Looking for ways to “go green” at home? An eco-friendly lifestyle doesn't need to be difficult or expensive. Try these simple suggestions to help go green and save some green too!
Smart Shopping
Buy in Bulk for the items that you use in large quantities. Less packaging= less waste.
Make sure to bring your reusable (canvas) shopping bag to the store. Don’t have one? Pick them up free from the City of Turlock Municipal Services Department!
Opt for eco-friendly products and purchase post-consumer recycled content packaging and products whenever possible.
Recycle
Use your blue cart properly!
Remember not everything can be thrown in the trash either. Leftover household products that contain corrosive, toxic, ignitable, or reactive ingredients are considered to be "household hazardous waste" or "HHW." Products, such as paints, cleaners, oils, batteries, and pesticides, that contain potentially hazardous ingredients require special care when you dispose of them.
A Bright Idea
When your incandescent light bulbs stop working, replace them with the new, energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) CFLs use 2/3 less energy as a traditional incandescent light bulb and last 10 times as long! Making this switch will save you money AND energy! Some incandescent light bulbs may contain lead solder and CFLs contain mercury, so remember to dispose of both properly at your local HHW facility.
Green Your Gadgets
Advancements in technology are happening so fast, it can seem like the new equipment you just bought yesterday has a newer and improved model out today! Electronics become “outdated” so much more quickly than 10 or 20 years ago. To insure you are responsible with your gadgets, consider doing the following:
Donate working electronics to charities or school programs resell or refurbish them.
For broken electronics recycle them with a local E-waste recycling facility.
Refill or recycle your inkjet or toner cartridges.
Keep in mind even computer game equipment and iPODs now have reuse and recycling programs available. G4 TV, in partnership with Earth 911, offers a new campaign encouraging e-gadget reuse and recycling. Visit gcycle.org.
Stretch your battery use. A battery too drained to power a flashlight might be perfect to operate your TV remote. Before you pitch it - switch it!
Water Wisdom
Even though 70% of the world is covered by water, less than 1% is fresh enough to drink or use. With so little fresh water, we need to conserve all that we can.
Repair faucets- Small drips add up to 100-300 gallons a day. Consider the additional waste if you have more than one dripping faucet in your house. Repair dripping and leaking faucets immediately.
Use your dishwasher and washing machine only when they are full. Try to avoid small, partial loads.
Compost food scraps instead of using your garbage disposal. You’ll save gallons of water every time and have a great soil amendment for your garden.
Clean your driveway or sidewalk with a broom instead of hosing it down with water. You’ll save at least 80 gallons of water every time.
Don’t use running water to thaw food.
Insulate your water pipes. You will get hot water faster and use less water if your water pipes are insulated plus avoid wasting water while it heats up.
Saving the Earth and Your Wallet
A few degrees can make all the difference in your energy savings and your wallet. In the summer raise your thermostat two degrees. In the winter lower your thermostat two degrees. You probably won’t notice the difference. at least until your utility bill arrives!
Use a ceiling fan to cool off a room or house. It consumes as little energy as a 60-watt bulb, which is about 98 percent less energy than most central air conditioners.
Install a programmable thermostat to better regulate the temperature in your house through the day and night. Remember to recycle your old, mercury containing thermostats!
When replacing an appliance, be sure to look for one that is more energy efficient. Always look for the ENERGY STARr symbol and compare water and energy usage to ensure you get the best product and environmental savings to suit your needs.
Fossil Fuels Aren’t Cool
Carpool, ride the bus, use public transportation or bike to work
Telecommute. Employee productivity will increase.
Save fuel and time by planning ahead and consolidating trips into one trip.
Keep your tires inflated to the appropriate air pressure level. This will extend the life of your tires and give you better gas mileage.
Service your car on a regular basis per the manufacturer guidelines.
In the market for a new car? Consider one of the new hybrid or fuel efficient vehicles.
Save A Tree
Save paper, time and postage, pay your bills online.
Consider emailing e-cards for holidays and special occasions. There are lots of fun and environmentally-friendly e-cards and options on the Internet.
When printing documents, print on both sides of paper. You can cut your paper consumption in almost half.
Email documents and information instead of printing and mailing them.
Save documents on your computer or on a disk instead of in a print copy in your filing cabinet. You’ll free up lots of space!
