Simple Ways to Make Your Consumer Choices Work
For a Sustainable World
Ways to Decrease Carbon Emissions from Driving
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Leave your vehicle in the driveway at least one day per week.
Choose alternatives such as carpooling, walking, taking the bus, riding a bike.
Combine errands so you only have to make one round-trip per day.
Keep your vehicle maintained including regular tune-ups and proper tire pressure—
less than 10% of vehicles contribute over 50% of the hydrocarbon emissions from
motor vehicles.
Slow Down & Drive Smart—the optimum highway speed is 55-65 mph. Driving in
this range can increase fuel efficiency up to 20%; avoid idling, jackrabbit starts, and
accelerating to stop lights.
Take vacations close to home.
Ways to Offset Carbon Emissions
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There are organizations that offset carbon emissions for individuals, families and
businesses. You can calculate the amount of carbon emissions you generate from car
use, heating, and electricity, and there is an assigned dollar amount that will cover
that organization’s work to offset it. They do this through restoration projects,
supporting renewable energy and energy efficiency programs.
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Example: Native Energy (www.nativeenergy.com) supports wind power projects on
tribal land and in Alaska native villages.
Energy Conservation
Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs:
 Bulbs use 75% less energy — saving you money
 Save more than $25 in energy costs over the life of the bulb
 Last up to 10 times longer
 Operate at cooler temps – increasing indoor comfort
 Produce the same attractive light as incandescent bulbs
 Instantly start up and do not flicker or hum
 NOTE: when disposing of fluorescent bulbs, do not throw them in the trashcan; take
them to a hazardous waste facility in your community.
Phantom Electrical Use:
 Notice all the little green and red lights in your home and office. Those small lights
constantly use electricity; this adds up to a substantial amount of energy use each
year.
 Connect all computer apparatus to a power strip; at the end of the day, turn off the
power strip.
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Plug household electrical appliances (including the TV) into a power strip. Turn off
the power strip when not using the appliance.
Water Conservation Strategies
When on travel, request that hotel linens and towels not be washed every day.
Rebates for Water Conservation:
 Some governments offer rebates for conservation.
 Example: The city of Flagstaff offers $100 rebates for installing a low-flow toilet,
washing machines, and hot water re-circulators.
Rain Barrels:
 Some governments make rain barrels available for a small cost.
 Example: $35 per rain barrel at the Flagstaff waste tire yard. Call 928-526-2735 for
details. These rain barrels hook to your gutter and work great for watering gardens.
 Cover rain barrels with a screen to prevent mosquitoes from breeding in the barrel.
Ways to Reduce Waste
Compost kitchen and yard waste
 Composting is an integral part of recycling.
 Approximately 25% of all household refuse consists of organic material.
 You can buy or build a compost bin.
 Avoid putting meat scraps in the compost bin so it does not attract dogs and skunks.
Reduce packaging
 Whenever possible, buy food and household supplies in larger quantities.
 Avoid individually wrapped food items.
Websites for More Ideas and Things You Can Do
www.eere.energy.gov/ (DOE: energy efficiency, renewable energy, green energy)
www.fueleconomy.gov/ (DOE/EPA: fuel efficiency, alternative fuels)
www.nativeforest.org/stop_junk_mail/nfn_junk_mail_guide.htm (reduce junk mail)
www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/recycle/ecycling/donate.htm (recycle e-waste)
www.greendisk.com (recycle technotrash from CDs to PCs)
earth911.org/ (includes recycling electronic waste)
http://noimpactman.typepad.com
www.fakeplasticfish.com
c3.newdream.org/blog/ (carbon-conscious consumer)
www.panda.org/how_you_can_help/at_home/
www.justgive.org/html/guide/50waysenvironment.html
www.sierraclub.org/globalwarming/tenthings/
www.stopglobalwarming.org/sgw_actionitems.asp
www.climatecrisis.net/takeaction/whatyoucando/
lighterfootstep.com/
www.thegoodhuman.com/2007/12/18/seventy-five-ways-to-conserve-water/
www.thegoodhuman.com/2007/10/30/35-low-cost-ways-to-green-your-lifestyle/
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