| What You Can Do |
| WHAT YOU CAN DO TODAY Change your light bulbs Hang your clothes to dry Eat meat 1 day less a week Recycle, Reduce, Renew Eat Organic, Shop Local Buy Eco-Friendly Products Sign Petitions Contact your Governmental Representative Volunteer Cancel Catalogs and reduce your junk mail Don't Buy Styrofoam Containers Pay Bills Online Support Local Farmers Buy Green Power from your utility company Join a CSA Buy reusable grocery bags & recycle the others Buy in Bulk to reduce Packaging Plant a Tree Become educated and educate others Start your own Garden Stop consuming - Think before you purchase Turn the power off Create a smaller lawn Use non-toxic cleansers |
Change your food choices to include more:
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| COMPOSTING Composting can divert 1/3 to 1/2 of waste that will end up in our already overloaded landfills. You can transform your kitchen and yard waste into a valuable fertilizer. Items that can be composted include:
How it works: Deposit food waste items at any time, on any day. Add up to 120 lbs (55kg) per month. For best results, cut items into small pieces. Items remain in the upper chamber, with "hot composting" conditions: mixing, air flow, heat, and moisture. The energy released destroys odors, pathogens, and seed germination. The compost is later transferred through a trap door to the lower cure tray chamber, where it continues to compost while you add fresh waste items to the upper chamber. No odors, worms, or bugs: Cultures consume waste quickly, without odors. The cultures produce a mild aroma similar to sourdough, mushrooms, or damp straw. Balance the chemistry by adding a small amount of sawdust to increase "brown" content, and baking soda to reduce acidity (both are included). A fan draws air into the machine continuously, providing oxygen to the cultures. A powerful carbon filter removes any lingering odors. Replace the filter every 4-5 years ($8 online, or about $1 if you buy the carbon yourself). Use it anywhere: Fits inside any standard cabinet (cabinet kit sold separately). Keep it in the kitchen, a garage, or laundry room. Use it outdoors, even in the snow, rain, or freezing temperatures. Keep the power supply dry, using a weather-rated power outlet (available at most hardware stores). www.naturemill.com |
| SAVE MONEY AT HOME Installing only 6 compact flourescent bulbs will save the average American household $60 per year. Jacketing your water heater can reduce your energy loss by up to 45% CFL light bulbs use 1/5 the energy Mowing a large yard with a gas mower lets off more CO2 than a 300 mile car drive Adjusting the thermostat by 2 degrees (warmer in summer, cooler in winter) will save 600 lbs of CO2 a year Planting tall trees and shrubs near your house can lower your air conditioning bills by up to 40 percent. Make the biggest impact by planting deciduous trees on the west side of your house. |
| GO AHEAD - USE YOUR DISHWASHER Using the dishwasher is actually better for the planet than washing dishes by hand. The average energy-efficient dishwasher uses just 4 gallons per cycle, saving as much as 5,000 gallons of water per year compared with hand washing, as well as $40 in energy costs and 230 hours of washing time, according to the EPA. |
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| HOW TO BUY A GREEN GIFT 1. Be thoughtful about your purchases and pick items built to last. 2. Pick products made from recycled or renewable materials. 3. Look for "Fair Trade" imports, such as jewelry, housewares and crafts. 4. When in doubt, buy food. Organic, Fair Trade and Locally Grown are always a good bet. Make a gift basket. Food doesn't usually go to waste. MATERIAL-FREE GIFTS Some gifts require no wrapping. Instead of a product, try giving the gift of an experience instead.
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| GIFTS THAT GIVE BACK Have someone who is impossible to shop for? Consider making a donation in their name, picking an organization that is close to their heart. A gist as small as $20 can make substantial improvements to the environment and the lives of people all over the globe. |
| GO GREEN - SAVE MONEY Use your used dryer cloths to dust with, great on the tv |