Recycle, Recycle, Recycle! So much of what we use in our homes is recyclable, from cans and bottles to newspapers and milk jugs. If your waste management company does not have a recycling program, drive your recyclables to the closest recycling center or insist that they implement one as soon as possible. 

Donate unwanted items to a local thrift store or community center. Many items have lots of useful life left, even if not to you, and it is also tax deductable! Anything from clothing, cell phones, electronics and even cars are in serious need by many organizations. 

Save Water! Keep your showers short, watering to a minimum and monitor your usage on a monthly basis. If your shower takes a while to warm up, consider filling up buckets with the cold water to feed plants or cook with. 

Consider setting up a compost pile if possible. This is a great way to reduce your waste and contribute to the “greener” good. 

Walk or ride bicycles to local stores or parks. Reducing the amount of carbon emissions from simple car trips to the store promotes good health and environmental responsibility. 

Purchase Energy Star rated appliances for your home to help reduce your energy bills and your carbon footprint. 

Turn off lights and un-plug appliances when not in use. Coffee machines, hand-held vacuum chargers, phone chargers and more all significantly affect your energy bills, and a majority of the time they are sitting in plugs unused. 

When remodeling your home, try to install energy efficient windows, doors and insulation. Adding polyiso insulation to your home can significantly reduce your energy consumption. You can also design additions and new spaces with plenty of natural light to reduce the need for other lighting sources during the day. 

Keep the thermostat set at a fixed temperature to maintain energy use. Contact your local energy provider for recommendations. 

Hang clothes to dry rather than using the dryer. 

Use environmentally friendly cleaning products and pesticides in your home and garden. 

Replace light bulbs with Compact Fluorescent bulbs to reduce energy consumption. Be sure to dispose of them properly, per the products guidelines. 

Use cloth, reusable bags for grocery shopping, and if you must use plastic bags, recycle them back at the store. 

Install ceiling fans instead of running the air conditioning all summer long. 

 Plant a tree in your yard!