Let's face it. We can all be just a little more green. Even the greenest of the green have their own moral dilemmas. I know I have a lot of room to improve on the green scale. If I were to rate myself, my greenness would fall somewhere around a light, pastel mint color rather than a really dark, evergreen (this deep color signifying the die-hard do-gooders).

A new survey by non-profit organization Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) has found that many Americans fall into the really light green category.

About twenty percent surveyed said they suffer from green guilt and many admitted to not recycling all that they should. Just over half said they recycle glass, cardboard, and newspapers. One-third said they recycle their unwanted electronics. RBRC also asked respondents the big question: Why aren't you recycling?

Some thought it was too much effort while others were unclear about local recycling options. Less than 20% of those surveyed incorporated other green habits besides recycling into their lives, such as turning off lights and unplugging appliances when not in use and taking a reusable mug when getting a cup o' joe. Many (43%) just didn't think that their individual actions would have any impact on the future of the environment.

Some of these numbers are a little discouraging, but RBRC found a little ray of green light in the survey and turned it into a new public service announcement.

"Do your part for the environment. Start with just one thing" is the slogan for a new campaign featuring Danny Seo (who has been dubbed the green Martha Stewart), which stresses the importance of individual action. For example, according to RBRC, if everyone recycled their morning paper it would prevent 6 million tons of waste from going to the landfill.

In many cases convenience trumps consicence when it comes to recycling or other I-should-be-green scenarios. This past weekend I bought a bottle of water at the park (instead of bringing my own) and tossed it into a garbage can on the street (instead of taking it home with me to recycle - no street recycling just yet in NYC.) I felt guilty about it because I know better, but I let convenience take over.

We are all faced with these small situations in our daily lives, but I do believe if each of us does "just one thing" we can all make our way towards a darker shade of green.

More information:
Call2Recycle
GO Green Myth Busting: Recycling