Your Green Page

Homespace

Tips to make your home greener and more environmentally friendly.

Workplace

Things that you and your company can do to be nicer to Mother Nature.

World-wide

Learn about the effects our actions have on the world around us.

Nature & Nutrition

Resources to help provide your family with healthy food.

Recycling 101

Information you can use to re-use the products you consume.

Getting Started

Ready to really go green? We’ve got simple tips to get you on your way.

Share the Wealth

If you are already helping to make the world a little greener, share your tips.

Activate!

Know what the government and businesses are up to and let your voice be heard!

Spring Forward (Outdoors)

Yesterday we talked about the daylight savings rituals worth undertaking inside your residence. Today we shift our focus to outdoor tasks, as you prepare for warmer months ahead.

Begin by turning on the outdoor faucets and allowing them to run for a few minutes. Place a large bucket under the spigot so the runoff isn’t wasted. Use this as a time to get clear water running through the pipes. It’s also a good time for a careful walking tour of the outside of your home. Pay special attention to railings, decks, chimneys, windows and the façade, looking for places that have suffered winter damage. Finally, eliminate any hazardous items that could be harmful to children, such as downed tree limbs or broken entrances to swimming areas.

To see previous Green Space updates, click here.

Environmentally-friendly facts of interest about the world we live in!

In cold weather months avoid sitting near windows. They are effective at drawing heat from people and actually make you feel colder!
According to the National Restaurant Association, 70% of consumers are more likely to visit restaurants that serve locally grown food.
Every ton of paper that is recycled saves 17 trees.
Crude oil makes up just over a third of the world’s primary energy production; renewable energy accounts for barely 1%.

When it’s time to purchase new appliances, look for the Energy Star label. For appliances to earn Energy Star certification they need to meet specific standards established by the EPA and Department of Energy. In the meantime here are some things you can easily do with your existing products to hold down energy costs and use products more effectively.

Use water wisely. Don’t pre-rinse dishes before they hit the dishwasher except in the most extreme cases. Use the dishwasher and clothes washer only when they are full.
Reduce energy usage. Air-drying clothes when possible … washing them in cold water … using proper-sized pots and pans that fit burner dimensions … turning off ovens a few minutes before cooking has ended … they’re all great ways to cut down on your energy bills.
Focus on filters. Air conditioners, dryers, vacuum cleaners and fridges all operate better and use less energy when their filters are clean.
Unplug. In addition to TV and computer power strips, get in the habit of unplugging devices like toaster ovens and table model microwaves when they aren’t use.

To get a look at previous tips, click here.

Click here for some of the area’s most eco-friendly sites!

Check out this collection of links to some of the best green websites on earth!