Just Opened

Big Green Earth Store

by Aaron Moselle

Mon.-Thu., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-6 p.m., 239 Market St., 267-909-8661

Going green doesn't have to mean drastic, crunchy change. At the newly opened Big Green Earth Store — where everything for sale is either recycled, reused or reduced in environmental impact — you can work toward a more eco-friendly lifestyle one step at a time.

"We just want to have a place for anyone and everyone to come into — from the tree-hugger to the college student to the business professional — and have an option of making the planet a little better," says co-owner Tony R. Fisher. A self-described environmentalist, Fisher worked at the Environmental Protection Agency's Philly-based mid-Atlantic headquarters during the early '90s.

Among the store's inventory are items helpful in creating a greener household, such as compact florescent lightbulbs, reusable produce bags and hybrid rechargeable batteries. Customers can also come in and refill their empty laundry detergent bottles with nontoxic detergent made by Sun & Earth out of Norristown. (You pay by the ounce.)

Searching for an eco-conscious gift? The Big Green Earth store still has you covered. They also carry solar-powered backpacks, recycled glass-infused pottery and bowls and business-card holders created from repurposed bike parts. "We're trying to make it a little more hip to go green," says Fisher. "Think Sharper Image goes green."