TOP GREEN RESOLUTIONS FOR 2009

Work to reduce your carbon footprint: Use compact florescent light bulbs, ride your bike or take public transportation whenever possible, turn your heat down two degrees, make your home as energy efficient as possible, buy energy efficient appliances, turn off lights and electronics when they’re not in use.

Conserve water: Install a low-flow shower head, turn off water when brushing your teeth or while scrubbing dishes, xeriscape with native plants that require less water, use a high efficiency washing machine.

Avoid harsh chemicals: Buy local, organic food, use environmentally-friendly, biodegradable cleaners, do not use pesticides or herbicides, use natural personal care products, wear clothing made from organic or sustainable products.

Support wildlife conservation: Do not purchase products containing palm oil, follow “Leave No Trace” ethics when enjoying outdoor activities, support habitat conservation, participate in clean-up activities, purchase sustainably-harvested wood products, look for companies that support the environment, donate old cell phones at Denver Zoo to support species conservation programs, drink shade grown, organic coffee, visit Denver Zoo!

Reduce: Do not purchase items that use excessive packaging, take re-usable shopping bags to stores, be a conscious consumer.

Re-use: Craigslist, Habitat for Humanity home stores, thrift stores, and other outlets provide the opportunity to make use of products that someone else no longer needs. Purchase recycled products.

Recycle: Donate items that you no longer need, recycle electronics that no longer work, take advantage of community recycling days in your community to get rid of items like paint and batteries, purchase clothing from companies like Patagonia that will recycle those items when they’re worn out, do not put plastic bags, glass, metal, plastics, paper, or anything else that can be recycled in a landfill.

Water Conservation Inside the House

• Turn off the water when brushing your teeth
• Turn off the water when washing your hands
• Limit your shower to five minutes (To really save water, you can turn off the water in your shower while you soap up and then turn it back on to rinse off).
• If you do not already have a water efficient toilet, you can place a glass jar filled with water in the tank of your toilet. Now, every time you flush, you save an amount of water equal to that in the jar. Pickle and salsa jars work well.
• Only run the dishwasher when you have a full load
• Only use the washing machine when you have a full load

• If you plan to water your garden, trees or lawn, do so in the evening when temperatures are cooler and evaporation rates lower*. Watering in the evening will help reduce water loss to evaporation.
• Mulching flower beds and around the base of trees will help to hold moisture for plants.
• Aerating your lawn helps to increase water absorption by the soil.
• When cutting your grass, set your mower to the highest setting. This will leave the grass longer providing more shade for the soil and helping retain moisture.

• Turn off the lights when you leave the room.
• Use cold water when washing clothes. This conserves natural gas used by your water heater.
• Turn down the thermostat before going to bed.
• Turn down the thermostat when leaving on a trip
• Consider installing solar panels on your house
• During the summer, opening the windows in the evening will help to cool the house and reduce the need for air conditioning.
• Planting trees around the house will provide shade, after several years, for the house and help to keep the house cool during the summer.**

** Check with your local nursery to see which trees they recommend planting. If possible plant native species that are adapted for semi-arid environment.

Recycling

• Participate in community curbside recycling programs
• Buy recyclable products
• Take recyclables to recycling facilities (recycling facilities take more items than curbside programs)
• Buy recycled products

• Ride your bike, or walk to work
• Use mass transit (bus or train) to travel to work
• If possible, car pool to work
• Combine multiple errands into one trip to reduce your amount of driving
• Keep you car well maintained
• Consider purchasing smaller more fuel efficient vehicle
• Consider purchasing hybrid fuel vehicle*

• Recycle office paper. Encourage employer to start recycling program if one is not currently available
• Turn off computer at the end of the day to save electricity.
• Turn off lights when leaving office.