

give green bags
If you are going to take groceries to someone who's ill or having a rough time, buy a Green Bag (only $.99 for a reusable handle bag), then deliver the food to the shut-in or well deserving family in the Green Bag. This way they have the bag to use in the future!
-Mary

help yourself, help others
I have a couple, something that will help others and yourself: When you prepare a sandwich for yourself, make an extra one to give to someone you see in need. You will be amazed at how good that makes you feel.

Join a giving site. www.freecycle.org recycles items that people no longer need. Just sign up and you can donate furniture or other items you no longer use. You can stipulate if a person has to come to your home or meet somewhere to pick up the item.
-Sarita

car tips that save you money
·Keep vehicle tires properly inflated. You can save up to 3% mpg.
·Changing the air filter can increase gas mileage up to 10%.
·Every 5 mph over 65 increases your gas price $0.20 per gallon.
-A Good Reader

give others the right of way
Sometimes, I am a bit late/behind in where I am headed; however, most of the time, that’s not the case. On those occasions when you are not in a rush, there are numerous steps you can take to decrease automotive hydrocarbon output. A few:
·Drive in the right lane of a highway a couple of miles per hour under the speed limit. You will get to your destination on time, just a bit later and save some hydrocarbons.
·In CA, even though pedestrians have the right of way, that doesn’t mean they have to use it. When I am at a crosswalk and note a bunch of cars headed for the crosswalk, I just stay on the sidewalk, rather than make at least one, but possibly many more, cars idle while I cross the street. If several cars are near the crosswalk after I began crossing, I just stop walking and wave to them to proceed through.
·Find the least gas-intensive way to get to an oft-traveled destination, such as work or school. After doing some testing, I found out that my Prius used less gas if I go locally/use surface streets rather than taking the highway. Since I have a relatively short commute, it adds only a very few minutes to my trip.
-Marc

natural carpet deodorizer
Before I vacuum the carpets and area rungs in my house I sprinkle a fair amount of baking soda over each rug. Once I have finished all of the rugs, I go and vacuum. This not only deodorizes but helps to lift dirt and brighten the colors. I have one child, two dogs and one cat--so things are always being tracked onto the rugs. The baking soda works wonders without filling the air with heavy perfumes or harsh cleaning products. I also sprinkle it on the pet beds and vacuum up after a half hour, which helps to combat pet dander and unwanted odors.
-Karen

natural toilet bowl cleaner
Here's a toilet bowl cleaner that is safe for pets and the environment: Pour 3 cups of white vinegar into the toilet bowl. Swish around and up under the rim. Let sit for 30 minutes. Flush.
-Valerie

turn off your lights
My favorite feel good, do good tip is to downsize. We are moving to a smaller house to conserve energy. Some other things you can do to help is to take a shorter shower, turn off unnecessary lights, and only heat the rooms in your house that you actually use.
-Melissa

cool your house
Install a whole house fan to cool your house quickly once the sun goes down and save on air conditioning.
-Barbara

mindful in your move
My tips come as I'm about to move into a new apartment in San Francisco that I have recently purchased: Use environmentally- friendly, zero-voc paint. The environmental impact is much greater than the cost savings in paint. Most people don't need more than 5-10 gallons of paint for a house. Savings by using cheaper paint instead of zero-voc paint averages about $10/gallon, so the overall savings is only in the $50-$100 range.

Buy a water filtration system instead of having water delivered to your door. Over the course of a year you save money and it's much better for the environment. Water is heavy and takes a lot of gas to truck around the country and the world.
-Sarah

get informed
Do your homework. I think the best thing you can do to help the planet is to simply become informed. If you know that a grocery store nearby sells recycled facial tissues instead of using virgin-fiber facial tissues, you could make a big difference. According to a "did you know" fact on the Seventh Generation website (www.seventhgeneration.com) "if everyone in the US replaced just one box of 85-percent virgin-fiber facial tissue with 100% recycled ones, we could save 280,000 trees." That seems like a big difference to me! 
-Alexandra