What You Can Do | Sustainability

Separate your recyclables. Glass and cardboard are recycled differently!
Keep your cans and bottles for return. They get recycled and you get your bottle deposit back.
Metro Regional Government's Recycling Hotline: 503-234-3000
Earth 911 provides recycling information by zip code
EPA’s Reduce, Reuse and Recycle program provides basic information on the three R's
National Recycling Coalition is a non-profit advocacy group

Spread the love! Pick your favorite green tip and pass it on.

Around the Home

Eat as many plant based (vegan) meals as possible.
Drive as little as possible or not at all.
Have fewer children or at least delay having children.
Turn off thermostats when not in use. During the winter, close your windows and blinds to conserve heat. Put on a sweater if you get chilly.
Don't use lights if you don't need them. Turn them off when you leave a room.
Pay as many bills as possible online and put a stop to unsolicited mail
Consider using a laptop instead of a desktop; they consume less energy
Turn your electronics off and unplug them, even chargers, when not in use. Powerstrips that have off buttons make this practice easier.
Take shorter showers.
Water your lawn less. Most people overwater them.
Wash laundry in cold water instead of hot. Line dry your laundry rather than using the dryer. This reduces emissions, saves you money, and is gentler on your clothes.

Purchasing Power

Use less. Think about what you need vs. what you want.
Buy as few animal products, especially those produced in factory farms, as possible.
Before buying anything new, first check your local Buy Nothing group, Craigslist or Freecycle (or nearest thrift store)
Hold a clothing swap with friends instead of taking your clothes to Goodwill.
Instead of buying, share, borrow and lend tools, books, DVDs, clothes and other items with friends.
Forego buying paper towels and use cloth napkins daily instead of paper.
As much as possible, buy previously-used and second-hand items. It saves you money and decreases the demand for new products.
Shop at the farmers market and join a local CSA (community supported agriculture)
Support local restaurants that use food grown less than 100 miles away.
Stop buying bottled water. Buy a reusable water bottle and refill it.

Out and About

Ride a bike, walk, or take public transportation when possible. Carpool and decrease trips as much as possible (e.g. by combining errands) when it's not.
Take the stairs rather than the elevator. It's good for you too!

Creative and Sustainable

Learn fix-it skills (i.e. basic carpentry and mending clothes) so you can care for what you own. Just because it has a hole in it, doesn't mean it's destined for the garbage.
Make your own household cleaners from inexpensive, non-toxic ingredients.
Make rags out of old towels and T-shirts.
Repurpose glass jars as leftover containers and bulk storage.
Repurpose something. Get creative! Everything from food containers to old jeans can be repurposed for something fun and useful.

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