The recession, they say, has been good for the environment — but the environment can be great for your recession-hit wallet too. Here’s how the new eco-hipsters are saving on their bills:

>> Why buy when you can scavenge? Salon writer Katharine Mieszkowski spent a day with the scrappy authors of The Scavenger’s Manifesto and found “an adventure in the thrifty, nifty world of die-hard scavenging, where you won’t believe what you can find if you just know where to look.”

>> Why water lawns when you can have pretty, stress-free gardens? Julia Frey at Metblogs LA provides photographic proof that four of her neighbors have “gorgeous water saving front yards.” Says Julia: “These gardens have inspired me to find more succulents to plant and to continue to keep my sprinklers off.”

>> Why pay for gas when you can bike? This goes not just for individuals, but for entire businesses too. Pedal People Cooperative is a successful “human-powered delivery and hauling service” in the Northampton, Mass. area. “One of the biggest draws for customers is that Pedal People’s service is a much greener, quieter alternative to garbage trucks, which waste fuel with frequent stops and starts. Bicycles can also maneuver easily around the city streets, unlike the large trucks.”