Tomorrow is Earth Day. And what better way to celebrate than to shop for something that won’t end up in a landfill?

Don’t get me wrong. I’m all for buying things. Though I love trees, I’m not exactly a tree-hugger. But as ShopGuy often reminds me, everything we buy – even those Coach sandals that were a steal at T.J.’s – eventually ends up in the dump. And there’s nothing fashionable about trashing our planet. It’s the only one we’ve got.

So in the spirit of the holiday, I’ve decided to seek out alternatives that are good for the Earth and the people on it. One such offering is right in our backyard. Brunswick-based Maine Interfaith Power and Light sells carbon offsets for the electricity you use in your home. Here’s the deal: Many traditional power generation methods use fossil fuels, which in turn produce pollution. Carbon offsets, which are sold as Green Tags or Wind Watts, support the development of clean energy sources such as wind power, solar facilities and nonpolluting hydro plants.

Because these sources still are more expensive than traditional methods, you buy Green Tags or Wind Watts in addition to paying your electric bill, and you can get a tax deduction. Visit www.meipl.org for more information.

At the holidays, everyone talks about Heifer International and other organizations that benefit people in developing countries – and Maine – by providing them with livestock, access to health and educational programs and job training. Working from the old “teach a man to fish” philosophy, these programs help people become self-reliant.

It’s a great idea. In fact, I’ve received a donation of chicks and a share of a llama in my name for the last two Christmases, respectively, and it sure beat slippers. But why confine the joy to December? If you want your dollar to really make a difference, Heifer International (www.heifer.org) isn’t the only option. WorldVision’s Hope for Girls and Women program helps single mothers, victims of sexual exploitation, and women at risk of contracting HIV in developing countries. For as little as $20, you can help. Visit www.worldvisiongifts/girlsandwomen.

Want to open a can of worms? Vist Oxfam America (www.oxfamamericaunwrapped.com), where an $18 donation will supply a farmer with, well, worms. They contribute to a healthy ecosystem by enriching and aerating the soil for agricultural purposes. If you’re feeling really flush, you can donate a camel through Oxfam for $175. Sure, it’s cute and funny, but it also serves as a means of transportation, fertilizer and milk for a family in need.

Since we’re talking about Earth Day, here, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Trees for the Future, an organization that has “restored tree cover to the world’s most degraded lands” since the early 1970s. Through environmentally sustainable land-management projects, the group helps struggling communities improve their livelihoods. The trees not only provide crops and shade, they also help prevent soil erosion, as well. Plus, they suck carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere like a Hoover. Visit www.treesftf.org for information on how to donate – $100 plants a forest, so even a little bit of money will do some good.

If you’re a real material girl – or guy – and you simply can’t go a day without bringing something home, I’ve got a few suggestions for you. Splurge on a bicycle or, better yet, a hybrid. The new Honda Civic is awfully cute. Feast on a spread of Maine-made foods – the shorter the distance from your home, the less pollution it takes to get to you. I suggest Appleton Creamery cheese, a loaf of Little Notch Bakery bread and a bottle of wine from Winterport Winery or Bartlett’s. Then cozy up on the couch and watch “An Inconvenient Truth.” Just be sure to rent it, OK?

Check out these Web sites for alternative shopping ideas that are good for the earth.

www.meipl.org

www.heifer.org

www.worldvisiongifts/girlsand women

www.oxfamamericanunwrapped.com

www.treesftf.org

Send questions, comments or suggestions by e-mail to: kandresen@bangordailynews.net, by U.S. mail to Kristen Andresen, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329, or by fax to 941-9476. For exclusive online shopping tips, visit ShopGirl’s Blog at http://community.bangordailynews.com/blog/4.