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Energy Conservation

  • Reduce our use of and dependence on nonrenewable energy sources, such as fossil fuels, to reserve the Earth's natural resources. It also reduces water pollution and outside air pollution, helping to maintain a healthy environment for all life on Earth.

  • Walk and bicycle as much as possible. Talk with neighbors and coworkers to compare schedules to develop carpools. Drive energy efficient cars whenever possible.

  • Insulate homes to reduce air infiltration and heat loss and use energy efficient windows.

  • Buy the most energy efficient lights, and appliances available. Evaluate them in terms of lifetime costs.

  • Obtain as much heat and cooling as possible from natural sources, especially sun, wind, and trees.

  • Plant and care for trees to help absorb carbon dioxide. During its lifetime, the average tree absorbs enough carbon dioxide to offset the amount produced by driving a car 26,000 miles.

  • Turn off lights in rooms that are not in use; if outdoor lighting is needed, use a motion control device to only activate it when needed, reducing both energy use and light pollution.

  • Lower the thermostat on water heaters to 110-120 degrees F and home heating thermostats to 68 degrees.

  • Lower the cooling load on an air conditioner by increasing the thermostat setting, installing energy-efficient lighting, and using ceiling fans.

  • Where possible, switch from incandescent lights to fluorescent lights, which generate less heat and are more energy efficient.

Water Conservation 

  • Turn off sink faucets when brushing teeth, shaving or washing. Wash only full loads of clothes and dishes.

  • Follow water conservation measures during times of drought, which generally include guidelines for lawn and garden watering, automobile washing, and pool filling.

  • Plant drought tolerant plants and trees in your yard.

  • Consider composting your food waste instead of using the garbage disposal, which uses a large amount of water.

  • Sweep walks and driveways instead of washing them.

Solid Waste Reduction

Reducing the amount of solid waste being generated saves Earth resources and reduces the amount of materials being sent to landfills and incinerators. What follows are a list of suggestions to assist you with being a good environmental steward with regard to solid waste.

  • Buy less! Ask yourself whether you really have a need for a particular item.

  • Make double sided copies whenever possible.

  • Be a good consumer; buy durable goods that need replacing less often over their lifetime; buy things that are reusable, recyclable, or compostable, and be sure to reuse, recycle and compost them! Choose items that have the least packaging, or no packaging at all.

  • Buy recycled goods, especially those made by primary recycling, and then make the effort to recycle them

  • Use rechargeable batteries and recycle them at the end of their lives.

  • Recycle! At work, gather daily your recyclable paper waste and put it in the blue recycle bin located in each room.

  • Use sponges and dishcloths instead of paper towels for wiping down home counters and floors.

  • Reduce the amount of junk mail you receive. Do this by contacting the Mail Preference Service, Direct Marketing Association, 11 West 42nd St., PO Box 3681, New York, NY, 10163-3861 and ask that your name not be sold to large mailing-list companies.