PlanIt For Life:
Raising animals for food uses 1/3 of all fossil fuel & raw materials in our country. Additionally, 125,000 sq. miles of rain forest are destroyed for raising animals for food each year. Reducing or eliminating meat from your diet is one of the most impactful things you can do for our environment and for the future of our planet!
Appliances
Energy Efficient Appliances: The refrigerator is one of the homeÕs highest consumers of energy. Since July of 2001, the national energy efficiency standards for new refrigerators has required manufacturers to make more efficient models. Utility providers in some states offer rebates for homeowners who purchase models that exceed the minimum standard.  Looking for the Energy Star sticker on all your kitchen appliances is a great way of making your kitchen greener. Once you have your Òeco-friendly appliancesÓ make sure you use the water and energy-saving setting on your kitchenÕs refrigerator and dishwasher as much as possible.
For more information, visit www.energystar.gov
Coatings
Indoor Air Quality: As the number of people who suffer from allergies and chemical sensitivities increases, so does the need for hypoallergenic building materials. Building or remodeling your kitchen can produce toxins that are harmful to indoor air quality. To reduce this problem there are low-toxicity finishes and surfaces available on the market. Look for products that have water based adhesives and finishes and ones that donÕt have synthetic formaldehyde resins. ItÕs all about making smarter choices.
Low VOC Paints: Use paint with low-VOC or no-VOC (volatile organic compounds). Even after conventional paint dries and the initial smell is gone, it continues to off-gasses toxins for up to six years.
PlanIt for Keeps:
Here are just a few companies that manufacture low-VOC and no-VOC paints:
YOLO Colorhouse
Benjamin Moore & Co. -  Pristine Eco-Spec
BioShield Paints
LoweÕs Olympic Brand
Old Fashioned Milk Paint Company
Sherwin-Williams- Harmony paints