The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a great source of information for individuals and businesses wanting to do more to protect the environment and reduce, reuse, and recycle. Here are some tips that can be tried at home or in the office!
- Use your garbage disposal sparingly. When you compost vegetable food waste, you’re conserving and using less water (and your garden will love the nutrient rich food).
- Appliances such as your TV, DVD player, cell phone charger, etc. consume energy just by being plugged in. Unplug them when you are not using them.
- Use a lunch box or insulated cooler for lunch instead of a paper or plastic sack.
- In the lunchroom, take only what you plan to use and eat. This includes food, paper napkins, condiment packets, straws, plastic drink tops, and other disposable items. Some items, like plastic forks and spoons, can be washed and used multiple times.
- If you buy drinks while on the road, bring your own mug or container and/or patronize places that provide refillable containers – some places will reduce the cost of the drink if you bring your own container!
- Copy articles double-sided when possible and request double-sided printing at copy centers
- Save files and e-mails electronically, and don’t print out a hard copy of everything.
- Use as much natural light as possible. If you use indoor lights, switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). If you are stepping out of a room for more than 15 minutes, turn off the lights.
- Simplify your life! Keep only those belongings that you use and enjoy on a regular basis. Think before you buy – do you really need it? Try the seven-day rule: wait a week after you make a decision to buy something to eliminate impulse buying.This will save you money too!
- Carpool to school, athletic events, shopping to reduce your energy consumption (and save gas money and wear and tear on your automobile).
WasteCare Wants You to Remember: If each person made one conscious effort every day to reduce their waste (even just re-using a plastic fork instead of throwing it away) think about the impact that would have on the environment!