New Web Site For 'Green' Consumers

SEATTLE - There's a new site on the web aimed at consumers who want to buy green products and use the products they have in a more environmentally-friendly way.

It's greenerchoices.org and it’s run by Consumers Union, the folks who publish Consumer Reports magazine.

“We provide information both about the environmental impacts as well as how the products perform,” says Consumers Union’s Carolyn Cairns.

For instance, I found these interesting facts on the site:

• If you wash your laundry in cold water you can reduce your energy bill up to $63

• Putting your computer and monitor on sleep mode can reduce their electricity use by up to 80 percent.

• The Nissan Sentra is much more fuel efficient than the Nissan Altima.

I think a lot us believe that you have to pay more for a product that’s better for the planet, but Consumers Union says that’s not always the case.

"Even if you pay more up front,” Cairns explains, “a lot of times the environmental, as well as the financial savings accrue over the life of the product.

So we also give you information about how much you can save over the lifetime of the product. In many cases, those savings can offset any additional purchase price you may have to pay."

Right now, Greener Choices has information on autos, appliances, electronics, home and garden, and food products. It also covers these issues: household energy, climate, waste and toxics.

The site also links you to information about recycling unwanted products, such as cell phone, computers, and other electronics.