As I was driving to work this morning, I could not help but notice all of the beautiful purple, green and pink colors that Mother Nature has given us in Maryville, Tenn.  The dogwoods and flowers are blooming, and springtime is finally here.

With all of the colors and scenery to be thankful for, we need to remember to take care of our environment.  Earth Day is Thursday, April 22, and all of us should think about how to keep our community green for future generations to enjoy.

Since my first day here at Mary Beth West Consulting, I have been shown several ways our agency practices green habits.  We recycle our scrap paper, ink cartridges, newspapers and card board boxes.  We also turn off the lights when we leave the office for the day.  Even though we try to help our environment any way we can, I wanted to learn other ways to support Earth Day and educate myself on even more eco-friendly business practices.

There are many trouble-free tips any business can implement. Visit the  ENERGY STAR^®  Web site for environmentally and business-savvy tips:

1. Turn off equipment, such as computers and copiers, at the end of the day.  This habit can save almost 50 percent more energy.

2. If possible, communicate through e-mail, and do not print if it is unnecessary.

3. Use recycled paper, and print on both sides if you can.

4. Bring a coffee mug to work for your beverages (Styrofoam cups are not eco-friendly, so eliminate the use of them as much as possible)

5. Use ENERGY STAR^®  certified equipment; this will ensure that you are using the most cost- and energy-efficient products.

Being environmentally friendly doesn’t require a huge effort; it mostly requires us to think outside the box on what is best for our beautiful community and world.  As we step up and do our part, we’ll realize that being eco-friendly not only helps our environment, but it also saves businesses money.

For Earth Day, I am hopeful that we not only practice good habits in April, but that we make these habits permanent.  I would love to hear how your business contributes to sustaining our environment. Happy Earth Day!