It’s Earth day!

To help you make some greener choices, we’ve decided to share some knowledge for Earth Day or any day.

1. Four out of five consumers think that eco-friendly products are more expensive and would only consider buying a product that was kinder to the environment if it cost the same as or less than the product they usually use. This perception that eco-friendly products cost more may be causing some consumers to overlook these options when shopping.

Tip: Before you reach for your regular brand, take a moment to see if there is an eco-friendly version that is within your budget. Not all environmentally-friendly products are more expensive. You can also shop online or try green stores to find products that are kind on the environment and your wallet.

2. Nine out of ten people surveyed claimed that they wanted to live a greener life. While this is down from last year’s 94%, it’s still a wonderful show of good intention and support for environmental efforts.

Tip: Buy energy-efficient light bulbs and Energy Star appliances. They may cost a little more, but a good quality appliance can be as much as 150 percent more energy efficient, so you make your initial investment back in no time and then look forward to years of savings.

3. While at least 89 percent of the people surveyed would buy a product that helped the environment, more than three out of five (61%) would only do so if the product cost the same or less.

“To motivate shoppers to purchase eco-friendly products, many retailers offer discounts in April surrounding Earth Day,” says Trae Bodge, senior lifestyle editor for The Real Deal by RetailMeNot. “We typically see offers for sustainable products, green cleaning supplies and organic healthy and beauty products.”

Tip: Check online at your local stores for Earth Day specials. Consult your local government on incentives they offer for home and business owners to be more energy-efficient. Some have schemes where you can get discounts on Energy Star appliances, energy-efficient light bulbs, recycling and home improvements.

4. While most people are happy to buy eco-friendly products, changing their driving habits is really hard to do. The majority of working Americans (three in four or 76 percent) aren’t willing give up their cars.

Tip: Carpooling saves you money on gas, reduces the amount you spend on vehicular maintenance and gives you some welcome company on your ride to work. Taking public transport not only saves you time and money, it also frees up your time so that you can read, work or listen to music for a much more relaxing commute.

Here are some interesting statistics on how the genders stack up against each other:

~ Men are more likely to identify themselves as living green life (42 percent vs. 36 percent).

~ Women are more likely to purchase eco-friendly products for the home (56 percent vs. 36 percent).

~ When it came to saving, the women won out with 66 percent vs. 55 percent considering buying green products if they cost the same or less.

Bonus:

Listen to the latest Green Divas Radio Show…

[dynamic-sidebar id=’Custom Widget 2′]