In addition to the usual paper / plastic / glass / aluminum curb-side recycling, our employees and their families take responsibility for our environment in a surprising number of innovative and resourceful ways. They…
• Compost. One of our employees actually has a compost pile measuring 15' x 15' x 3'.
• Wrap water heaters.
• Recycle batteries. One of us started a neighborhood battery recycling effort that now includes 10 homes and another recycles all batteries brought to our office.
• Recycle fluorescent bulbs.
• Purchase electricity from wind farms.
• Switch from incandescent to compact fluorescent light bulbs.
• Avoid buying “Dry Clean Only” clothes.
• Wash clothes in cold water.
• Plant trees.
• Help establish neighborhood collection of toxic wastes.
• Purchase only ENERGY STAR rated appliances.
• Register their yard with the National Wildlife Federation as a Certified Wildlife Habitat™.
• Replace old, single-paned windows with new, energy-efficient, double-paned windows.
• Use a reel lawn mower (no gas or electricity).
• Install motion and daylight sensors on outdoor lights.
• Take their own, reusable bags when shopping.
• Grow their own fruits and vegetables; often the seeds are from store-bought produce, including avocado, grapefruit, lemon, pineapple, pumpkin, squash, tomato, cucumber, green beans, watermelon, eggplant, zucchini, lettuce, swiss chard, and peppers.
• Carpool and bicycle to work.
• Re-use water bottles.
• Use low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints.
• Use task, rather than room, lighting.
• Switch to non-phosphate-containing detergents and biodegradable cleaning products.
• Install programmable thermostats or manually manage heating and cooling on a daily basis.
• Work with and support a local conservation commission.
• Aid elderly neighbors in recycling.
• Encourage friends to adopt many of these practices, too. |