The purpose of this article is to provide 40 simple ways you can conserve energy and reduce

toxicity in your home and office. By implementing these practices you will be “doing your
part” to save the environment.

At the end

of the list, I have provided 13 GREAT websites that you can visit to buy products and get
more information about making your life more “green”. Your actions DO make a difference:

1. Turn off unneeded lights even when leaving a room for a short time

2. Once your cell phone is charged, unplug it from the charger!

3. Set your refrigerator temperature at 36 to 38 and your freezer at 0 to 5

4. 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

5. Unplug seldom used appliances

6. Purchase appliances and office equipment with the Energy Star Label; old refrigerators, for
example, use significant more energy than newer models

7. Turn down or shut off your water heater when you will be away for extended periods

8. Use electric appliances only when you need them

9. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs to save money and energy.

10. Shut off electrical equipment in the evening when you leave work

11. Replace old windows with energy efficient ones

12. Use cold water instead of warm or hot water when possible

13. Buy green electricity – electricity produced by low – or even zero-pollution facilities
14. 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)

15. Learn about alternatives to household cleaning items that do not use hazardous chemicals

16. Review labels of household cleaners you use. Consider alternatives like baking soda,
scouring pads, water

17. Use traps instead of rat and mouse poisons and insect killers

18. Have your home tested for radon

19. Minimize pesticide use

20. Turn off computers and other appliances when not in use

21. Copy and print on both sides of paper

22. Reuse items like envelopes, folders and paper clips

23. Use e-mail instead of paper correspondence

24. Use recycled paper

25. Use discarded paper for scrap paper

26. Encourage your school and/or company to print documents with soy-based inks, which are
less toxic

27. Telecommute!

28. Purchase radial tires and keep them properly inflated for your vehicle

29. Walk or ride your bike instead of driving, whenever possible

30. Join a carpool to get to work

31. Check and fix any water leaks

32. Install water-saving devices on your faucets and toilets

33. Don’t wash dishes with the water running continuously

34. Install a low-flow shower head

35. Replace old toilets with new ones that use a lot less water

36. Avoid products with several layers of packaging when only one is sufficient (about 33 of
what we throw away is packaging)

37. Use reusable plates and utensils instead of disposable ones

38. Use reusable containers to store food instead of aluminum foil and wrap

39. Shop with a canvas bag instead of using paper and plastic bags

40. Buy rechargeable batteries for devices used frequently