Steps to conserve environment

Answer 1

In Your Home -- Conserve Energy # Clean or replace air filters on your air conditioning unit at least once a month. # If you have central air conditioning, do not close vents in unused rooms. # Lower the thermostat on your water heater to 120. # Wrap your water heater in an insulated blanket. # Turn down or shut off your water heater when you will be away for extended periods. # Turn off unneeded lights even when leaving a room for a short time. # Set your refrigerator temperature at 36 to 38 and your freezer at 0 to 5 . # When using an oven, minimize door opening while it is in use; it reduces oven temperature by 25 to 30 every time you open the door. # Clean the lint filter in your dryer after every load so that it uses less energy. # Unplug seldom used appliances. # Use a microwave when- ever you can instead of a conventional oven or stove. # Wash clothes with warm or cold water instead of hot. # Reverse your indoor ceiling fans for summer and winter operations as recommended. # Turn off lights, computers and other appliances when not in use. # Purchase appliances and office equipment with the Energy Star Label; old refridgerators, for example, use up to 50 more electricity than newer models. # Only use electric appliances when you need them. # Use compact fluorescent light bulbs to save money and energy. # Keep your thermostat at 68 in winter and 78 in summer. # Keep your thermostat higher in summer and lower in winter when you are away # Insulate your home as best as you can. # Install weather stripping around all doors and windows. # Shut off electrical equipment in the evening when you leave work. # Plant trees to shade your home. # Shade outside air conditioning units by trees or other means. # Replace old windows with energy efficient ones. # Use cold water instead of warm or hot water when possible. # Connect your outdoor lights to a timer. # Buy green electricity - electricity produced by low - or even zero-pollution facilities. In your home-reduce toxicity.In Your Home -- Reduce Toxicity # Eliminate mercury from your home by purchasing items without mercury, and dispose of items containing mercury at an appropriate drop-off facility when necessary (e.g. old # thermometers). # Learn about alternatives to household cleaning items that do not use hazardous chemicals. # Buy the right amount of paint for the job. # Review labels of household cleaners you use. Consider alternatives like baking soda, scouring pads, water or a little more elbow grease. # When no good alternatives exist to a toxic item, find the least amount required for an effective, sanitary result. # If you have an older home, have paint in your home tested for lead. If you have lead-based paint, cover it with wall paper or other material instead of sanding it or burning it off. # Use traps instead of rat and mouse poisons and insect killers. # Have your home tested for radon. # Use cedar chips or aromatic herbs instead of mothballs.

In Your Yard # Avoid using leaf blowers and other dust-producing equipment. # Use an electric lawn- mower instead of a gas-powered one. # Leave grass clippings on the yard-they decompose and return nutrients to the soil. # Use recycled wood chips as mulch to keep weeds down, retain moisture and prevent erosion. # Use only the required amount of fertilizer. # Minimize pesticide use. # Create a wildlife habitat in your yard. # Water grass early in the morning. # Rent or borrow items like ladders, chain saws, party decorations and others that are seldom used. # Take actions that use non hazardous components (e.g., to ward off pests, plant marigolds in a garden instead of using pesticide). # Put leaves in a compost heap instead of burning them or throwing them away. Yard debris too large for your compost bin should be taken to a yard-debris recycler.In Your Office # Copy and print on both sides of paper. # Reuse items like envelopes, folders and paper clips. # Use mailer sheets for interoffice mail instead of an envelope.Use mailer sheets for interoffice mail instead of an envelope. # Set up a bulletin board for memos instead of sending a copy to each employee. # Use email instead of paper correspondence. # Use recycled paper. # Use discarded paper for scrap paper. # Encourage your school and/or company to print documents with soy-based inks, which are less toxic. # Use a ceramic coffee mug instead of a disposable cup.

Ways To Protect Our Air # Ask your employer to consider flexible work schedules or telecommuting. # Recycle printer cartridges. # Shut off electrical equipment in the evening when you leave work. # Report smoking vehicles to your local air agency. # Don't use your wood stove or fireplace when air quality is poor. # Avoid slow-burning, smoldering fires. They produce the largest amount of pollution. # Burn seasoned wood - it burns cleaner than green wood. # Use solar power for home and water heating. # Use low-VOC or water-based paints, stains, finishes and paint strippers. # Purchase radial tires and keep them properly inflated for your vehicle. # Paint with brushes or rollers instead of using spray paints to minimize harmful emissions. # Ignite charcoal barbecues with an electric probe or other alternative to lighter fluid. # If you use a wood stove, use one sold after 1990. They are required to meet federal emissions standards and are more efficient and cleaner burning. # Walk or ride your bike instead of driving, whenever possible. # Join a carpool or van pool to get to work. Ways to Use Less Water # Check and fix any water leaks. # Install water-saving devices on your faucets and toilets. # Don't wash dishes with the water running continuously. # Wash and dry only full loads of laundry and dishes. # Follow your community's water use restrictions or guidelines. # Install a low-flow shower head. # Replace old toilets with new ones that use a lot less water. # Turn off washing machine's water supply to prevent leaks.

Ways to Protect Our Water # Re vegetate or mulch disturbed soil as soon as possible. # Never dump anything down a storm drain. # Have your septic tank pumped and system inspected regularly. # Check your car for oil or other leaks, and recycle motor oil. # Take your car to a car wash instead of washing it in the driveway. # Learn about your watershed.

Create Less Trash # Buy items in bulk from loose bins when possible to reduce the packaging wasted. # Avoid products with several layers of packaging when only one is sufficient. About 33 of what we throw away is packaging.# Buy products that you can reuse. # Maintain and repair durable products instead of buying new ones. # Check reports for products that are easily repaired and have low breakdown rates. # Reuse items like bags and containers when possible. # Use cloth napkins instead of paper ones. # Use reusable plates and utensils instead of disposable ones. # Use reusable containers to store food instead of aluminum foil and cling wrap. # Shop with a canvas bag instead of using paper and plastic bags. # Buy rechargeable batteries for devices used frequently. # Reuse packaging cartons and shipping materials. Old newspapers make great packaging material. # Compost your vegetable scraps. Buy used furniture - there is a surplus of it, and it is much cheaper than new furniture