Cities are already eco-friendly places. Many of its residents use public transport, and the sheer density of urban areas forces its systems to be more efficient. But there's more you can do as an individual living in the concrete jungle. Here are 10 ways to live a little bit more eco-friendly in your home city.

1. Trade in your car keys for public transportation. You'll reduce carbon emissions and save money on gas and parking fees if you take your city's metro, bus or light rail to work. Not to mention, you'll take the stress out of your commute.
2. Find out how to recycle correctly in your city. Research your municipality's recycling and trash collection policy, or locate your nearest recycling center at earth911.org.
3. Carry a canvas or reusable bag in your purse or handbag for that impromptu grocery store stop. By doing this, you'll limit the number of plastic bags that end up in landfills, and remain there for a very, very long time.
4. Visit the farmers market. By supporting local agriculture, you're reducing the number of miles that your food has traveled (and therefore lowering carbon emissions), not to mention buying food that has often been organically grown. Visit the USDA website to locate your farmer's market by state.
5. Conserve water at home: take shorter showers. If you shorten your shower by four minutes, you can save up to 27 gallons per wash! You'll keep unnecessary water from the sewage stream, and you'll be indirectly saving energy and emissions that go hand-in-hand with treating the water that comes from your showerhead.
6. Conserve energy at home: unplug your unused appliances and electronics. By getting rid of phantom load-the energy sucked out of your wall by plugged-in appliances and electronics that are not in use-you'll save money and energy in your home.
7. Reuse your takeout containers. Why buy Tupperware when you've got all those containers from Sunday night takeout night? You'll cut down the amount of plastic that ends up in the waste stream, clogging up landfills without biodegrading.
8. Walk or ride your bike. It seems old-fashioned, but cities were made for walking, and some for biking. Hit the pavement instead of getting in a car and you'll save on gas, as well as getting a little exercise.
9. Outfit your home with potted plants like English ivy, peace lilies and bamboo palms. You'll improve your indoor air quality, and add a little bit of [literal] green to your life!
10. Rid yourself of unwanted catalogs forever. Log on to www.catalogchoice.org and get rid of those catalogs that end up in the trash. You'll be saving acres of forest cut down for virgin paper, and you'll thank yourself later for losing the headache of catalog season.

Related Resources

Related Articles Top 10 Budget Eco-Travel Destinations Top 10 Home Improvements for Energy Efficiency Top 10 Luxury Eco-Travel Destinations See All Related Articles

Related Eco Categories How to Guides Transportation & Travel Top 10s Science & Technology

Topics Gadgets & Products Health Business Saving Money Home

Tip of the Day Let Your Car Drive You Click to Pay Is a Better Way See All Tips

Glossary Post-consumer recycled (PCR) content Solid bleached sulfite Ingeo Greenwashing Organic Full Glossary

Site Resources Directory Answers Quizzes