REDUCE

Water Use:

• Only wash full loads of clothes and dishes.

• Add a sand-filled jug to your toilet tank and save about a half-gallon of water each flush.

• Taking 5 minutes off your shower can save up to 12 gallons of water.

• Scraping or wiping off dishes before putting them in the dishwasher or sink allows you to skip the pre-wash cycle.

• Try washing fruits and vegetables in a large bowl rather than under a running faucet.

• Native plants normally require less water and will help for a more natural ecosystem.

Energy Use:

• Set your thermostat to 68 degrees in the winter and 74 degrees in summer to cut energy use. 

• If you aren’t using it, TURN IT OFF. This is harder than it sounds, at least everyone at my house thinks so.

• Unplug small appliances and chargers when no one is using them.

Replace these and other appliances with Energy Star appliances when possible.

• Insulation is very important in saving energy as well.

 

Polluted Runoff:

• Use plant-derived and non-toxic pesticides and weed killers.

• Mulch or ground cover plants on bare ground can prevent soil erosion and flow of water.

• Let downspouts flow into rain barrels, rain gardens, or layers of rocks.

• You can also wash your car at a car wash where they recycle their wash water.

• Keep fertilizers off of driveways and sidewalks where they can easily flow to storm drains.

• It is best to fertilize in the fall so spring rains don’t wash off lawns into waterways.

• Instead of concrete, use porous surfaces like gravel or pavers for patios to minimize run-off.

• Build a trench or stormwater pond to keep polluted stormwater from reaching local waterways.

• Use toxic and plastic-free personal products. Lots of facial scrubbers have plastic for exfoliating. These and the toxic chemicals end up in our waterways as well. 

• Use phosphate-free and biodegradable soaps and detergents.

 

Plastic Use:

• Stop using disposable plastic bottles. This is the biggest thing. There are many other options.

• Carry reusable totes in the car at all times for shopping trips.

• Don’t use plastic straws. If you must use a straw, buy reusable metal straws.

• Buy a lunch box instead of plastic and paper bags.

 

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REUSE

• Utilize a rain barrel to collect water from downspouts to water plants or wash cars.

• When starting the shower and waiting for the water to heat, use a bucket to catch the water to later use for plants or pet bowls.

• If you fill a baby pool over the summer, reuse the water in a garden or rinse off outdoor areas.

 

RECYCLE

House:

• Be sure you hire a trash company that offers a recycling service and be sure to follow their guidelines. This is important to not contaminate that which can be recycled. 

• #5 plastics are collected for “The High 5 Recycling Initiative” to be turned back into raw materials. 

• Dry plastic bags and bubble wrap are collected at stores for Trex recycling.

• Recycle your cardboard and paper products in the blue bins. They must be clean and dry.  Other products can be made from this material and keep extra trees from being cut down.

• Aluminum cans are also everyday items that should be recycled in the blue bins so they can be reused.

• Recycle your electronics. 22-55 tons of electronics enter the waste stream.

 

Car:

• Donate your car instead of sending it to the junkyard. Many nonprofits accept car donations and they will repair or recycle the vehicle.

• Properly dispose of used motor oils and antifreeze at participating gas stations, car repair centers, and landfills. Not only does it keep motor oil out of waterways, but they make clean oil out of the dirty oil reducing the amount of petroleum used.

• Recycle scrap tires at a tire shop or retailer who can reuse, recycle or rethread them.