Green Team

"Go Green" Tips

It's easy to go green! Here are 10 simple ways to reuse, reduce, recycle, and respect at home, at work, and at your school.

1. Carry reusable cloth bags: In landfills, plastic bags can take 1,000 years to biodegrade and, when left as litter, they can break down into tiny pieces that contaminate water and soil.
2. Use reusable water bottles and water filtration systems: Eliminate the need for plastic water bottles and water delivery systems.
3. Reuse and recycle paper: Don't stop with paper used at your desk. Recycle manila envelopes, Post-it Notes, magazines, and newspapers. Go a step further and use paper that has been printed on one side as scratch paper!
4. Recycle glass, plastic and aluminum: Many cities now offer curbside recycling bins or drop-off facilities. Contact your city government for more information.
5. Buy local and organic food: Minimize the 1,500 miles that most food travels from “farm to fork” and support your local economy.
6. Install programmable thermostats: Setting your thermostat to turn on when you need it and changing the temperature as little as 2 degrees can reduce a home, office, or salon’s carbon dioxide emissions by up to 9 percent a year.
7. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs: Energy-efficient bulbs might be more costly up front, but their longevity and efficiency save money in the long run.
8. Choose eco-friendly transportation: Carpool, bike, walk, or use public transportation whenever you can.
9. Unplug appliances: According to the government’s ENERGY STAR program, 40% of the electricity used by home electronics is consumed while products are turned off.
10. Conserve water: Minimize waste by checking for leaks, tightly turning off faucets,  and installing water-efficient showerheads, toilets, and faucets.