WHATS YOUR 1 THING?

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
Solar heated water and a soapstone masonry heater with baking oven minimize our propane use. Awesome.  -Michele Keyes, Olga
I now bike everywhere i used to go in a car to get to friends houses.  -Steven , Sammamish
I refill four, one gallon, water bottles for work. I am a May truck driver. I hope all trucks get APU's to stop useless idling.  -Richard Carstens, Carson
I recycle all the garbage I can and compost food scraps. I try to buy organic products with minimal or biodegradable packaging.  -Megan, Tacoma
I carpool with my divorced spouse 5 days a week.If we can make it work, you can make it work!  -Sherry, Arlington, WA
I use cloth bags instead of taking the plastic bag they offer  -William, Fort Lewis
I use biodegradable bags for my dog's waste.  -Monica, Seattle
I've given up plastic grocery bags altogether. I have about 7 reuseable ones which can fit just about everything I need.  -JenF, West Seattle
Buy "green" products and try to gradually influence as many of my friends as possible. It's working so far!  -Marian, Lacey
Water barrels, CFlightbulbs, organic gardening, mulching, composting, recycling, natural pet food. The Johnsons - Steilacoom  -Joyce, Steilacoom
At work I buy 100% post consumer paper for our office printing & copying needs.  -Averie, Bellevue
COMPOST  -Katie, Kelowna
i turn my water of when im brushing my teeth. :D  -kayla, lynnwood
I recycle @ home & work; and use boxes wine comes in for many crafts. Also I educate every one I can to recycle.  -Freilah Allen-Sonn, Renton
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
I take keep my reusable grocery bags in my car so I always have them available when I go to the store.  -Cherel, Washougal
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
I traded in my beloved 9 year old Jeep Wrangler (15 mpg) for a new Hybrid! Hurray!  -Leann, kenmore, wa
I encouraged my collage (the art institute of Ft Lauderdale) to add receycleing bins in the Class room. I was successful.  -William, Ft Lauderdale
Make sure the car is running as efficiently as possible  -Laura, seattle
I buy as much as I can from local farmers and practice being a 'locavore' as much as possible.  -Sean, Camden, SC
Air-dry my laundry.  -Kristine, Seattle
I only use naturally derived cleaning products in my home. No chemcals. They smell fantastic!  -Mina, Kirkland
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
I install energy efficient heating and cooling systems as well as solar and geothermal.  -Travis, Marysville
I used a refillable water bottle instead of disposable ones.  -Amiee, Seattle
I live in the community I work in.  -Kara, Olympia
I use cloth diapers and cloth wipes on my 10 month old daughter Abigail!!  -Megan, Fort Lewis
I share my home with with 5 other adults and two teens. Living together lowers our footprint and increases our fun!  -Bruce, Lake City
The paper towel roll sits in a lower drawer where it's hard to find. But we have plenty of cloth towels for cleaning up spills.  -Tom, Seattle
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 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
my husband and I drive natural gas cars.We fill up @ home for 1.63 a gallon & no emissions.  -laura, kenmore
I am parking my car 3 days a week, finding other ways to commute to work.  -Janelle, Bothell
Buy Local  -Sue, Seattle
At work, I have a drinking glass at my desk. Can take it home to wash and avoids using disposable cups.  -Erin, Bothell
I use phosphate free, all natural detergent and softner when I do laundry.  -Kaitlin, Tacoma
I never use the heater in my apartment, blankets are cheaper and don't waste energy!  -Catie, Seattle
I bike to work  -Linda, Anacortes
I garden with Pacific Northwest native trees and shrubs to save water and attract birds.  -Erick, Seattle
I bring my own mug instead of getting a papercup from the Coffee Shop!  -Sarah , Seattle
Dry clothes outside as often as possible!  -Jennifer, Redmond
I recycle my Aquarium water after a change and use it to water my garden.  -Ray, Renton
I recycle all the cardboard and paper I use.  -Chris, Portland
Whenever possible, I try to buy personal care products that are botanical and not tested on animals.  -Donna, Seattle
Only buy local produce. -Lindy, Bellevue  -Lindy, Bellevue
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
using bar soaps instead of plastic bottled soaps = less packaging. also using all natural dish soaps.  -karin, poulsbo
If I'm not using an electronic or a light it isn't plugged in or turned on.  -Ashley, Seattle
 
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Living Space

April 7, 2008 - 10:46am — clybecker

The economical and environmental cost of energy is high. Saving energy in your home can be easier then you may think. By taking simple steps you can reduce your energy costs and shrink your impact on the planet. Plugging electronics into a central power strip that can be turned off after use is an efficient way to stop those devices from sucking power. Even when electronics are not turned on they are using power if they are plugged in .

April 7, 2008 - 10:46am — clybecker

The Northwest has taken the initiative on recycling. It is illegal in Seattle to dispose of recyclable items in the trash. As of February 2008, residents are now able to dispose of food waste in their yard waste containers. This helps the city come closer to achieving its zero waste goal.

April 7, 2008 - 10:44am — clybecker

The consumption of organic food is on the rise. Washington State is the second highest consumer of organic products in the nation. Consumers are becoming more aware of the health risks and environmental impacts of non-organic food.

April 4, 2008 - 4:14pm — chris
April 4, 2008 - 4:09pm — chris
April 4, 2008 - 4:08pm — chris
April 4, 2008 - 1:02pm — clybecker

Indoor air may be three times more polluted than the air outside. This is in part because typical home products are filled with chemicals. Toxic elements are found in fabrics, carpet, cushion foams, paints, and stains. Decorating your home in a way that is healthy for you as well as the planet is becoming easier as the demand for sustainable products increases.

April 4, 2008 - 1:01pm — clybecker

When you think of environmental culprits, dogs and cats don’t come to mind. But the truth is that pets and pet care create waste and contribute to environmental issues. Pet products are prone to over-packaging, generating excess waste that ends up in the landfill. Buying items in bulk reduces this waste. Look for items with recyclable packaging, or no packaging at all. Chew toys are typically made of made of soft PVC plastics, this is toxic and can enter your pets system and have been linked to canine cancer. Replace that squeaky toy with a rope or hemp Frisbee.

April 4, 2008 - 12:59pm — clybecker

The practice of gardening is not new to humans. But as we become further removed from the fundamental process of growing our food, gardening is becoming more important. It gives you an active role in what you eat, a heightened awareness for what you put into your body, as well as a better sense of the biological processes that surround us. Additionally, growing your own food can decrease your carbon footprint by alleviating the impact that transporting food across the nation inflicts on the climate.

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