Motor oil plays a critical role in your car’s engine – keeping the moving parts lubricated so that they won’t wear out prematurely.  Every 5,000 miles or so, you have to change your oil.  But where does all of that used oil go?  It turns out that some 30% of used motor oil is dumped in the back field or down the storm drain, and obvious environmental disaster.  The remainder, about 800 million gallons per year, is collected and burned, releasing its load of carbon and heavy metals directly into the air that you and I (and everyone else on the planet) breathes.  Eventually it rains, and the heavy metals fall back to the ground and oceans.

Time for an oil change.
There is something you can do to keep the remnants of your motor oil out of your air and water.  Have your oil changed at a professional shop that collects the waste oil, and ask where that oil ends up.  In many parts of the country, from California to Wichita, collected waste oil is going to special re-refineries.  These re-refineries take the waste oil as a raw material instead of imported crude oil, refine out the impurities, and create new, high-performance motor oil in a simple and efficient process. This re-refining process keeps waste oil out of the air and water while reducing our dependence on imported crude oil.  To close the loop, ask for your re-refined replacement oil for your car or truck.  Your choices as a consumer can reduce environmental impact while reducing the need for imported crude oil - a simple choice for a more sustainable life.

Red Bull has one. The North Face has one. Virgin Atlantic, Coca-Cola, Apple, they all have one. Turns out, the most coveted job title at many businesses nowadays isn't CEO or VP of Marketing. Nope, in today's world the job title to have is Chief Sustainability Officer. Working on tasks that range from the greening of day-to-day business practice to helping ensure that EPA regulations are met or exceded, the CSO is quickly moving from trend to necessity as organizations look to keep work places sustainable, innovative, competitive, environmentally aware, and safe. So if you're passionate about eco-friendly practices and economic growth, sustainability and green innovation, healthy employees and a healthy bottom line, or simply want a resume worth talking about, check out these graduate programs in Sustainable MBAs: Presidio School of Management and Bainbridge Graduate Institute.

We’ve all grabbed a book of matches from our favorite watering holes and restaurants, but have you ever thought to take the cocktail coasters home with you too? For a quick and easy way to reuse and a fun addition to your coffee table, start pocketing clever coasters when you go out on the town. The result is an eclectic collection of reused and reusable glass mats.

Picking up and moving might not be the smallest thing you can do to help save the planet, but if you’re passionate about green living, thegreenguide.com has a list of the Top 25 Greeniest Cities in America. From Austin to Denver to Huntsville, AL, check out the most eco-friendly locales near you: http://www.thegreenguide.com/travel-transportation/top-25-green-cities.