Posted - Dec. 17, 2008 - 11:56 a.m.

Tuesday's RedEye cover story was about eco-maniacs and the relationships they have with non-environmentally friendly people.

As more people decide to live a green lifestyle, they'll have to consider how the decision impacts their relationships and friendships--for better or for worse. Greeniacs who talked to RedEye said they've attempted to push their friends and family members to also go green, sometimes to disastrous results. Trying to force others to change their wasteful ways, some eco-friendly Chicagoans have learned, can alienate friends to the point that the only meaningful relationship the environmentally conscious have left is one with the Earth.

Is there a middle ground between the eco-maniacs and the eco-foes? RedEye devised four eco-nundrums and asked a green-ribbon panel to weigh in on how the problem should be solved.

RedEye "Practically Green" blogger Supriya Doshi, goantigreen.com founder Matt Unger of Bloomingdale, self-proclaimed Chicago "enviromedian" (environment + comedian) James Wesley Jackson and Etiquette Chicago's Melenie Broyles offered their eco-pinions.

SITUATION: You love to recycle but your friend doesn't have blue bins and doesn't reuse anything. What should you do when you visit?
SUPRIYA: Offer nicely to take home some of your friend's recyclables, since the friend doesn't have blue bins. Or mention how much less you have to take out the garbage since you started recycling.
MATT: Throw everything out into the garbage, give my friend a big pat on the back and steal the neighbors' blue bins.
MELENIE: You might suggest your recycling company, because you are under the impression they may not be aware. I suggest using their trash cans and realizing that it is just one day.
JAMES: Buy a blue bin and present it to your friend as a blue ski container.

SITUATION: You have a roommate who showers for more than an hour each day, which you find extremely wasteful. What do you say?
SUPRIYA: Tell them there isn't enough hot water left for you when they're done. And tell them they smell (Ital)really(ital) good.
MATT: I'd ask my roommate why he takes such short showers, then encourage him to use the shower as a steamer rather than ironing his clothes.
MELENIE: If you are sharing the water bill you can suggest they might cut down their time in the shower to help with expenses. Maybe give gentle advice on wasting water.
JAMES: A short shower can improve relationships and reduce stress, not to mention the $30 a month you save on soap.

SITUATION: Your friend constantly lectures you about eating organic foods, commuting less and installing eco-friendly light bulbs, but you don't want to change your ways. What do you say?
SUPRIYA: Emphasize the things you are already doing. If that doesn't work, you can always hound them about something they're doing that you don't like.
MATT: I'd tell my friend that everyone has different opinions and that I vaguely respect his a tiny little bit.
MELENIE: Simply say: "I love that you are so passionate about the environment. I, however, am not, and know that you love me for who I am."
JAMES: Do you know why there are more vegetarians? Because plants are whole lot easier to sneak up on.

SITUATION: You are staying with a friend who has requested that you only flush the toilet if it's No. 2, which you find gross. What do you do?
SUPRIYA: Say it's gross--politely, of course. Tell them you're uncomfortable or that you get queasy around, um, bodily fluids.
MATT: First, I would give my friend a really disgusted look. I would then vow to drive to my friend's house thrice a day (in a Hummer) and flush every toilet.
MELENIE: As the guest, you can deal with it for the day, or even simply say: "I am sorry but that makes me very uncomfortable. Do you mind if I flush just for today?"
JAMES: I don't flush at all.