- Be part of the recycling loop - purchase only items made from recycled materials.
- Reduce paper and ink - print double side and in black and white.
- New insulated, double pane windows can slash energy loss by 40% per window.
- Learn to ride your bike or use public transportation to help reduce emissions.
- Buy local products - it cuts down on fuel for transport and supports the local community.
- Turn it off when not in use - lights, television, DVD player, computer, etc.
- Fill your dishwasher and washing machine with a full load to save water, electricity, and money on cleaners.
- Do your weekly shopping in a single trip to save on gas.
- Turn down your water heater setting to 120 degrees - it means extra pennies in your pocket.
- Hang out clean laundry to dry on clear days rather than tumble drying it.
- Defrost your fridge and freezer regularly to keep them running efficiently.
- Set your thermostat a couple of degrees higher in summer and a few degrees lower in winter to save energy and reduce your bill.
- Look for the "Energy Star" label when purchasing new appliances.
- Learn to compost - it saves money on fertilizers and your plants will love it.
- Donate household items to a local charity like Goodwill or Salvation Army instead of tossing them in the trash.
- Caulking leaks around windows, doors, and vents is an easy way to cut energy loss.
- Get creative in your gift-giving - make your gifts, buy tickets to an event, or donate to a good cause.
- When your incandescent light burns out, replace it with a low-energy compact fluorescent bulb.
- Install low-flow showerheads and take shorter showers to save water, energy, and money.
- Recycle aluminum cans - one can saves enough energy to run a computer for three hours.
- Find your local recycling centers by visiting www.egtrashrecycleservices.org.
- Reuse totes and bags when going to the grocery store or mall to reduce plastic bags. Recycle plastic bags at retail stores in Elk Grove.
- Use rechargeable batteries.
- Update insulation in older homes to make them more energy efficient.
- Use old calendars or colorful pictures to make your own envelopes.
- SPCA and pet shops appreciate old newspapers.
- Recycle old magazines - give them to doctor or dentist offices, gyms, or friends.
- Uninsulated ducts can lose 10 to 30 percent of the energy used to heat and cool the air they carry.
- Styrofoam doesn't degrade. Find a substitute if possible. Avoid styrofoam peanut packaging - reuse any you receive.
- Don't let faucet taps leak or drip. A running faucet uses 3-5 gallons a minute.
Recycling is something that everyone can easily do, and it really does make a big difference. Here are some simple recycling tips you can make and stick to.
- Recycle paper (junk mail, boxes, magazines, envelopes, food boxes) plus bottles and cans (aluminum, glass, metal, and plastic).
- Buy products with little or no packaging and buy the largest size you can use.
- Choose reusable products: non-disposable cameras, reusable or electric razors, reusable dishes, mugs and utensils, and reusable lunch boxes.
- Bring your own mug for coffee - paper cups waste money and landfill space.
- Buy products made with recycled materials; look for post-consumer content.
- Take only what you need - refuse unneeded giveaways, bags, or flyers.
- Save gas by using E-tran public bus transportation or carpooling to work.
- Compost backyard trimmings and fruit/vegetable scraps.
- Reduce junk mail by mailing a postcard with your name and address to the Mail Preference Service (Direct Marketing Association, P.O. Box 9008, Farmingdale, NY 11735-9608).
Mail Preference Service, Direct Marketing Association
P.O. Box 9008, Farmingdale, NY 11735-9608
Share these recycling tips with your friends and family.