Going Green

How Green are you?

Reduce: Reducing is best! If you don't use it in the first place, you are saving money and energy and stopping pollution and waste.
Reuse: Reusing comes second. Find new life for items that would normally be thrown away. Even just one second use helps reduce what you need to buy again.
Recycle: Recycling is a distant third to the first two. Recycling requires fuel, energy and water consumption for transportation and reprocessing. However, it is still better than throwing items away, only to end up in a landfill.

Computers and Electronics

Turn your computer off when you aren't using it.
Set your computer and monitor to sleep/standby when active for too long. A computer in sleep mode uses about 5% of the energy as one on screen saver!
Look for Energy Star label when buying a new computer or other electronic device. Consider buying a flat screen monitor or a laptop model.
Recycle your cellular phone. Over 30 million are produced each year, and only 5% of used phones are recycled.
Turn off TV's, radios and stereos when you aren't using them.
Many appliances consume electricity even when off! To avoid "phantom loads", plug all electrical cords into a power strip and turn the strip off when not using any of them.
Phone chargers, laptop cords, printers, etc. all draw power when unused. Consider a power strip, as mentioned above.
Always turn off lights when you leave a room.
Utilize natural light whenever possible. Open your blinds, enjoy the sunlight!
Use only Compact Flourescent Light (CFL) bulbs in all your lights. They use 75% less energy and last 10 times longer!

Paper and Other Disposables

Print on both sides when you can.
Buy items in bulk to reduce packaging waste.
Change the default margins on your word processing program to .75 inches or less. It will save paper, especially on longer documents.
Use canvas or other reusable bags when shopping.
Bring your own coffee mug or refillable water bottle to work instead of using paper or Styrofoam cups.

Appliances & Home Energy

Plant a tree on the west side of your home. It could save you up to 12% on energy bills after 15 years. It reduces carbon dioxide and makes cleaner air.
Set your home and office refrigerator temperature between 36 and 42 degrees Fahrenheit.
When purchasing new appliances, look for Energy Star label.

Water

Take the shortest showers you can.
Turn the water off when you are brushing your teeth or shaving.
Wash only full loads of laundry.
In buildings with dual-flush toilets, like Noyce, use the appropriate flush.
Cleaning your fishbowl, or emptying a vase? Use the water on your houseplants or in your garden.

BEING CONSCIOUSLY CREATIVE IS A GREAT WAY TO GO GREEN!

Do you have any ideas? The Town is interested in your thoughts for "Going Green". The Town welcomes your suggestions and will share them on this website (along with your name if you choose).

**Email your tips to Town Clerk Davenport: ydavenport@southpalmbeach.com