More than 30 years ago, Kermit the Frog sang the lyrics, "It's not easy being green." At that time, of course, everyone's favorite character on "Sesame Street" wasn't talking about the environment.

In 2006, the popular "Sesame Street" character changed his tone in a Super Bowl commercial for a Ford Escape Hybrid, saying that "maybe it is easy being green."

The year of 2008 is shaping up to be the year a lot of people turn green, including the staff of Richmond.com. In the past several months, we've brought you "Renewable Richmond," a column that highlights what businesses are doing to go "green" and help the environment. In recent weeks, we've brought you "Eco-weak to Eco-chic," a column focusing on the greening movement in the Richmond area.

But one thing we haven't done is told you about what goes on in the Richmond.com offices. That changes this week.

For 2008, Richmond.com is making small changes every month to be "green." The effort is being led by assistant marketing and sales manager Meg Brackett.

"Richmond.com is dedicated to our community," Brackett said. "The goal is to minimize our impact on the environment and, hopefully, this will encourage others to do the same so we all can help protect the city that we love for future generations."

January's goal is getting Richmond.com's employees to recycle. In the Richmond.com kitchen and editorial office, there are recycling centers for employees to put cardboard, newspapers, cans, glass bottles and plastic. In just two weeks time, the recycling bins are already filled.

Brackett also points out other things Richmond.com is already doing to be environmentally friendly, with the main thing being that we're an online-only company. Since Richmond.com publishes solely online, there are no printed products, thus saving paper.

Design work and communication with advertisers is done mostly through e-mail, Brackett said. (For companies still using a fax machine, we ask that you please switch to e-mail if possible.) Richmond.com also recently stopped ordering plastic foam cups.

Brackett said that making small changes every month will lead to bigger results later in the year.

February's goal, Brackett said, will likely be addressing additional issues in the kitchen, such as getting rid of plastic silverware that most people use only once.

w So, Richmond, we'd like to know: What are your 2008 "greening" goals? If Kermit the Frog can change his tone, why can't you? Let me know your goals or ideas by sending an email (not a fax!) to david.hylton@corp.richmond.com or leave a comment below. Individuals and businesses are welcome to respond. Look for your comments in a future "Renewable Richmond" column. Stay tuned to "Renewable Richmond" throughout the year as we continue to give updates on what Richmond.com is doing to go green in 2008.