REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE TO SAVE ENERGY AND CONSERVE RESOURCES!

REDUCE

• At home, use the garbage disposal sparingly. When you compost vegetable food waste, you’re conserving and using less water.
• Appliances such as your TV, DVD player, cell phone charger, etc. consume energy just by being plugged in. Unplug them when you are not using them.
• Use a lunch box or insulated cooler for lunch instead of a paper or plastic sack.
• In the cafeteria, take only what you plan to use and eat. This includes food, paper napkins, condiment packets, straws, plastic drink tops, and other disposable items.
• If you buy drinks while on the road, bring your own mug or container and/or patronize places that provide refillable containers.
• Copy articles double-sided when possible and request double-sided printing at copy centers
• In libraries, only make copies of materials that you really need, and use machines properly to avoid misprints (this saves you money too).
• Save files and e-mails electronically, and don't print out a hard copy of everything.
• Use as much natural light as possible. If you use indoor lights, switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). If you are stepping out of a room for more than 15 minutes, turn off the lights.
• Simplify your life as much as possible. Keep only those belongings that you use and enjoy on a regular basis. Think before you buy - do you really need it? Try the seven-day rule: wait a week after you make a decision to buy something to eliminate impulse buying.
• Carpool to school, athletic events, shopping to reduce your energy consumption (and save gas money and wear and tear on your automobile).

REUSE

• Turn trash into crafts. Use popsicle sticks, newspapers, used office paper, and other reused materials for craft projects.
• Bring home sandwich baggies and other plastic bags to be washed out and re-used.
• Use and reuse sponges and dishcloths instead of paper towels (you can sanitize sponges in the microwave or dishwasher).
• Reuse the plastic tabs from bread bags as picks for playing the guitar or bingo chips.
• Reuse boxes, bubble wrap, and packing "peanuts" for shipping things.
• Avoid excessive packaging, try to buy items with recycled packaging.
• Use cardboard boxes or cloth bags instead of plastic shopping bags.
• If you use plastic shopping bags, reuse them, then recycle them.
• Buy vintage clothing to reduce waste.
• Many restaurants offer choices for utensils, plates, and cups. If you are eating in, use the real silverware, cups and plates. If you are taking food out, bring your own silverware to use, and buy drinks in recyclable containers instead of paper or plastic cups (or carry your own mug.)
• Use reusable products whenever possible: food and beverage containers and shopping bags, for example.
• Hold a garage sale…and shop at one as well.
• Donate your old clothing to charity.
• Donate your old computer to a community or senior citizens center.
• Use both sides of each piece of paper for note taking or printing. Create note pads by stapling together once used paper.
• Organize a school or community swap sale.
• Buy recycled products (paper, for example).
• When you replace your cell phone, pass it on to new users.

RECYCLE

• Set an eco-friendly trend with recycled notebook paper.
• Rather than throwing away unused clothing and items that are in good shape, consider donating them to your local church, Goodwill, or other charity.
• If your school doesn't have a recycling program, bring home items that you can recycle at home, such as cans, plastic bottles, cardboard, etc.
• Encourage your family and friends to recycle…at home and away from home.
• Start a compost pile for food scraps and yard waste.
• Leave grass clippings on the lawn as fertilizer.
• Use rechargeable batteries or recycle your used batteries.
• Recycle your computer equipment, including your printer’s ink cartridges.