64 Lose 142 Pounds (of Carbon) in a Week

It’s the most important weight-loss program you can start this year—the one to reduce the 47 pounds of carbon dioxide that we’re each responsible for every day. But this program makes it easy—and these pounds actually stay off. BY PAUL MCRANDLE

70 Save $60 a Week—and the Planet

When you waste food or energy, you’re also wasting money. These seven ways of going green can save you green. BY JESSICA CERRETANI

76 What Happens to . . . Plastic Bags at Wal-Mart

In this photographic feature, Green Guide follows the trail of the bags you bring back.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JASON FULFORD • TEXT BY PAUL MCRANDLE

70

82 Quiz: Is Your Salad Safe?

Organic or not, our much-handled, well-traveled food can harbor bacteria. Test your

food-safety savvy and learn how to make smarter food choices. BY EMILY MAIN

PHOTOGRAPH (LEFT PAGE) BY MATTHIAS CLAMER; RIGHT (THIS PAGE) BY GETTY (TOP), DAVIES + STARR (BOTTOM TWO)

GG Buying Guides

48 Cracking the Code

Some plastics are safer and easier to recycle than others. Here’s how to tell what’s what.

BY DANIELLE MASTERSON

52 The ABCs of CFLs

From “Application” to “Disposal,” learn the CFL alphabet and simplify your lighting decisions. BY SOLVIE KARLSTROM

48

56 Beauty Secrets

Psst: Some ingredients in your cosmetics may not be great for your health. BY EMILY MAIN

60 Greener Is Cleaner

Cleaning products don’t have to be strange colors, produce harsh fumes or carry health warnings to be effective. BY EMILY MAIN

12

In Every Issue

Departments

6 Editor’s Letter

8 Contributors

9 Just Ask

11 Tried and True

From footballs to blue jeans, these products are staff favorites.

35 Three Simple Steps

. . . to greener driving, no matter what kind of car you own.

90 Resources

94 Inside National Geographic

96 Everything Counts

18 Paper or Plastic?

For wrapping sandwiches, which is the better choice: waxed paper or plastic bags?

22 Best Buy

Orange juice comes every which way. Is one greener than the rest?

25 Health Report Eliminating a few household products will do wonders for your indoor air.

38 Before and After

This green garage makeover isn’t about shelving and fresh paint.

Cover Photograph by Ilan Rubin Styled by Jeffrey W. Miller

20 Products We Can Live Without

Chlorine bleach. Sure, it gets your whites white. But for your health and the environment, there are better options.

29 Home Improvement

Ceiling fans can cut energy costs. Here’s how to install one.

43 Second Chances

Give new life to five common household items.