Spring: Time for Families to Go Green

Reduce trash:

• Cut down on disposable paper product use – use sponges or rags instead of paper towels, cloth napkins instead of paper napkins, ceramic plates instead of paper plates, reusable microwave plate cover instead of waxed paper
• Use parchment paper instead of foil (which doesn’t decompose)
• Use containers for food items like leftovers instead of plastic bags
• Find ways to repurpose items instead of throwing them away
• Make your own compost area
• Use dryer softener balls instead of disposable softener sheets
• Reduce excessive purchases of food, clothes and toys
• Sign up for online paperless billing
• Switch to cloth diapers, at least just when at home

Reduce plastics:

• The big thing now is to eliminate plastic straws – use paper or none
• Use reusable water bottles instead of plastic disposable bottles
• Use reusable cloth grocery and shopping bags instead of the stores’ plastic bags
• Use reusable mesh produce bags at the grocery store instead of their tear-off plastic bags
• Use washable fruit and vegetable containers with strainers built in

Reduce carbon emissions from vehicles:

• Coast when approaching intersections or stop signs
• Don’t punch the accelerator hard when the light turns green
• Drive the speed limit
• Combine errands to one trip and resist running to the store for just a few items
• Get oil changed regularly
• Clean out the garage so your car can sleep indoors overnight and last longer
• Walk or ride a bike or public transportation when possible

Save energy:

• Use LED light bulbs as you replace current ones
• Turn out lights when you leave a room, hold off turning them on at dusk
• Install programmable thermostats to keep the temperatures low when no one is home, overnight or on vacations
• Reduce the time you let water run whether you are showering, brushing your teeth or washing your hands
• Use cold water as much as possible (laundry, showers and washing hands), don’t turn the water on high and fix that leaky faucet
• Hang laundry outside on a line to dry when possible
• Turn off your computer completely at night
• Unplug chargers and infrequently used appliances like the toaster
• Switch appliances to energy efficient models when they need to be replaced (“Energy Star” labeled)