Easy Ways to Go Green at Home

Use compact fluorescent bulbs, which last longer and use less energy than regular bulbs.

Do not leave computers on all night.

Unplug appliances and electronics when not in use.

Unplug cell phone charger when charging is complete.

Use natural light rather than electric whenever possible.

Pull down window shades at night in the winter and during the day in the summer.

Buy inexpensive mugs and plates that you can wash rather than disposable ones and avoid over-packaged takeout food.

Reuse envelopes, advertisements, and previously used paper for notes.

Buy a water filter and refill a reusable container instead of buying cases of bottled water.

Share magazines and books.

Take shorter showers; don't run the water before getting in, and turn off the water when lathering.

Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth and shaving.

Take care of leaky faucets and showerheads by fixing them or reporting them to your landlord

Only wash full loads of laundry.

Wash your clothes in cold water.

Air dry whenever possible.

Use recycled paper.

Take notes on both sides of paper.

If it's OK with your professor or teacher, hand in assignments by printing on both sides of the page.

Unless you're handicapped, don't use automatic handicap doors.

When you print or photocopy, use both sides of each sheet of paper.

Save pages that you've printed and use the backs to print out drafts and other things you don't have to turn in.

When possible, use your printer's low-quality setting to save ink.

Bookmark Web pages instead of printing them for research.

Edit on screen, not on paper.

Use e-mail to minimize paper use.

Eat locally grown foods.

Carry a reusable cup or water bottle. Some water bottles come with built-in filters if you're worried about the quality of the tap water.

Limit the use of paper napkins.

Only take what you will eat to limit food waste.

Dispose of waste in the correct container.

Carry a tote bag for shopping so you don't have to use a plastic bag.

Purchase durable rather than disposable products.

If you get a plastic bag, reuse it.

Go vintage. Buying used clothing saves money, decreases the use of resources to make clothing, and puts a dent in the problem of sweatshops.

Also buy used furniture and books.

Use nontoxic, biodegradable art supplies.

Replace oil-based paints with water-based paints.

Modify spray-painting techniques to minimize over-spraying.

Use biodegradable, nontoxic cleaners.

Minimize use of cleaning solvents for brush cleaning by reusing dirty solvents for first rinse and fresh solvents for final rinse only.