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9 Easy Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

1. RECYCLE CDs & DVDs
Compact Discs (CDs) and DVDs are one commonly used product in both business and home, but according to the EPA it is estimated that more than 5.5 million boxes of software go to landfills

and incinerators each year. Both CDs & DVDs are made up several kinds of metals and plastics that can be successfully recycled for use in new products. Electronic recycling companies use a process that breaks down the discs and reformulates them into a high quality plastic with a variety of uses. If you have CDs & DVDs you no longer want, first consider reselling them, donating them to libraries, schools or other organizations or sharing them with friends instead of throwing them in the trash. Otherwise, you can recycle them at Goodwill Industries, or check online at www.cdrecyclingcenter.org. This site offer consumers a place to mail in unwanted discs for proper recycling. There are also numerous iPod transmitter devices available on the market that can connect your iPod with your car and blast your downloaded music out the speakers, thus eliminating the need to burn CDs & DVDs for your listening pleasure while mobile.

2. BUY REUSABLE WATER BOTTLES
There is evidence that some chemicals in the plastics commonly used to make water bottles may be harmful to your health and that much of bottled water is nothing more than tap water run through a filter. You can do that yourself for free! Install an under-the-counter water filter or use a filter that attaches to the sink faucet. Tote canteens and stainless steel water bottles; they're much more durable and can be washed and reused countless times with no harm to the environment. If you don’t want to invest in one of those, then just refill the plastic water bottles that you bought. We have refilled and reused ours many, many times. One package of bottled water will give you enough bottles to refill and reuse for months. Reducing the vast amounts of plastic water bottles littering landfills worldwide is an easy way to love the planet.

3. PICK A HYBRID OR EMISSIONS-REDUCING VEHICLE
Hybrids are getting more innovative – not to mention stylish – by the year. Consider making at least one of your family’s vehicles a hybrid. It’s understandable if you still want to keep that swanky sports car and luxury SUV, but consider buying a hybrid as a second family car and trade off. Choose your flashy two-seater for date night, but take the emissions-reducing vehicle for errands and long drives. It's a balanced way to keep the luxury you crave and still support the development of green technology. Plus, the more hybrids sold, the more the message gets out to auto manufacturers that consumers want these cars.

4. SWITCH TO COMPACT FLUORESCENT BULBS (CFLs)
Always change out incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent ones. Even though there is an initial investment, the energy savings are significant and they last a long time. Home Depot now has a program for recycling the bulbs. Make sure you handle them with care and dispose of them properly as they do contain mercury, a TOXIC SUBSTANCE harmful to your health.
See The Truth About Compact Fluorescent Bulbs (CFLs).

5. INVEST IN A REUSABLE CONTAINER FOR YOUR DAILY COFFEE RUN
If you enjoy daily visits to your favorite coffee place, that’s seven paper or plastic cups per week, or 365 per year that are going in the garbage if not recycled. Instead, bring your own thermos or stainless steel container and have your favorite java joint put your drink in that instead of a disposable paper cup. Most chains like Starbucks and Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf have their own product lines, and since you’ll be saving them paper (and therefore money) no coffee shop will think it inconvenient.

6. GROW SOME OF YOUR OWN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES AND USE COMPOST FOR YOUR OUTDOOR PLANTS AND GARDEN
It’s not always easy to do in the desert heat, but there are several kinds of vegetables and fruits that thrive in this climate, so look into setting up a backyard garden. (The Springs Preserve is a phenomenal information resource – See our Green Events Calendar for classes) This can save you money, provide exercise, and give you an opportunity to reconnect with nature. Compost is also a great way to “recycle” leftover fruit and vegetable parts, as their scraps provide nutrients for your garden.

7. INSTALL SOLAR TUBES IN AREAS OF YOUR HOME THAT GET LITTLE NATURAL LIGHT
By using solar tubes instead of standard ceiling light fixtures, you’re using a plentiful natural resource in Southern Nevada – the sun! Once the initial investment is made, you’ll easily cut costs on your monthly electric bill.

8. UNPLUG SMALL APPLIANCES
When not turned “on”, appliances that are plugged into the wall still use electricity (like cell phone chargers) even when fully charged or not in use. Unplug items in your home until you really need to use them, such as toaster ovens, coffee makers, lamps, video game consoles, microwaves, chargers, hairdryers, electric toothbrushes and curling irons. And don’t forget to turn off your computer at night.

9. REMEMBER THE BASICS
Small acts add up. If everyone takes an extra moment to turn off unused lights, utilize scrap paper for notes and lists and turn off the water while brushing their teeth, the cumulative saved resources will make a huge difference.

Want to calculate your carbon footprint?
Go to this Nevada Energy webpage:
www.nvenergy.com/saveenergy/home/carbonfootprint/