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	What You Can Do

 

At Home •• At Work •• In Your Yard •• On the Go •• Shopping

At Home

Most actions, retrofits, or updates are linked to outside resources to provide further information. Just click on a linked action, retrofit, or update to lean more.

Action, Retrofits, & Updates	Benefits
	Pollution Reduction	Water Quality Conservation	Material Reduction	Energy Efficiency
Free / Actions
Shop for your electricity provider
Unplug Electronics When They Are Not In Use
Turn Off the Lights When You Leave a Room
Use Your Computer's Power Down or Sleep Option
Don't Place Lamps or TVs Next to the Thermostat
Use Task Lighting Instead of Lighting an Entire Room
Lower the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees
Turn Off the Water When You Are Not Using It
Don't Block Vents With Furniture
Use Ceiling Fans to Help Cool Your Home
Wait to Run Your Dishwasher and Washing Machine Until You Have a Full Load
Take Shorter Showers
Compost your kitchen scraps rather than putting them in the trash
Collect fats, oils, and greases and dispose of them properly, not down the drain
Properly dispose of household hazardous waste
Recycle
Stop Junk Mail From Being Sent to You
Use e-Billing and Paperless Statement Options For Your Finances
Take the Home Energy Audit (.pdf)
Low Cost / Retrofit - Update
Replace Incandescent Light Bulbs with CFLs
Weather Strip Your Exterior Doors
Caulk Around Your Windows
Use a Programmable Thermostat
Reduce the Use of Chemical Cleaners By Using Natural Alternatives
Replace Leaking Faucets and Toilets
Install Low-Flow Showerheads and Faucets
Change Air-Conditioning Filters Regularly
Insulate Any Exposed Pipes
Higher Cost / Retrofits - Updates
Buy Clean Renewable Energy
Properly Insulate Your Attic
Use Solar Screens, or White Blinds to Keep Heat Out
Replace Old Appliances With Energy Star Products
Replace Old Toilets With Low-Flow Toilets
Switch to a tank-less water heater
Use Radiant Barrier Paint

This list is by no means exhaustive, but instead are suggestions that will help cut energy consumption, increase air quality, conserve and increase water quality, reduce material that is sent to landfills, and help all of us become more sustainable.

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At Work

Most actions, retrofits, or updates are linked to outside resources to provide further information. Just click on a linked action, retrofit, or update to lean more.

Action, Retrofits, & Updates	Benefits
For Employees	Pollution Reduction	Water Quality Conservation	Material Reduction	Energy Efficiency
Free / Actions
Use Reusable Containers and Utensils For Your Lunch
Use a Glass or Mug For Drinking
Recycle - Particularly Paper
Set Your Printers Default to Double-Sided Printing
Print Draft Documents on Scratch Paper
Turn-Off All Electronics (Radio's, TVs) During Lunch and When You Leave
Turn-Off Your Monitor When You Go For Lunch
Turn-Off Your Computer When You Leave For the Day
Turn-Off All Lights, Including Lamps, During Lunch and When You Leave
Reuse Large Envelopes and Files
Recycle Used Toner Cartridges
Carpool to Work
Work a Flexible Schedule During Non-Peak Commute Time
Telecommute
Low Cost / Retrofit - Update
Put Plants in Your Office to Absorb Indoor Air Pollution
For Employers
Free / Actions
Establish an Environmental Plan For Your Office
Low Cost / Retrofit - Update
Buy Environmental Responsible Cleaning Products
Purchase Office Supplies That Come From Post Consumer Recycled Materials
Higher Cost / Retrofits - Updates
Purchase Energy Star Rated Office Equipment
Purchase Renewable Energy
Replace Your T-12 Fluorescent Lamps With T-8 or T-5 Lamps
Install Occupancy Sensors to Automatically Turn Lights Off
Install Vending Misers on All Vending Machines
Set-Up Flexible Work Schedules and Carpooling
Replace Older Vehicles in Your Fleet With New Alternative Fuel Vehicles
Have Your Office Building LEED Certified
Install Window Film

This list is by no means exhaustive, but instead are suggestions that will help cut energy consumption, increase air quality, conserve and increase water quality, reduce material that is sent to landfills, and help all of us become more sustainable.

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In Your Yard

Most actions, retrofits, or updates are linked to outside resources to provide further information. Just click on a linked action, retrofit, or update to lean more.

Action, Retrofits, & Updates	Benefits
	Pollution Reduction	Water Quality Conservation	Material Reduction	Energy Efficiency
Free / Actions
Leave lawn clippings on the lawn
Water Your Plants During the Morning or Evening Hours
Don't Over Water
Do Not Pour or Sweep Anything Down the Storm Drain
Compost Your Yard Waste
Don't Cut Grass Too Short, This Requires More Water, and is Prone to Weeds
Low Cost / Retrofits - Updates
Use Mulch Around Your Trees and Plants to Better Hold the Moisture
Use Natural Pesticides and Fertilizers
Plant Trees - Shade Your Air-Conditioner and the West and South Side of Your Home
Use a Rainwater Harvesting barrel
Use Xeriscape Landscaping With Native Plants
Grow Your Own Food
Higher Cost / Retrofits - Updates
Buy a Push or Electric Mower
Replace Your Spray Sprinklers With Soaker Hoses or Drip Irrigation
If You Want Yard Lights, Use Solar Yard Lights

This list is by no means exhaustive, but instead are suggestions that will help cut energy consumption, increase air quality, conserve and increase water quality, reduce material that is sent to landfills, and help all of us become more sustainable.

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On the Go

Most actions, retrofits, or updates are linked to outside resources to provide further information. Just click on a linked action, retrofit, or update to lean more.

Action, Retrofits, & Updates	Benefits
	Pollution Reduction	Water Quality Conservation	Material Reduction	Energy Efficiency
Free / Actions
Drive the Speed Limit
Keep Your Tires Properly Inflated, rotated, and aligned
Keep Your Vehicle Properly Tuned-Up, and Change the Filters
Do Not Top-Off When Filling Your Vehicle With Gas
Carpool
Walk or Ride a Bike For Short Distances
Combine Trips
Dispose of Automotive Waste Properly
Do Not Idle Your Engine More Than 5 Minutes
Park in the Shade During the Summer
Use a Windshield Cover
Use Gas Stations That Have Vapor-Recovery Nozzles (Those Black Accordion Plastic Devices)
Low Cost / Retrofit - Update
Use Mass Transit
Higher Cost / Retrofits - Updates
Purchase a Fuel-Smart Car

This list is by no means exhaustive, but instead are suggestions that will help cut energy consumption, increase air quality, conserve and increase water quality, reduce material that is sent to landfills, and help all of us become more sustainable.

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Shopping

Most actions, retrofits, or updates are linked to outside resources to provide further information. Just click on a linked action, retrofit, or update to lean more.

Actions	Benefits
	Pollution Reduction	Water Quality Conservation	Material Reduction	Energy Efficiency
Free
Use Reusable Bags Rather Than Plastic Bags
Shop Local
Shop Online, or by Mail
Eat Less Meat
Sell or Donate Reusable Items
Low Cost
Buy Locally Grown Food
Buy Organic Food
Buy Products Made of Post Consumer Recycled Content
Look for items with little packaging
Support Green Businesses

This list is by no means exhaustive, but instead are suggestions that will help cut energy consumption, increase air quality, conserve and increase water quality, reduce material that is sent to landfills, and help all of us become more sustainable.

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* Most actions, retrofits, or updates are linked to outside resources to provide further information. Just click on a linked action, retrofit, or update to lean more.