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~ Turn the lights off when you leave the room
~ Turn the water off while you are brushing your teeth
~ Water your lawn early in the morning (6:00 am to 8:00 am) or in the evening (7:00 pm to 9:00 pm) to reduce evaporation of water during summer hours
~ Use low water pressure as this reduces water consumption exponentially
~ Wash your vehicle on the grass (please remove it when you are finished)
~ Only run your dishwasher when it is full. Choose the short cycle at low water levels whenever possible
~ Use phosphate free detergent for your laundry and your dishwasher
~ Switch to low flow toilets (tax credits are available for retro-fits)
~ Hang your clothes to dry if you have the opportunity
~ Walk to get your mail
~ Replace incandescence light bulbs with environmentally-friendly compact fluorescent lamps or light bulbs (CFL's)
~ Replace paper towels/napkins with a set of cloth towels and wash accordingly
~ Purchase bleach free toilet paper that is made from the highest post-consumer waste content available
~ Create and use note pads from paper that has only been used on one side
~ Leave messages for family members, friends and colleagues on a reusable message board using vegetable based inks or use email
~ Cancel your subscriptions and order your newspaper, magazines, phone bills, gas bills, etc. online. If this is not possible, request it, with the goal to expect it in the future.
~ Avoid creating trash wherever possible; avoid receiving any unnecessary plastic utensils, straws, condiment packages and state this in advance. For instance, buy ice cream in a cone instead of a cup
~ Don't accept "free" promotional products
~ Reduce junk mail:
• http://www.junkbusters.com/nonusa.html#canada
~ Fill your yard with native plants. This will cut down significantly on watering requirements and provide much needed food and shelter to local wildlife
~ Mulch your grass, this will convert cut grass into a natural fertilizer
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