Eco-girls may be ahead of the crowd when it comes to waste awareness, but their approach to dating is often straight out of the sixties - they're laidback, open minded and lack that materialistic streak which makes so many women covet extravagant gifts. Sounds great, right?

But if you spend all day every day in high-tech offices and fancy wine bars, how are you going to meet one?

Let me be your guide.

Start by heading to the places where hippy chicks hang out. We're talking Fair Trade coffee shops and progressive book stores here. Ditch the supermarket in favor of farmers' markets and organic food stores. Yoga may sound silly, but it's great for getting rid of aches and pains and day to day stresses, so consider joining a class.

Get yourself up to date with the main issues. There are plenty of books and websites offering the latest information, so read up on everything from recycling to animal testing, alternative energies to over population.

If you can't keep track of all those issues, don't worry. Admitting you know very little about nuclear waste can actually be a good thing. Hippy chicks love to share their wisdom, so asking for more information can be a great way of getting her to talk to you. Make sure you show that you're willing to learn and she'll be more than happy to help you.

Act the part. At the risk of sounding preachy, lots of eco-friendly activities take surprisingly little effort and some even give you a little glow of pride. Consider trying the following:

* Don't get caught carrying plastic bags. Reusable cotton bags fold up really small, so stuff one in your jacket pocket next time you go to the store.

* Invest in a quality travel mug and some Tupperware, and take coffee and sandwiches to work. This results in less waste and saves you a fortune, too.

* Lots of smart brands now stock organic clothes, so, given the choice, take the ethical option.

* Use public transport or get on your bike.

If you can't or won't go green for real, you're going to need to pretend. Avoid wearing shiny leather shoes on your first date, and don't even consider picking her up in a gas-guzzling SUV.

When making a date, think carefully about the destination. She may be vegetarian, so a steak house is out of the question. Consider independent coffee shops and small, quirky restaurants with menus full of organic ingredients. Hippy chicks love to get back to nature, so walks in the woods or strolls along the beach will also be a hit.

Scoring with an eco-babe may take a bit more research than your average girl, but they're worth the work - and don't forget that all those ethical new habits you've picked up will more than offset any less than virtuous intentions you may have for the end of your date.