Many people have taken the earth’s resources for granted, and it continues to become apparent that we need to change how we live to conserve our planet for future generations.
Turn Off the Lights
- Turn off the lights if you plan to leave a room for more than 15 minutes.
- Install motion sensors or timers on outside lights instead of leaving them on continuously.
- Take advantage of the natural light that comes into your home and office by placing seats near windows.
Use Electronics Efficiently
- Plug electronics into power strips and turn them off when you are done using them.
- Set computers to sleep mode when you are not using them to save 70 percent more energy.
- Recycle electronics that you do not need anymore, or donate them to organizations such as techsoup.org. These charities will refurbish the items and donate them to people in need.
Use Less Paper
- Print on both sides of the page or use the back side of scrap or fax paper to print.
- Buy chlorine-free paper made from recycled materials. Look for paper made of Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) or Post-Consumer Waste (PCW).
- Buy paper made from bamboo, hemp, organic cotton or kenaf.
- When visiting a copy store, ask the clerk to use 100 percent recycled paper.
- Reduce font sizes and decrease line spacing and margins to use less paper when printing.
- Send emails instead of using the postal service.
- Stop junk mail, magazines and newsletters by visiting newdream.org.
- Store documents electronically instead of printing them.
- Request that your bills be sent via email and pay them online.
Buy Recycled
- Furnish your home or office with items made of wood from sustainable harvested forests. For information about these products, visit conservatree.org.
Conserve While You Eat
- Bring reusable dishes, utensils and glassware to work to eat meals.
- Bring food in reusable containers like lunch boxes and Tupperware containers.
- Buy organic food and support your local food market.
- Use a water filter instead of buying bottled water.
Modify Your Commute
- Take public transportation such as the bus, subway or train, or carpool with others.
- Try a car sharing service such as zipcar.com.
- Rent a hybrid car when you go away on business and consider one next time you are purchasing a vehicle.
- If you live close to work, ride your bicycle or walk.
Green Cleaning Products
- Use nontoxic cleaning products and biodegradable soaps.
- Use cloth towels or paper towels made from organic or recycled materials.
- Use a “green” dry cleaner that only uses natural products.
