Green  Facts

To  Help  You  Save  The  Earth

EVERYWHERE

COMMUNITY
 

_____	Get to know your neighbors so you can help each other, e.g. carpool, buy in bulk, lend/borrow items
_____	Communicate your concerns about the environment to elected officials
_____	Vote for, volunteer for and/or contribute to environmentally-sensitive candidates and elected officials
_____	Support more funding for public transit
_____	Join and/or volunteer for environmental community groups
_____	Subscribe to local environmental email list(s)
_____	Organize programs to encourage and help others do items in this checklist
_____	Opt out of catalog mailings

FOOD
 

_____	Reduce your consumption of meat, fish, dairy and eggs (consider becoming a vegan or vegetarian)
_____	Buy/consume foods which are grown locally and/or certified organic
_____	Use a lid when boiling water, etc. to reduce energy used

HOME (and in some cases, WORK)
 

_____	Put a brick or weighted plastic jug in your toilet tank
_____	Don't flush the toilet every time when practical
_____	Turn your water heater down (e.g. to 120°F)
_____	Reduce use of heating (put on more clothes, turn down thermostat before going to bed)
_____	Reduce use of air conditioning (open windows, close blinds and curtains, use a fan)
_____	Turn off lights, appliances, etc. when not in use
_____	Unplug appliances which constantly consume electricity
_____	Don't leave the water running when you're not using it, e.g. while brushing teeth, shaving, rinsing dishes
_____	Don't pre-rinse dishes before loading in dishwasher
_____	Operate the dishwasher only when full
_____	Take showers instead of baths
_____	Turn off the water during showers while you're soaping or shampooing
_____	Limit the time you spend in the shower and take fewer showers
_____	Install low-flow shower heads and faucets
_____	Fix leaking faucets
_____	Check for leaking toilets by adding a few drops of food coloring to the water in the tank and see if it appears in the bowl
_____	Wear clothing items more than once before washing them when feasible (set up a place to put clothes already worn but not needing to be washed yet)
_____	Do only full loads of laundry and use the shortest cycle feasible
_____	Hand wash clothes (except suits) instead of having them dry-cleaned
_____	Use sponges, rags and cloth towels instead of paper towels when feasible
_____	Air dry clothes when feasible
_____	Donate old clothes to charity
_____	Replace incandescent light bulbs (especially those you use the most) with compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFL)
_____	Ensure there's adequate weather-stripping or caulking on doorways and windows
_____	Wrap your water heater with an insulation jacket
_____	Request a free energy audit from your utility company
_____	Request a free water conservation survey from your water company
_____	Have your house converted to use solar energy
_____	Reduce junk mail (ask to be removed from mailing lists)
_____	Cancel subscriptions you don't need
_____	Set up place(s) to put recyclable items
_____	Take hazardous materials (paints, cleaners, etc.) to approved sites for proper disposal
_____	Use plants (eg. native, naturally drought-resistant) which don't require a lot of water
_____	Reduce the amount of grass which requires watering in your yards
_____	Avoid using pesticides / chemicals in your yards
_____	Don't water the lawn when the sun is at its peak
_____	Don't overwater your lawn and plants
_____	Start a compost pile for yard waste and some food scraps
_____	Plant trees, especially where they'll provide shade for your house
_____	Let grass grow long where feasible
_____	Use a lawn mower with a mulcher
_____	Clean driveways, etc. with a broom, not a hose
_____	Work out of your home as much as feasible (e.g. telecommute, go to workplace for fewer days but longer hours)
_____	Live/work in the smallest building/space feasible and/or rent out extra rooms

 SHOPPING
 

_____	Take your own bags (e.g. cloth) to the store
_____	Buy used items when feasible
_____	Reduce purchases of disposable products (e.g. paper towels, cups, batteries, razors)
_____	Avoid buying items with excessive packaging and packaging which cannot be recycled
_____	Buy only items you're sure you'll use
_____	Buy items in bulk
_____	Buy concentrated products
_____	Buy items, especially paper products, with "post-consumer" recycled content when feasible
_____	Buy energy-efficient appliances
_____	Buy plug-in, instead of battery-powered, appliances
_____	Buy clothes which contain organic cotton, hemp, recycled PET plastic and/or unbleached and non-toxic dyes
_____	Avoid buying products made from tropical hardwoods or old growth trees
_____	Avoid using the store's bags

TRANSPORTATION
 

_____	Walk, ride a bike, use public transit or car pool instead of driving when feasible
_____	Plan ahead to combine trips
_____	Use your most efficient vehicle when feasible
_____	Keep your vehicle in good operating condition (tuned up, emissions system checked, tires properly inflated) or buy a new fuel-efficient vehicle
_____	Avoid quick starts
_____	Drive slower
_____	Avoid idling your vehicle for long periods
_____	Wash your car at a car wash or with water from a bucket (vice a hose)

REMEMBER:   EVERY  LITTLE  BIT  HELPS !!
 

From checklists.com

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