Top 10 Easy Ways FLC Members Can Become More "Green"

1. Ask for paper rather than plastic bags at the grocery store. Better yet – take your own reusable cloth tote bags with you when you shop. Some stores will give you a credit for doing this.

2. Switch to a reusable filter in your coffee pot, rather than paper filters. These are readily available at most discount and home goods stores, and are sometimes called "gold" filters.

3. If you live in an apartment or condo complex that does not provide for recycling, take your recyclable items to any one of the drop-off sites in Greensboro.  For locations and a listing of what is accepted, go to  www.greensboro-nc.gov/departments/fieldops/recycling/.

 4. Start a compost barrel or container and use it for organic waste instead of throwing it into the trash or washing it down the drain.  Organic food scraps other than dairy and meat break down quickly and turns into great compost for your plants.

5. If your condensate drain line from your air conditioner is accessable outside your house, use a bucket or connect a soaker-type hose to collect the water coming from the drain.  It's amazing how much water you collect during peak use in the summertime, and it's great for watering your plants.

6. Get off junk mail lists.  Register with the Direct Marketing Association Mail preference Services (www.dmaconsumers.org) and you'll see a significant reduction in mail after a few months.

7. Unplug household appliances and electronics (like the coffee maker, toaster, and cell phone charger) when they're not in use.  Even if they're not turned on, appliances that are plugged in use energy.

8. Avoid drive- thru's when there are long lines.  Park and turn off your car, and walk into the restaurant or bank.  You save gas and get a little exercise too.

9. Don't let the water run while brushing your teeth or shaving – turn on only as needed. You'll save a lot of water.

10. Use ceiling fans to help circulate air throughout your house.  Make sure they run clockwise during the summer and counter-clockwise during the winter.

Additional Easy Ways FLC Members Can Become More "Green"

1. Change your light bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs).  These bulbs use 66% less energy than a standard incandescent bulb and last up to 10 times longer.  Replacing a 100-watt incandescent bulb with a 32-watt CFL can save $30 in energy costs over the life of the bulb.

2. Adjust your thermostat up one or two degrees in the summer and down one or two in the winter to drastically reduce emissions – and reduce your utility bills too.  Be sure to change your filters often during times of peak usage to keep your unit working efficiently.

3. Buy a programmable thermostat to cut the temperature down in the winter or up in the summer by 10 degrees while you're not home, or in bed sleeping for the night.

4. Avoid using disposable containers and dinnerware (cups, plates, flatware, etc.).   Use containers for sandwiches rather than plastic sandwich bags, and wash and re-use them and other products for your kids (and your) lunches. 

5. Use cloth napkins, real dishes and cutlery to enhance your dining experience and send the message to your family that they deserve the best. 

6. Use rags, sponges, or dish towels for mopping up spills rather than paper towels.

7. Buy and use a rain barrel to catch rain water from your roof.  This is great for watering your plants in the summertime especially. 

8. Quit buying single-serve beverages in plastic bottles, especially water.  Buy a re-usable water bottle and a Brita (or similar) pitcher with a filter, and refill your bottle from that.

9. Wash only full loads of laundry and dishes.  And use warm and/or cold water for some of your laundry to save more energy too. 

10. Be sure to clean the lint filter every time you dry a load of laundry.  And consider hanging laundry on a clothesline rather than using a dryer.

11. Buy organic products from the local farmer's market. Local produce keeps the money in your local economy and requires a fraction of the transportation costs, thus reducing carbon emissions. 

12. Install low-flow showerheads, and aerators on kitchen and bathroom sink faucets.

13. Recycle your old cell phones – drop off locations in Greensboro include Office Depot, Staples, Best Buy, and Greensboro City E-Waste Program at 2750 Patterson Street. 

14. Donate unused clothing and household items to organizations that resell them – such as Goodwill Industries, VA Veterans, and the Habitat for Humanity Resale Store.  Shop there too – you can find some wonderful bargains.

15. Use both sides of printer paper for rough drafts, or cut it up for note paper.