Conservation Tips
Did You Know?
- In the average home, 75% of the electricity used to power home electronics is used while the products are turned off.
- Many appliances continue to draw a small amount of power when they are switched off (i.e. televisions, stereos, computers, and kitchen appliances).
- Laptops use much less energy than desktop computers-so consider investing in one for your next computer purchase.
- Screen savers DON’T reduce energy use by monitors; automatic switching to sleep mode or manually turning the monitor off is always the better energy-saving strategy.
- Studies have shown that using rechargeable batteries for products like cordless phones and PDAs is more cost effective than throwaway batteries.
- You can use the cool-down cycle to allow clothes to finish drying with the residual heat in the dryer.
- Freezing takes 10 times more energy so buy fresh fruits and veggies instead of frozen.
- Glass and metal are cleaner to recycle and have longer recycle lives than plastic-so avoid plastic whenever possible.
Tips for the Dorm/Home
- Plug home electronics (such as laptops, televisions and DVD players) into power strips that can be turned off or turn off automatically when not in use.
- Air-dry clothes on drying racks or clotheslines instead of using the dryer.
- Use a handkerchief/hand towel instead of tissues/paper towels.
- Take quicker showers and turn the water off while soaping.
- Turn off water while brushing teeth/shaving/etc.
- Only run the dishwasher when full.
- Air dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher’s drying cycle.
- Reuse paper on the backside.
- Turn off the lights whenever you leave a room.
- Install a programmable thermostat (it can save you up to $100 a year on your energy bill).
- Cleaning the lint filter on the dryer after every load improves air circulation.
- Using compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) in place of comparable incandescent bulbs can save up to 50% on lighting costs. CFLs use only ¼ of the energy and last up to ten times longer than other light bulbs.
Tips for Food
- Start a compost bin and try to never throw out compostable food scraps.
- Bring your own Tupperware to restaurants for leftovers.
- Use your own reusable bags when grocery shopping.
- Bring your own mug/thermos for coffee, tea, and other drinks instead of using disposable cups.
- Never let food spoil-it’s just a waste!
- Buy local/organic food whenever possible.
- Avoid purchasing food with lots of packaging waste.
- Carry your own water (nalgene) instead of buying bottled water.
- Save jars from the kitchen to make your own spice rack.
- If you don’t already have can/bottle/paper recycling in your home or building-start one!
Tips for Transportation
- Ride your bike/walk as often as possible.
- If you can’t ride your bike or walk try to use public transportation.
- Sell your car and buy an efficient, low emission vehicle.
- Carpool as often as possible.
- Keeping your car tires properly inflated will allow you to use less gas.
- Plan your errand route better so that you drive less.
General Tips
- Reuse paper on the backside.
- Print only when necessary and print on both sides of the paper.
- Start an OCS bin for you/your office to re-use paper (OCS stands for one-side clean paper).
- Never leave a light on in a room you leave empty.
- Buy recycled paper products such as paper, toilet paper and paper towels.
- Only run your dishwasher when it is full.
- Install low flow toilets and low flow showerheads in your house, or put a water saving device in your toilet tank.
- Switch to biodegradable/organic soaps shampoos and toothpastes.
- Upgrade to more energy efficient appliances.
- Set your thermostat 2 degrees cooler in the winter and 2 degrees higher in the summer.
- Recycle, recycle, recycle!