…energy use (and your power bill!) by turning the heat down or the air conditioner up while you are away.
…energy use by purchasing only Energy Star appliances and compact fluorescent light bulbs.
If every American home replaced just one light bulb with an ENERGY STAR qualified bulb, we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year, more than $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars. (copied fromhttp://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cfls.pr_cfls)
…energy use by cooking small meals in the microwave. (They use less energy than your full-size oven.)
…water used by your plants. Lawns, trees, and landscaped beds benefit more from one thorough soaking a week than from light frequent watering. Watering early in the morning (before sunrise) is best. Calculate how much water your lawn needs at http://www.wateruseitwisely.com/
…water use indoors by only washing full loads of dishes and clothes, taking shorter showers, and capturing water to use for plants or pet bowls while waiting for it to heat up.
…energy used to grow and transport food by purchasing organic, in-season and/or locally produced. (Statesboro will soon have its own farmers market!)
...paper use by cancelling junk mail and doing your banking/bill pay on-line.
…waste, petroleum-use, and water by purchasing concentrated, “free & clear” laundry and dish detergents. (and avoid lugging around giant bottles)
Reuse…
…non-recyclable plastic containers, such as cool-whip and butter containers, for storage and to-go meals.
…coffee mugs and other to-go cups.
…repair and maintain items to lessen the need to replace them.
…cloth napkins and towels instead of paper ones.
…durable shopping bags instead of plastic or paper ones.
Recycle...
…yard waste and kitchen scraps in a compost pile (www.compostguide.com)
…paper (cardboard, newspaper, mixed paper)
…PET plastic (#1)
…HDPE plastic (#2 frosted and colored)
…glass (green, brown, and clear)
…aluminum and steel cans
…used motor oil, oil filters, and tires
…electronics (including CFLs, batteries, and cell phones, Downtown Recycle Center only)
…plastic grocery bags (Wal-Mart)
…close the loop – buy recycled.
Learn more…
…sign up to receive Go Green! A monthly e-newsletter published by the Environmental Protection Agency
…visit www.It All AddsUp.com for information about air quality
