Make Every Day Earth Day

Replace incandescent light bulbs with fluorescents — newer models are cheaper and have softer light than earlier versions.

Use native plants and trees in your landscaping instead of water-consuming turf and save money on your water bill.

Not going far? Don’t take the car! If you are only going a short distance, hop on your bike or walk instead. You’ll save gas, get some exercise and reduce air pollution from your car’s exhaust.

Build a compost pile. As your food waste, yard clippings and leaves biodegrade they will create rich garden nutrients while saving space in our landfill.

Buy in bulk. This helps reduce the amount of packaging you’ll have to throw away while lowering the price you pay per unit.

Recycle at home if curbside recycling is available, or bring your recyclables to your local redemption center.

Use rechargeable batteries. This not only helps to reduce garbage, but also keeps toxic metals such as mercury from getting into the environment.

Use non-toxic, environmentally friendly cleaning products, or make your own (check the web for easy recipes).

Keep informed…make sure to check out www.NorthernNevadaEnvironmentalCalendar.org for a listing of environmental events happening in our community.

Be heard. Vote in local and national elections. Also, contact your congressional representatives and ask them to oppose efforts that will weaken environmental laws. Go to www.congress.org to find your congressperson’s contact information.

Volunteer with one of the dozens of local environmental non-profits …what better way to give back to your community and show that you care about an issue?

Close the loop and buy recycled content products. The increased consumer demand for recycled products “closes the loop” of recycling programs by developing markets for such products.

Paper or plastic? Choose neither and bring a reusable canvas bag for your groceries. Many grocery stores also give a five-cent credit per bag when you use your own.

Add a low-flow faucet aerator. This is a simple device that you can attach to your water faucets at home that mixes air into the water stream. This maintains steady pressure so the flow has an even, full shower spray. If only 10,000 four-person households would install low-flow aerators, 33 million gallons of water would be saved yearly.

Cut up six-pack rings so that there are no holes an animal can get stuck in.

Assemble an urban survival kit with a water bottle, reusable utensils and your own plastic container for leftovers so you won’t have to use disposable items at restaurants.

When camping or hiking, stay on trails to reduce your impact on the environment.

Start an office-paper recycling program where you work.