The impact of Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHGs) in our atmosphere is quite real. If we are to protect our Earth from further damage, we all need to lessen our ?footprint?. We can do this by cutting back on the things we do daily that add to the amount of GHGs that are generated. The most damaging of these gases is carbon dioxide (CO2). Here are some practical ways to lower the amount of CO2 you contribute.
Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
- Recycle All You Can – WVU prevented the emission of 877,585 metric tons of GHGs through its recycling efforts in 2007. Imagine the savings if we captured the rest of the recyclables that end up in the landfill!
- Use Recycled Paper ? By making sure your printer paper is 100% post consumer recycled paper, you will save five pounds of CO2 per ream of paper.
- Buy Minimally Packaged Goods ? Less packaging could reduce your garbage by about ten percent, saving 1,200 pounds of CO2.
- Bring cloth Bags to the Market ? Using your own cloth bag instead of plastic or paper bags reduces waste and requires no additional energy.
Saving Energy
- Use Compact Fluorescent Bulbs ? Replacing just three frequently used light bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps will save 300 pounds of CO2 and $60 per year. They contain small amounts of mercury, so be sure to include these with your household hazardous waste disposal. If you must dispose of them with your trash, make sure they are double-bagged in plastic.
- Take Shorter Showers ? Showers account for two-thirds of all water heating costs. By shortening them, save 350 pounds of CO2 and $99 per year. Also, install a low-flow showerhead to use less water and less energy to heat the water and save $350 pounds of CO2 and $150.
- Carpool When You Can ? Own a big vehicle? Carpooling with friends and co-workers saves fuel. Save 790 pounds of CO2 and hundreds of dollars per year.
- Buy a Fuel Efficient Car ? Getting a few extra miles per gallon makes a big difference. Save thousands of pounds of CO2 and a lot of money per year. Better still, consider purchasing a hybrid vehicle ? the average driver could save 16,000 pounds of CO2 and $3,750 per year driving a hybrid.
- Don?t Idle in Your Car ? Idling wastes money and gas, and generates pollution and GHGs. Except when in traffic, if you must wait for more than 30 seconds, turn your engine off.
- Unplug Electronics When Not in Use ? Even when electronic devices are turned off, they use energy. Save over 1,000 pounds of CO2 and $256 per year by unplugging them.
- Insulate Your Hot Water Heater ? Keeping your water heater insulated could save 1,000 pounds of CO2 and $40 per year.
- Replace Old Appliances ? Inefficient appliances waste energy. If you?re thinking about replacing your appliances anyway, look for appliances with the Energy Star seal and save hundreds of dollars and hundreds of pounds of CO2 per year.
- Insulate Your Home ? Make sure your walls and ceilings are insulated. Remember that cellulose and fiberglass insulation are made from recycled material, too. Save 2,000 pounds of CO2 and $245 per year.
Living Green
- Buy Products Locally ? Buy locally and reduce the amount of energy required to ship your food and other products across the country. Locally grown food is fresher and more nutritious, too.
- Buy Organic Food ? The chemicals used in modern agriculture can pollute the water supply, are made from fossil fuels, and require energy to produce and transport.
- Plant a Tree ? Trees suck up CO2 and make clean air for us to breathe. Save 2,000 pounds of CO2 per year.
Fact sheet courtesy of the Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania. http://www.proprecycles.org/