[ By Kristin Antonino ]
These days, it pays to think outside the recycle box. Decrease your carbon footprint in every aspect of your life from the clothes you wear to the food you eat. Schedule a home energy assessment, use cloth napkins instead of paper, have the tires on your car checked. Walk, bike or use public transportation a little more often. Once you’ve made 
a resolution to be gentler on the earth, you’ll find plenty of support from local businesses and organizations, as well as from Howard County government.
The Howard County Office of Environmental Sustainability was established by County Executive Ken Ulman to coordinate the efforts of all county offices to enhance and protect natural resources. The office can help direct you to everything from home energy audits, to solar tax credits, to local fairs and festivals that celebrate the great outdoors. They’ve also been behind the county’s recycling efforts and can help you navigate the disposal of your household detritus. Check out the county’s “Green Central Station” website, livegreenhoward.com
The Ellicott City-based organization, Green Connected, was founded in 2007 by former county Chamber of Commerce chair Del Karfonta. The organization links local businesses that want to be more green. The group put together a website that acts as a search engine and networking tool. greenconnected.com
Buying directly from the farmer means cutting down on transportation costs, and buying organic means less impact on the land. Check out the goods “from the land to the hand” at Breezy Willow Farm CSA, a family-operated certified organic farm. Consider joining a community supported agriculture (CSA) collective, to share in produce throughout the season. breezywillowfarm.com
Or check out the local farmer’s markets, produce stands and CSAs in Howard County and throughout Maryland at the Department of Agriculture’s consumer-friendly website. Not only can you search out what’s in season, you can find recipes and tips for preserving the bounty. marylandsbest.net
Everything on offer at Nest Natural Home, an earth-friendly clothing and gifts store, is natural, fair-trade and sustainably made. The owners seek out goods – from dishes made of recycled glass to handbags constructed with reclaimed yoga mats and sandal buckles – that are “supportive of a thoughtful lifestyle.” Even the shoe department is entirely vegan. nestnaturalhome.com
When it comes to living in a green structure, you can go for broke (without going broke) by commissioning a custom home from Finish Werks. The Savage-based company will work with you to build the home of your dreams, construct it in modular units at a factory and assemble it on-site. You can choose among LEED designations and other efficiencies such as Energy Star. And Finish Werks promises that the modular approach saves stress on the land as well as delivering a more solid home. finishwerks.com
