Topsail Island, NC - (NAPSA)-Small steps can help reduce your family's carbon footprint-that all-important measure of your effect on the environment.

Still, the average American generates 20 tons of carbon dioxide-a heat-trapping greenhouse gas-every year, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS). That's about the same amount as three new cars.

Try these tips for helping your family go green: 

Green Light

Using an energy-saving compact fluorescent bulb rather than a traditional incandescent bulb is a quick way to make a big difference. UCS says that if every family in America switched just one bulb in their house, carbon dioxide emissions would drop by more than 90 billion pounds-the same as taking 7.5 million cars off the road.

Shop Smart

Environmentally friendly choices in the grocery store can help reduce the amount of trash your family generates. For instance, Chinet Classic White and Chinet Casuals disposable tableware is made from 100 percent preconsumer recycled material that would otherwise go into a landfill. They're certified chlorine-free and are fully biodegradable in your at home composting and can be used in the garden but they're still microwave safe and available in a variety of sizes.

By using recycled materials, Huhtamaki, the company that makes Chinet tableware, saves 3 million trees each year and 65 million gallons of oil, and nearly 1 billion gallons of water-enough to supply a city of 10,000 for a year. These green efforts, along with programs to reduce its pollution and power use, have earned it a number of awards, including the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Environmental Achievement Award. 

Water Wise

The EPA says a leaky faucet can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water annually. If you're wondering if your house has any leaks, check your water meter at the beginning and end of a two-hour period in which no water is used. If the meter reading has changed, you have a leak.

Drive Smart

You can help reduce your vehicle's greenhouse gas emissions by avoiding hard accelerations, reducing time spent idling and unloading unnecessary items in your trunk to reduce weight. Additionally, the EPA says removing a roof rack from your car could improve fuel economy by as much as 5 percent.

For more information, visit www.mychinet.com.