Tips for committing to live green whether you are at home or at work:
At Home:
- Open up windows to let air circulate through, instead of turning on the A/C. This will also help save you money on your electricity bill.
- Use washable plates and pans. It may increase dish-washing, but will help from adding to the trash already overwhelming landfills.
- Water your plants less often. Having a green yard will help the environment by taking in the excess CO2 and releasing more oxygen in the air, but watering them too much can contribute to droughts.
- Separate trash from recycling. This has been a concerted effort for Americans for years, but most forget that you need to dispose of batteries differently than the rest of the trash. Find programs that will recycle batteries, along with printer and computer parts that are often thrown in with the rest of the trash.
- Compost everything from coffee grounds, egg shells and melon rinds to yard clippings and cut grass.
- While you’re waiting for your water to get hot, fill a bucket and reuse the water in the garden.
At Work:
- Try to conserve paper–print out less documents or use “virtual Post-Its” to take notes instead of paper. If you want to write things down, keep a pile of scrap paper–documents you no longer need and can write on.
- Use energy efficient lights.
- Power off all machines at the end of the day.
- Recycle toner cartridges. Costco will refill ink jet cartridges and companies like Red Dog Toner will give you a rebate for Xerox toner cartridges.
- If you receive excessive, unread catalogs or magazines, call the direct mail company and take your name off their list.
- Be picky about where your products are from and what resources were used to make them. Seek companies who practice sustainable methods and offer green products.
- Join organizations that support the growth of green products and services like the USGBC or CleanTech.
- Switch from printed collateral to online collateral such as electronic letterhead, online data sheets, digital invitations, and email blasts.
- Take a coffee mug or refillable bottle to work instead of using disposable cups. If you are going to a coffee shop before work, ask to have them pour your drink in your mug instead of using their disposable cups.
- Carpool with other co-workers or family members, or use the train to commute. If you’re close enough, ride your bike.
- For lunch, bring re-usable containers and bags–reduce waste and your waist!
