Reduce carbon usage at home and work by reusing and recycling

To better care for the Earth, follow these suggestions:

• Reduce solid waste—Increase your recycling of glass, plastics, aluminum, Styrofoam and newspapers. Don’t buy or use Styrofoam products. Purchase products made from recycled materials.
• Reduce hot water during showers—Install low-flow shower heads in bathrooms. Shorten your shower time to five minutes.
• Reduce water use in the kitchen—Cut back on the use of your electric dishwasher weekly. Don’t leave water running in the sink.
• Reduce clothes washing and drying—Wear clothes longer before washing. Use towels several times before washing. Hang clothes and towels outside on a clothesline to dry when possible.
• Reduce heating costs—Turn down the thermostat when gone and at night. Lower the heat setting to between 65 and 68 degrees when at home by wearing sweaters. Service the furnace yearly. Change the furnace filter regularly. Inspect and insulate ducts.
• Reduce electricity leaks—Turn appliances and electronics all the way off and unplug them when possible.
• Reduce air leaks—Put plugs in unused electric sockets. Seal leaks on windows and doors or install energy-efficient windows and doors.
• Reduce cooling costs—Replace or clean the air conditioner filter. Service the air conditioner yearly. Raise the air conditioner thermostat four degrees. Turn off the air conditioner and open windows with screens for fresh air in the house.
• Reduce gasoline usage—Plan your car trips and errands efficiently. Service your car regularly. Keep the tires properly inflated.
• Reduce use of packaged food—Buy fresh foods, which help you eat healthier.
• Reduce use of hot water—Set the water heater temperature at 120 degrees. Insulate the water heater. Wash clothes on the cold water cycle.
• Reduce electricity usage in lighting—Install compact fluorescent light bulbs, which last up to 10 times longer and use a quarter of the energy of incandescent light bulbs. Turn off lights when not in use.
• Reduce energy leakage—Insulate your home’s outside walls and attic. Clean the refrigerator vents.
• Reduce chemical use in your home and yard—Use vinegar to clean windows. Pull weeds in the grass and garden instead of using pesticides. Use a push mower and leave grass clippings on the lawn, which adds nutrients to the soil. Compost garbage and use as mulch for your garden and flower beds.
• Reduce product use at work—Use a china cup or glass instead of disposable containers. Recycle all disposable containers.
• People can reduce electricity usage by installing compact fluorescent light bulbs, which last up to 10 times longer and use a quarter of the energy of incandescent light bulbs.
• Reduce energy use at work—Use heating and air conditioning moderately. Don’t hold doors open.
• Reduce waste in the community—Educate others about caring for the Earth by sharing this environmental information with family, friends and co-workers.

(Environmental tips are excerpted from the Low Carbon Diet–A 30 Day Program to Lose 5,000 Pounds by David Gershon, published by the Empowerment Institute in Woodstock, N.Y., as well as product information brochures and several “green” Web sites.) †

(See related story: Caring for the Earth: Serve God, Save the Planet author calls for action)