An image of Falls Park. Upon it is some text that advises Live Greener: Recycle with Single Stream; all in one container. Reuse your shopping bag. Rethink printing; go double-sided or don't print. Reduce water usage. Replace bulbs with compact fluorescents.

Live Greener At Home

Water Conservation
  • Conduct a water audit. Check faucets for dripping and toilets for incessant running. A leaky faucet wastes 20 gallons of water a day.
  • Shorten your shower. Every minute in the shower uses 6-8 gallons.
  • Install water-saving shower heads.
  • Wash only full-loads of laundry or adjust the water setting on your washer.
  • Reuse tap water. Capture water while you’re waiting for it to warm up and use it on household plants.
  • Set your lawn sprinklers for more days in between watering. Install an automatic rain shut-off device on your sprinkler systems. Or, best of all, plant native plants in your lawn that don’t require additional water.
  • Turn off the water while shaving and brushing your teeth.
  • Run your dishwasher only when it’s full. 
Recycling
  • Drink from a reusable water bottle. Plastic bottles generate a great amount of container and production waste, and they do not break down in the landfill.
  • Donate or recycle electronic equipment when no longer using them. Do not throw them away—they contain mercury and other toxic waste.
  • Keep a recycle bin where you’re most likely to use it. Common recyclable items include papers (mail, newspaper, cardboard), glass, metals (including aluminum), plastics (bottles, containers) yard waste (grasses, etc.) and electronic equipment.
  • Use paper-lined cups instead of Styrofoam, and then recycle them.
  • When it comes to plastics, check the number in a triangle on the bottom of the container. Contact your city to find out which numbers are recyclable by curbside and where you can recycle more difficult plastics.
  • Skip the ATM receipt, the gasoline receipt and the credit card receipt.
  • Return grocery bags to the store where you received them. And then buy cloth bags. Many stores will give you a discount for doing so.
  • Use a composting system to turn scraps and yard trimmings into fertilizer.
Energy
  • Install compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL’s) in the place of others.
  • Set your thermostat higher in the summer, lower in the winter.
  • Unplug appliances when you’re not using them. Items like cellphone chargers still exert energy, even when not in use. A “smart” power strip recognizes when an appliance isn’t being used.
  • Wash clothes in cold water and use a rack in place of the dryer whenever possible.
  • Insulate your home. Have it checked for leaks.
  • Think about what you eat: meals that are local, organic, seasonal and include less meat require less energy and contribute to a healthy planet.
  • Keep your vehicle tires properly inflated. You’ll save gas.
Building
  • Buy Energy Star appliances and electronics.
  • Replace your cleaning products with natural ones— non-toxic cleaning products are as easy as baking soda, vinegar, lemon and soap.
  • Install water-conserving shower heads.
  • Install ceiling fans to take the place of air conditioning when possible.
  • Avoid solvents, adhesives, sealants and paints with toxic chemicals. Use brands that are water-based rather than petroleum-derived.
  • Look for carpets made from recycled materials.
  • Install programmable heating and cooling to adjust temperatures when you’re away from home.
  • Incorporate a fresh-air ventilation system to replace stale indoor air with fresh air from outdoors.
  • Use lumber from certified, sustainable forests.
  • Consider recycled fabrics for couches, curtains, chairs and more.
  • Install motion sensors and dimmable controls for lighting.
  • Light-colored roofing from recycled materials will reduce heat from sun and keep your home cooler in the summer.
  • Install flooring products from rapidly renewable resources, like bamboo.
  • Outdoors, consider landscaping that will provide shade and cooling to your house: leafy trees, awnings and eaves.