After discussing home efficiency and less home waste with friends, these are things I will attempt to implement into our lives.
- when leaving for vacation, turn off all power at water heater and circuit breaker except refrigerator
- use only existing bags to bring home new goods, such as fabric bags for pasta or jars for peanut butter
- more holiday crafts with materials at home, such as corn husk dolls or homemade laundry detergent
- more meals with home canned staples (Hello, tomato soup and pizza on homemade bread!)
- list of sustainable ideas from http://www.clackamas.us/docs/sustainability/2010selfassess.pdf
- shower less than five minutes each day
- turn off computer when away half hour
- send emails instead of paper
- reuse and refill products
- teleconference instead of commute
- lunch with reusable containers and utensils (and napkin)
- at gatherings, provide reusable containers, utensils, and healthy local food
- smaller home with energy efficient appliances and bulbs
- 68 degree or lower in home without air conditioning
- weatherized house with tight caulking, windows, and sufficient insulation
- buy 100% green power or provide your own
- all native plants in yard without any chemicals
- little or no grass to mow
- no watering in yard and plenty of drought resistant plants
- collect and use rain water
- bike, walk
- vegetarian or eat some local organic meats
- recycle and compost
- "Use everything until you wear it out, repair it, or give it away to others; buy in bulk; consider the packaging in your purchase decision"
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