You might think some of these questions have been answered years ago. We just got back from a short trip where we discovered there are lots of people still wondering about very simple questions.

Here are some answers. These were compiled by Grist magazine and, as you will see, sometimes there are no easy answers. As I tell everyone, a lot depends on each individual and your lifestyle.

— Should we use paper or plastic bags at the store? This one is easy — use neither. Take your own bags or, as we often do, refuse any bag at all for just one or two items. I often forget to take my bags into the store, but rather than get another bag, I tell them to just put my stuff back in the cart and I do my own bagging when I get to the car.

— Do I use paper towels or the electric dryer in public restrooms? Again, the best is neither! If possible, shake or drip your hands dry. If you have to get them dry right away, use the electric dryer, but maybe you can share it with someone else too.

— Dishes — do I wash by hand or use a dishwasher? If you have an energy-efficient dishwasher and you run it only when full, use it.

— Is it better to leave lights, computers or car running when not using them for short periods, rather than turning them off and restarting? No, it is always best to turn them off. It is an old myth that it takes more power to start something up. It always takes more energy to keep those power-mongers running than it does to turn them off and on.

— If you have an older car or appliance that is not energy-efficient, it is worse to keep using it or better to dump it and get a newer energy-efficient version? This is a big debate, since it uses a lot of resources and energy to make new products. But in general, if you can get more energy-efficient machines, that is better, as long as the old one is recycled or reused in some way. And when shopping, look for a product that is produced more efficiently and with green materials.

— What about cotton cloth vs. disposable diapers? The word here is that it’s about a wash. The only better option is going diaperless when you can (well, when the baby can).

— Are there any “good” plastics to use? No plastics are great, but No. 3 is to be avoided. And, of course, the most important thing is to be careful how they are handled. So re-use and recycle them, don’t litter, and don’t cook food in them or wash them in the dishwasher.

— Which is better than gasoline: Diesel, biodiesel or hybrid? Actual-ly, none are good. Ideally, we would just cut down on driving, which is difficult in semi-rural Kitsap, but we can do one thing — keep the speed down. The old adage about saving gas mileage at 55 mph or less is true.

— Is it better to buy organic, even if it comes a long distance, or to buy locally-grown food? Ideally, one would get organic local food, but if you have to choose, getting local food is best.

— What about CFL bulbs and the mercury they contain? The reduced energy-use trade off here is better — get the compact fluorescent bulbs and recycle them responsibly by taking them to the recycle centers or to the stores that take them back. They will dispose of the small amount of mercury safely at the end of the bulbs’ very long, efficient life.

Stillwaters is starting a new Sustainability Discussion Group, “I Go to Nature – Readings from Favorite Authors,” on April 11. Register at (360) 297-1226.

— Contact Naomi Maasberg at naomi@stillwatersenvironmentalcenter.org.