For more things you can do for the environment, go to
www.walklightly.org.
5 WAYS TO
LEAVE A
LIGHTER
FOOTPRINT
1. Demand Organic
2. Reuse shopping bags
3. Switch to fluorescent light bulbs
Students for a Sustainable Earth (SSE)- WMU
www.rso.wmich.edu/sse
The information in this brochure was obtained from http://www.voiceyourself.com.
4. Stop junk mail
5. Use rechargeable batteries
Demand Organic!
Use Rechargeable Batteries
When you buy certified organic food and products, your dollars cast
a vote for a healthier planet. A product identified as "organic" must
be USDA certified.
Replace alkaline batteries with rechargeables (nickelcadium).
Deadly heavy metals, mercury and cadmium, from batteries are
leaching a major source of contamination in our landfills and when
incinerated, contaminate our air.
Look for the label
When you buy certified organic food and products, your dollars cast
a vote for a healthier planet because of organic agricultural and
processing practices. A product identified as "organic" must be
USDA certified
"100% Organic" means all ingredients are organic.
" Organic " means 95% are organics.
" Made with organics," means at least 70% are organic.
Organic foods taste good and are good for you
They are produced without use of Genetically Modified Organisms
(GMOs), harmful pesticides, hormones, synthetics or antibiotics.
Reduces health risks to you and your children
Children receive four times the exposure than an adult to at least
eight widely used cancer-causing pesticides in food. The food
choice you make now will impact your child's health in the future.
Many EPA-approved pesticides were registered long before
extensive research linked these chemicals to cancer and other
diseases. Now, the EPA considers 60% of all herbicides, 90% of all
fungicides, and 30% of all insecticides as potentially cancer
causing.
The more we buy, the less it costs
Organic farming is the fastest growing segment of US agriculture
with sales rising 20% a year.
There is a 30% growth in the number of organic acres each year
It is environmentally friendly
Organic farming uses scientific understanding of ecology and soil
science. Organics do not rely on synthetic fertilizers, they build
their soil through natural amenities, such as composted manure,
and by planting diverse crops. The diversity of crops increases soil
fertility as well as diversity of organisms.
Recycle alkaline batteries if you can
They can extract the mercury and cadmium for reuse. The amount
of mercury used in batteries annually is more than 4 times what
the government allows in our landfills.
Call your local sanitation department
When your batteries do quit or to dispose of your alkaline batteries
call your local sanitation department or find closest recycling center
at http://www.rbrc.org.
Stop Junk Mail
Personal junk mail uses 1 1/2 trees per year or about 100 million
U.S. trees annually. America's daily consumption of junk mail could
produce enough energy to heat a quarter of a million homes.
A life of junk free mail is possible. It can be as easy as sending in a
letter, a post card, an email, or making a phone call to the source.
Be persistent and it may take about 3 months to see results.
Don't give personal information to telemarketers or other
freebie gimmicks
and ask to be removed from their list.
Don't sign-up for free vacations
or other freebie gimmicks. Every time you give your name and
address out, someone collects that information because it's worth 3
to 20 cents every time they sell it. When you do provide your
information, include in legible writing; "Do not rent, trade, sell or
give away my name, address, or phone number."
Reuse the envelopes
You can also reuse envelopes with the glassine address window by
placing a mailing label over it
Recycle the junk mail you receive
Contact mail solicitors directly
Call mail solicitors and ask to be removed from their mailing lists.
You can also reduce the amount of junk mail you receive by 75%
by writing to:
Mail Preference Service
Direct Marketing Association,
11 West 42nd St
PO Box 3861
New York, NY
10163-3861
Go to http://www.newdream.org/junkmail for more you can do.
Preserves biodiversity
Organic farming recognizes the value of preserving a diversity of
seed varieties. Many growers have been collecting and using
heirloom seed varieties for decades. On the other hand, many
conventional farms still grow hybridized vegetables and fruits, bred
for uniformity, ease of shipping and cosmetic appearance. Such
practices ignore the value of preserving a more balanced
ecosystem.
Protects water quality
Organics eliminates polluting chemicals and nitrogen from leaching
into the soil.
What’s good for the land is good for farmers and workers
20,000 farm workers die each year form exposure to chemicals.
Buy locally and seasonally
It is fresher, tastier and more nutritious. The less miles your
favorite food travels from field to table the fewer resources are
used. Eating seasonal foods within your geographic area will
support your health and the local farmers
Get to know the natural food stores in your neighborhood
Some conventional markets are now devoting small sections to
organics... but read labels carefully. Natural food stores are
popping up everywhere these days. Find them.
Consider supporting Community Supported Agriculture
(CSAs) In your area
Foods will be at peak of ripeness, flavor, vitamin and mineral
content. Check it out carefully. Not all are organic. Check out these
links for starters:


www.localharvest.org
www.csacenter.org
It places great emphasis on animal welfare
When you choose to eat less meat you reduce burden on food
production on the earth. Go to Vegan Outreach’s site
(www.veganoutreach.org) to learn more.
When eating out, consider patronizing restaurants that
support organic farmers in your area
Check out www.chefscollaborative.org, a national network of more
than 1000 members of the food community who promote
sustainable cuisine.
Reuse Shopping Bags!
"I went to the store. I bought a wastebasket. The cashier put it in a
bag. I brought it home. I took it out of the bag. I crumpled up the
bag and tossed it in the wastebasket." –Lily Tomlin
For small purchases do without a bag
This alone could save hundreds of millions of bags
Stop using plastic bags
They are made from petroleum products and tend to end up in the
dumpster or blocking drains, choking wildlife. The are not
biodegradable, even if they say they are they do not decompose
fully. Also the ink is made up of cadmium, and is highly toxic when
it is released.
Bring a cloth sack or string bag when you shop
Paper bags are reusable and biodegradable, however many
supermarkets use paper that has never been recycled. However
supermarkets use paper that has never been recycled before and
they always say "recyclable" not "recycled".
Switch to Fluorescent Light Bulbs!
Incandescent bulbs consume 20% of all electricity produced in the
U.S. Compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) burn cooler, last 10 times
longer, use 75% less energy than conventional incandescents and
are now available in a variety of shapes and wattages.
Fluorescent bulbs save you money
Even though fluorescents initially are more expensive (around $15)
lifetime use will cost you less. It will take 13 traditional bulbs to
last for the same amount of time. Furthermore, a fluorescent light
will cost you $10 for electricity during its lifetime, whereas
incandescents will cost about $40.
Better for the environment
A fluorescent bulb, over its lifetime, saves a 1,000 pounds of
carbon dioxide from entering our atmosphere.
Save even more energy with dimmable CFLs
If 100 million American households used ONE fluorescent light
bulb, it would save the same energy generated by a nuclear power
plant for a year.
When the fluorescents do burn out be sure to recycle as
they contain trace amounts of mercury