Going Green or Spending Green?

My husband and I are committed to “greening” our household in many ways. We recycle all of our paper, glass, cardboard and plastic. We started composting a few years ago. I also use the water from our dehumidifier to water my flowers. Some things seem less practical for us; converting to geothermal energy, and installing solar panels are a few examples of things we decided are not appropriate for us at this time.

Similarly, Messiah Village has committed to going “green”. Under the leadership of our “Green Team,” we have expanded our recycling efforts, installed a green roof and converted many lighting fixtures to more energy efficient bulbs. One area where we have opportunities to improve is in our use of styrofoam. Styrofoam is used heavily in our dining areas for take-out and for other purposes.

One way to be greener is to use compostable cups and plates. This option, however, would increase the cost of supplies by about $17,000 per year. We are also exploring styrofoam recycling. There is a community in the area that is doing this. A volunteer rinses all the styrofoam and then drops it off at the recycling center.
The desire to go green is often tempered by the constraints of convenience or cost, or both. How has the green movement affected decisions in your household? Are you willing to spend money to be green?