Jenn Savedge, mother of two, and author of The Green Parent: A Kid-Friendly Guide To Earth-Friendly Living (Kedzie Press) explains: “Conserve energy and you’ll have a lower electric bill and need less fuel at the pump. Reduce waste and you’ll spend less money at the store and have lower trash removal fees. And fix your leaky faucet to conserve water while slashing the cost of your annual water bill.” 

Filled with fun family projects like how to build a green bird house, Savedge’s new book offers easily-implemented suggestions to instill environmentally-friendly practices in your children. And we got her to share some exclusive pointers with us as well.

Jenn’s Tips As a busy working mom, I know how hard it is to juggle work, school, soccer games, PTA meetings, and family time. Add recycling and carpooling to the mix and things can quickly become unbalanced! So here are a few tips to help working moms go green without losing their sanity:

Make A Waste-Free Lunch: Pack a greener lunch for everyone in your family by steering clear of disposable, single-use items and opting for reusables instead. Pack sandwiches and sides in reusable containers, fill a thermos or reusable bottle with your drink of choice, throw in some reusable utensils and a cloth napkin, and load it all up in a cloth tote or lunchbox.

Go Paperless: Save trees and reduce your office costs by eliminating paper use whenever possible. Distribute memos and customer newsletters via email; use text messages instead of post-it notes; and share and edit documents using a wiki program.

Throw An Eco-Savvy Party: Whether your hosting your child's birthday bash or an adult-only soiree, make your next gathering green by sending invites via email, decorating with natural items like plants and flowers, using reusable dishes, utensils, and cloth napkins, and serving foods made from local and organic ingredients.

Learn more about The Green Parent: A Kid-Friendly Guide To Earth-Friendly Living (Kedzie Press) by Jenn Savedge at www.thegreenparent.com.