WHATS YOUR 1 THING?

I now use my reusable bags when I go to the grocery store instead of using the plastic bags the stores give out.  -Marilene, Seattle
Replace bath towels with half sized hand towels, plenty of towel to get the job done. Reduces laundry/energy/water/soap 1/2.  -Michael, Quilcene
Whenever I find it on, I turn off the light in my company's conference room.  -Jill, Seattle
I encouraged my collage (the art institute of Ft Lauderdale) to add receycleing bins in the Class room. I was successful.  -William, Ft Lauderdale
I recycle all the garbage I can.  -Sheldon, Orting, WA
I buy as much as I can from local farmers and practice being a 'locavore' as much as possible.  -Sean, Camden, SC
I have a beautiful, locally made coffee mug I use every day at work instead of paper or Styrofoam.  -Michelle, Redmond
Turn off the water heater if away for a few days. Use dimmers on our lights. Use motion lights outside for security.  -Michelle, Redmond
Alot of people forget about being green at work, put an extra garbage can next to your desk for recyclables.  -Tim, Seattle
I share my home with with 5 other adults and two teens. Living together lowers our footprint and increases our fun!  -Bruce, Lake City
using bar soaps instead of plastic bottled soaps = less packaging. also using all natural dish soaps.  -karin, poulsbo
NW Biodiesel Network Monthly MeetingBiodiesel - It's All About the Quality. 8/26/08. www.nwbiodiesel.org/.  -Joe, Seattle
Built our "chicken condo" and children's tree fort out of recycled wood from local demos.  -Vicki, Puyallup
While waiting for hot water to get to the tap, I fill a pitcher and use it to water my plants.  -Debbie, Kingston
ALL of the light bulbs in my house and outside are the low energy bulbs(11watts) I use less bulbs in all the rooms esp. the bath  -Kaye, Hemet,Ca
Go Solar!!!! Yes it works here!  -Kate, Seattle
i am launching an eco-conscious clothing line: www.salvationware.com!  -jme, redmond
I work @ home, so have flexibility. From May-Oct, I try to line dry all but 3X/month. I save 100 hours of dryer time a year!  -Deirdre, Vashon
I use reusable canvas bags when grocery shopping.  -Linda, Puyallup
Solar heated water and a soapstone masonry heater with baking oven minimize our propane use. Awesome.  -Michele Keyes, Olga
I use a drying rack for my thinner clothing instead of the dryer. Cuts my elec bill and drying time!  -Erin, West Seattle
I use cloth shopping bags. PCC has some $10 bags made by envirosax that fold up so small, I even took one to the mall.  -Joni, Seattle
I recycle whenever possible. but when im out in public i cant always recycle because there isnt always public recycling cans.  -Kayla, seattle
I buy organic, local food whenever possible to support farming and food transport that is best for my family and our world.  -Ardel, Snohomish, WA
I recycle all the cardboard and paper I use.  -Chris, Portland
instead of throwing out old things, i find someone who can use them, i even rehome the things my neighborhood puts on the curb.  -C.P., poulsbo
We've changed nearly all our ligh bulbs to the new compact type..they may not look beautiful but it's worth the savings!  -Angela, Black Diamond
I use cloth bags instead of taking the plastic bag they offer  -William, Fort Lewis
I never use the heater in my apartment, blankets are cheaper and don't waste energy!  -Catie, Seattle
I use biodegradable bags for my dog's waste.  -Monica, Seattle
I use a non-disposable coffee filter and use the grounds in my garden.  -Jill, Renton
I installed a gray water toilet, using one of our rain barrels.  -Rich , Seattle
I use a "GREEN" product called Eximo to remove oil stains from my driveway to prevent toxic water runoff.  -Derek, Issaquah
I Carry a travel mug with me for coffee.  -Katie, Kelowna
i put my kitchen compost for yardwaste into cereal boxes, which then also become compostable  -Tammy, Seattle
I only use naturally derived cleaning products in my home. No chemcals. They smell fantastic!  -Mina, Kirkland
I sell and use laundrypure in my home to remove soaps,bleach and other chemicals from my water discharge into city sewer system  -eric byers, Gig Harbor
We got chickens and reuse other peoples' egg cartons to disperse our extra eggs to family and friends. Commercial eggs, blech!  -Heather, Clinton
to get to places like school, and other towns i walk, ride my bike, rollerblade and when necessary, take the metro.  -kylie repp, snoqualmie
I traded in my beloved 9 year old Jeep Wrangler (15 mpg) for a new Hybrid! Hurray!  -Leann, kenmore, wa
I RECYCLE JUST ABOUT ANY THING YOU CAN THINK OF.. I EVEN TAKE THE TIME TO STRIP RECYCLABLES OF NON-RECYCLABLE MATERIALS DO YOU ?  -RON, OAK HARBOR,WA.
I turn the heat dry cycle off on my dishwasher to save energy.  -Amy, Bellevue
Ive switched jobs in construction to a company that builds green homes!They can save ya hella cash-ola!  -JD, seattle
To conserve water my boyfriend and I shower together.  -Larissa, Mill Creek
I grow as many vegetables as I can year round at my neighborhood P-Patch. I give extras to neighborhood foodbank or neighbors.  -Cristina , Seattle
I switch OFF the print option on my calculator at work. Eliminating the register tape on 99% of the caluations I do.  -Dawn, Marysville
I have a chemical free yard and recycle faithfully. Also I grow my own vegetables.  -Lauri, Seattle
I use as much wood as possible as it a renewable resource and the global demand for wood does not exceed the annual growth rate.  -Ed, Portland Oregon
I don't water my lawn, my clothes dryer broke down in April,as a result I now use clothes racks for drying, & shop thrift stores  -Beverly, Enumclaw
I use cloth diapers and cloth wipes on my 10 month old daughter Abigail!!  -Megan, Fort Lewis
 

The Commute

April 4, 2008 - 1:11pm — clybecker

Did you know that we could save eight billion gallons of gas if every commuter car carried just one more person?  Encouraging workers to drive less is one of the most important and effective steps a company can take to becoming sustainable (not to mention a great way for employees to save money on gas).  A simple first step: set up an online carpool board.

More tips:
*Make bike racks available.  When people see them being used regularly, they may be inspired to use them as well.

*Offer incentives for people that carpool, bike, or bus to work.  These can include reserved parking spots for carpoolers, reduced parking rates, and monthly or quarterly prize drawings for anyone who doesn’t drive.

*Sign up for commuter deals with King County Metro system.  Businesses can reduce their carbon footprint and at the same time receive tax benefits.

*Consider working four ten-hour days or nine nine-hour days instead of five eight-hour days.  Having an extra day off every (or every other) week adds up to much less commute time over a work year.

*Provide opportunities for people to work from home by using telephone or video-conferencing
Ready for the Big Step?  Purchase carbon credits to make up for the CO2 your company produces through commuting and business travel.  Tracking commuting and travel habits will make your workers and business accountable to the actual impact they make on the earth.