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WANT A GREENER NEW YEAR? HERE'S WHERE TO START

Posted on 12.26.07
By: OGC.com

As thoughts turn to a new year – and the resolutions that come with it – here are the Top Ten Green Resolutions courtesy of the California Department of Conservation:

1. Look for Recycling Opportunities: With 2.8 million water bottles alone going into the trash each day in California, every container you recycle makes a difference. Call your city or county recycling program or visit www.bottlesandcans.com to learn more.
2. Ask for Recycling By Name: If you ask for recycling opportunities, youll get them (its easier than you think). At the office? Start an office-wide recycling campaign, or put a bin next to your trash can for beverage containers and paper. Call 1-800-RECYCLE or visit www.bottlesandcans.com to learn more.
3. Remember the Other Important "Rs" - Reduce and Reuse: Help to lessen the amount of waste by buying items that use little or no packaging, or "buying in bulk" which reduces unnecessary and excessive packaging. Also, find ways to use items over and over again, such as refilling a water bottle.
4. Buy Products Made From Recycled Materials: Resolve to "buy green" by purchasing at least one recycled-content product on a regular basis, such as paper towels or computer paper.
5. Make Your Home a Toxic-Free Environment: Keep your home healthy by reducing unnecessary toxic chemicals. Did you know baking soda and vinegar substitute as great all-purpose cleaners? Other non-toxic household cleaners can be found at many stores.
6. Get Out of the Car One Day a Week: Resolve to spare the air. Carpool, use public transportation or bicycle. Using alternative transportation a day or two a week is manageable, and getting out from behind the wheel can be relaxing.
7. Start a Compost Pile to Feed Your Garden: Convert those yard clippings and vegetable peelings and even coffee grounds into natures fertilizer for your garden. Home composters can be found at most home and garden centers. Call your city or county for more information or visit www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Organics/HomeComp to learn about composting at home. 
8. Enjoy the Great Outdoors: Visit a local, state or national park. Take some time to appreciate Californias world-class natural areas. Get to know some of the parks in your area and beyond.
9. Go Local - Volunteer in Your Community: Resolve to improve your hometown environment. Sign up for the local clean-up day, tree-planting effort or community garden. Take your kids to a neighborhood creek restoration effort to show them what an ecosystem is all about.
10. Conserve Energy: Cut your monthly energy bills 30 percent by replacing old equipment in your home with state-of-the-art Energy Star products. Get going on those energy-efficient home improvements youve been putting off all year. Turn off lights when you leave a room and keep the thermostat at 70 degrees or lower in cold weather months, 78 degrees or higher in the warm weather months. For more year-round energy saving tips, visit smud.org.