"Greening" your home or office involves some planning and collaboration. Below are ten tips that can make the earth greener and move toward the ultimate goal of reducing our carbon footprint.
- Stop printing!
If you must have something printed, be sure you can recycle it later. - Buy local.
Locally owned companies stimulate the economy by creating local jobs. Also, there is no shipping, thus reducing carbon emissions. - Use cloth tablecloths and napkins.
- Choose potted plants instead of plastic or fresh-cut flowers.
- Use china and glass; no disposable items.
- No plastic bottled water.
That bottle usually ends up in a landfill because most people throw the bottle away even when there are recyclable containers in view. Use your reusable water bottle or buy glass or aluminum cans. - Set up recyclable disposable bins next to the garbage and encourage its use often.
- When it is safe, encourage carpooling.
- Encourage cycling and walking to work.
- Before booking that next trip, evaluate alternative modes of transportation.
Can you obtain that education online or locally?
If you must travel, is it more earth-friendly to drive, travel by train, or bus?
If you do one or two of the items listed above, carbon emissions are reduced, trees saved, and costs cut.
