Going green is easy with these tips!
Spring Gardening Tips >>
Winter Heating Tips >>
Easy Ways to Go Green >>
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Recycling Resources
Ohio
National
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Enjoy a Green Summer
- Reduce harmful emissions and get some excercise by using a push mower instead of a gas lawnmower.
- Buy local produce at a farmers' market. Find one in Ohio at www.OhioProud.org.
- Use organice lawn care products.
- Hold and shop a garage sale. Reusing items keeps them out of landfills.
- To avoid DEET in bug repellants, look for animal-based products.
- When hiking or biking, take a small bag to pick up litter along your way. Remember to "pack in, pack out."
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Water Conservation Tips
- Turn off the water while brushing your teeth and save 25 gallons a month.
- Install an inexpensive, water-efficient showerhead. You can save up to 750 gallons a month.
- Use a broom and dustpan instead of a hose to clean your driveway and sidewalk. You’ll save water and debris won’t end up in gutters.
- Wash your car on the lawn, and you'll water your lawn at the same time and save dirty water from going into storm drains.
- Use cold water to wash all your clothes, even whites! Cold water washes just as well and saves water and energy – which can save you money.
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Spring Gardening Tips
Start an herb garden
Benefits: Fresh herbs at your fingertips; save money and prevent waste by using only what you need.
How to: Plant a window box or small pot outside your kitchen. You’ll need a planter, soil, herbs, water, and scissors. Hardy choices to start with are chives, rosemary, basil, and thyme. Find used planters or pots at garage sales. Ask a gardening friend for leftover planting soil.
Begin a compost bin
Benefits: Less trash in your garbage and landfills; great fertilizer for your garden.
How to: You can compost inside or out. For inside, use an odor-proof bin. These are widely available at most home improvement or garden stores. Outside, start a pile near your garden or in an inconspicuous area. Alternate layers of meat-free food scraps (peels, cores, seeds) and garden waste (leaves, twigs) to help turn waste into nutrient-rich compost.
Make a rain barrel
Benefits: Save water from going into storm drains; repurpose rainwater to water your indoor plants.
How to: Position a sturdy, waterproof bucket under a gutter runoff or simply leave it outdoors during a rain storm. Use the water to quench your indoor plants throughout the week.
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Winter heating tips
- Install a programmable thermostat. Many cost less than $50 and come pre-programmed for weekday/weekend schedules.
- Turn down all thermostats one degree to save as much as 3 percent on your monthly heating bill.
- Close draperies at night and on cloudy days; open them on sunny days.
- Seal doors and windows with draft-reducing weather stripping and door sweeps.
- Replace furnace filters regularly.
- Lower the water heater thermostat to the lowest level that meets your needs. Each decrease of 10 degrees saves 5 percent on water heating costs.
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Easy Ways to Go Green
- Take reusable bags when you shop - at the grocery story, drug store, even department stores! If you must use paper or plastic, ask for whichever one you will reuse again.
- Use an earth-friendly water bottle rather than plastic bottles. You'll save money too!
- Take a travel mug to the coffee shop. Park and go inside. You'll get more exercise, not use a paper cup, and eliminate fumes from an idling car.
- Opt-out of receiving printed phone directories. Go to YellowPagesGoesGreen.org.
- Green your online purchases. Visit GreenAnySite.com.
- Make your website carbon neutral at Co2Stats.com.
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