About The Writer

Name: Crissy Trask
Location: Spokane, WA

I am the author of It's Easy Being Green: A Handbook for Earth-Friendly Living, a freelance writer and a green living advisor.

I write about just about any topic that provides an opportunity to share a greener way of doing something or an earth-friendlier choice. My writing focuses on helping people understand the problems, the solutions and that their actions can make a difference.

I'm willing to discuss any writing project within the categories above, including business, promotional and copy writing.

Sustainable Living Articles Articles that target modern, busy people interested in perspectives and solutions that reveal the wisdom, simplicity and accessibility of earth-conscious living.

PURCHASE SUSTAINABLE LIVING ARTICLES WRITTEN BY GREEN LIVING SPECIALIST, CRISSY TRASK, FOR YOUR MAGAZINE, NEWSPAPER OR NEWSLETTER. $.23/word for first rights. $.10/word for non-exclusive reprint rights. To purchase a license to use any of the articles below, contact Crissy at ct [at] greenmatters [dot] com

Articles, [approx. word count] and rights available:

It's Summer Time and the Living is Green [812] first rights available
Summary: Summer is a great time to be green. The weather and long days provide many occasions and opportunities to reduce our carbon footprint. This article provides 11 specific suggestions for using the season to reduce carbon emissions.

Solving the Mystery of Carbon Offsets: How to Use and Choose them Wisely [766] reprint rights available
Summary: When it comes to shrinking our personal footprint beyond the practicalities that we think we can control, a growing number of us are learning to consistently purchase "carbon offsets". However, confusion and doubt surrounding how carbon offsets work and their authenticity have persisted. This article explains carbon offsets and includes consumer buying tips.

8 Ways to Green Everyday Life [1,703 plus optional pull quotes] reprint rights available
Summary: The call to action grows louder: it's time to take responsibility for saving the planet. The good news is that we can all answer that call. While not everyone can commit to a car-free commute or a biodynamic diet, most of us can make small changes that have a larger impact when consistently practiced. If you are ready to "green" your life, read on.

Casting Light on Home Lighting [728] first rights available
Summary: Homes are getting larger and lighting plays an increasingly bigger role in interior decorating-contributing factors to the doubling of electricity used for home lighting in just 4 years. Efficiencies, however, can be recouped through wise choices in lighting use and products.

The End of Junk Mail [743] first rights available
Summary: Junk mail is nothing new, but some eye-opening facts on its ineffectiveness and wastefulness is sure to renew your efforts to put a stop to it. Ten-step processes and fee services aren't necessary. With just four recommendations to consider and implement yourself, you'll be on your way to freedom from unwanted mail.

Tap in to Better Water [940] first rights available
Summary: A hard look at bottled water reveals its unreliable quality and the tremendous resource and financial waste resulting from its consumption. Make amends with your tap and you can have power over your water's purity, reduce waste and save money.

Home Hearth [478] reprint rights available
Summary: Lighting a fire in the fireplace on a cold winter's night is practically irresistible, but it's not all coziness and warmth. Smoke from chimneys, especially in densely populated urban areas, impairs air quality. For those burning strictly for occasional ambiance, switching to manufactured logs will greatly reduce harmful emissions created from burning cordwood. This article reviews three manufactured logs.

Protect Indoor Air Quality with Low VOC Paints [741] reprint rights available
Summary: Indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, thanks in large part to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released by household furnishings and products, including paint. This article is a guide to choosing healthlier, more earth-friendly paint coatings.

Recycled Decking [726] reprint rights available
Summary: Wood, the traditional choice for decking, now has some stiff competition. Wood alternatives like composite and plastic decking require none of the maintenance of wood and last longer. But if you want to make sure your purchase of composite or plastic decking is earth friendly, select products that are recycled--not all of them are. This article compares and contrasts wood and non-wood products and provides a list of environmentally preferable brands from which to choose.

Water Wiser [776] reprint rights available
Summary: A first hand account of the author's decision to replace her front lawn with hardy, low-water plants; permeable surfaces; and local materials. This article demonstrates that going turfless is rewarding in both predictable and unpredictable ways. A very relatable and inspiring article for anyone considering water-wiser landscaping.

Smaller Is Better [530] first rights available
According to the U.S. Census, up until 1987, homes greater than 3,000 SF weren't even built--or so few that they weren't counted. Today homes built that are 3,000 square feet or more outnumber homes built within any other square footage category. The trend in larger homes is consuming more land, more resources and arguably making us more isolated and less safe. This article explores the trend in large home construction and offers reasons to consider a smaller home.

Killing Energy Vampires [612] first rights available
Summary: It used to be you could turn everything off in your home and stop your electric meter cold. Not anymore. Try that today, and chances are your meter will continue to spin. The cause: "energy vampires." Discover what energy vampires are and how to put a stop to their power sucking ways.

Eco-friendlier Skies [467] or [711] first rights available
Summary: Aviation is the fastest growing source of carbon dioxide, the chief global warming gas. A concerned frequent flyer has some options when it comes to improving their travel-related carbon emissions as this article points out.

Give It an Old Fashioned Cleaning [578] reprint rights available
Summary: Our current reliance on toxic and single-use cleaning supplies is negatively impacting our indoor and outdoor environments. Taking a page from our grandparents cleaning manual could change all that.

Paper or Plastic? Neither--If It Doesn't Cause a Fight [624] first rights available
Summary: An anecdotal essay on the author's experiences using cloth bags at the market. Some will find her confessions hilarious and others will find them disturbing!

Finding Solutions for Reducing Plastic Packaging and Its Effects [636] first rights available
Summary: If the amount of plastic packaging entering and leaving your house has you concerned, learn how you can combat the waste by implementing some immediate and practical solutions as well as advocating for longer term solutions.

Is Green Shopping An Oxymoron? [512] reprint rights available
Summary: Some doubt the legitimacy of a green movement that condones shopping. Can shopping be part of the environmentalist's ritual? This column explains that yes, it can be.

Battling Ice, Not the Environment [462] or [741] reprint rights available
Summary: Tackling winter ice on the surfaces around your property requires immediate attention, but it's important to pause long enough to consider the impacts of different ice management solutions to property and the environment. This article provides information on sand and salt as well as newer products that are effective and safe.

True Recycling [879] first rights available
Summary: When we hand over recyclables to a collection facility via curb side pick-up or a drop off center, we are only halfway done. Recycling is a two phase undertaking, and our intention to recycle is not complete until we buy back the material that was recovered from us. This article explains how to close the loop on recycling by identifying and purchasing recycled-content products and provides online resources and tips to make it easier.

Green Cars [537] reprint rights available
Summary: In response to a global warming crisis and consumer demand, niche companies are producing some sporty all-electric vehicles--and selling out! Their availability and price, however, put them out of reach of most American consumers. If you want to walk onto an auto dealer's lot tomorrow and find fuel efficiency and lower emissions, your choices are sadly limited, but this article tells how to find some of the greenest cars available with reasonable price tags and alerts the reader to affordable all electric vehicles that are not far away.

Picking Up Pet Waste Hard for Some [445] first rights available
Summary: Pet waste left on the ground is more than unpleasant. It's a source of bacterial contamination in urban watersheds. Removing pet waste from urban parks and lawns is every pet owner's responsibility. Although there is no perfect solution for its ultimate disposal, this article covers three basic choices: throw it away, flush it, or bury it.

Secondhand Bliss [1000] first rights available
Summary: There is a category of earth-friendly goods often overlooked except by the most frugal Americans--secondhand, gently-used items. Environmentally speaking, reuse is preferable to buying something new for many things we need. Whether a committed shopper of used things or warming up to the idea, this article can help the earth-minded consumer and novice secondhand shopper find satisfaction and success when shopping for previously-owned things.

Hungry for Meat [777] first rights available
Summary: Adopting a vegetarian diet is a healthful and eco-friendly endeavor, but for many people giving up meat entirely is a hard road. This article provides information that will compel people to eat less meat, but also provides guidelines and resources that will enable them to identify meat, poultry and fish that is produced or harvested sustainably.

Computing with a Conscience [890] first rights available
Summary: When purchasing a new computer, there's more to consider than memory, bandwidth and compatibility. The expansion of computer use and the rate at which new technology renders older computers, full of toxic heavy metals, obsolete is forcing us to consider a computer's total life cycle impact before making a purchase. This article gives pointers on extending the life of your computer to keep it in service, or if need be how to recycle or donate it. If it's a new computer you need, the article provides guidelines for selecting one that is energy efficient, upgradeable, recycled and recyclable, less toxic and for which end-of-life disposal can be safely managed.

Clean and Toss: When Cleaning is a Bad Thing
[360] or [285] first rights available
Summary: Some manufacturers are trying to make cleaning our homes an exercise in polluting the planet! Cleaning attachments for mop heads, toilet brushes and dusters that get discarded after one use are creating more garbage, resource waste and pollution through their use. This article points out the negative impacts of throw-away products and includes a table outlining the savings from shunning single-use products in favor of those packaged in bulk, even when "splurging" on more expensive, eco-friendly cleaning products.

The Quick and Dirty on Dry Cleaning [494] first rights available
Summary: Dry cleaners have a dirty habit. The overwhelming majority of dry cleaners use a toxic solvent known as PERC (short for perchloroethylene) to remove dirt and stains from fine fabrics. This article helps consumers of dry cleaning services understand the risks and find non-toxic alternatives.

Spring Cleaning, Naturally [519] first rights available
Summary: If spreading chemicals around the house isn't your idea of cleaning, how 'bout whipping up some safe, natural products you can feel good about and depend on to clean your house. This article shares information on conventional cleaners and recipes for homemade solutions anyone can make.

Eating Healthy When Organic is Out of Reach [638] first rights available
Summary: For many consumers, the price or accessibility of organically produced foods makes it difficult for them to choose organic as often as they would like. This article provides some helpful tips that will enable the reader to find healthier and more sustainable foods without relying on the Organic label.

Four Out of Five Shoppers Choose Plastic [691] first rights available
Summary: This column explores the curious preference for plastic bags, the problems their popularity has created, and solutions that range from the practical to the unpopular-but-effective.