What You Can Do
Awareness and Innovations
- Use our Shades of Green Guide to lighten your impact on the environment – Download PDF
- Buy environmentally safe cleaning products
- Support organizations that buy land to conserve it
- Purchase carbon emission credits
- Choose domesticated animals for pets; exotic pets are often taken from the wild
Energy
- Adjust and/or monitor your thermostat
- Turn off lights when not needed
- Adjust the temperature of your refrigerator and freezer
- Turn the water heater down to 120 degrees F
- Place old towels under your doors to prevent drafts
- Obey speed limits to increase gas mileage
- Use natural lighting whenever possible
- Choose energy-efficient appliances
- Line dry your laundry
- Travel by train instead of plane
- Walk, ride your bike, or use public transportation to get around
- Buy local produce that is in season
Water Management
- Drink filtered tap water when available
- Run your dishwasher only when full
- Take short showers
- Fix leaky faucets
- Opt for a low-flow showerhead
- Collect rainwater and use it to water your lawn and garden
- Plant a rain garden to manage storm water run-off from roofs and driveways
Waste Management
- Reuse bags and take reusable bags to the store
- Pack your lunch in a reusable container and use a cloth napkin
- Donate used items to charities and friends instead of throwing them away
- Use a refillable water bottle
- Recycle at home, school and work
- Use a refillable coffee filter
- Purchase recycled toilet paper, paper towels and facial tissue
- Start and maintain a compost pile
- Recycle old electronics
