Set sprinklers to water the lawn or garden only - not the street or sidewalk.
Use the microwave to cook small meals. (It uses less power than an oven.)
Purchase "Green Power" for your home's electricity. (Contact your power supplier to see where and if it is available.)
Scrape, rather than rinse, dishes before loading into the dishwasher; wash only full loads.
Cut back on air conditioning and heating use if you can.
Turn off appliances and lights when you leave the room.
The Sustainable Furniture Council suggests asking these questions the next time you buy furniture:
1. Where does the wood come from?
Look for wood legally harvested from responsibly managed forests.
2. Is the wood certified by a third party?
Some groups monitor standards for environmental sensitivity. Examples include the Forest Stewardship Council and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative.
3. Is the manufacturer working to reduce energy use?
Look for companies that are working to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
4. Where was this furniture made?
You know about reducing "carbon miles" for your food. Consider it for your furniture, as well. Seek out products made close to home, using raw materials from within 500 miles.
5. Were any high Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's) finishes used on this product?
VOC's are harmful pollutants from certain types of wood finishes such as varnishes and lacquers that are released during the manufacturing process and into your home. Water-based finishes are the best choice for low or no VOCs.
