Supply Your Own Bags

Supply your own bags and leftover containers. If you're headed to a restaurant that you know serves king-sized portions, bring a plastic container to take home the leftovers, and keep one fewer Styrofoam container from the landfill pile. 

Going to the supermarket? Opt out of the paper/plastic debate and bring your own canvas tote bags.

March 19, 2012

Opt for travel mugs and reusable water bottles.

Avoid individual bottled beverages, use pitchers of tap water instead.

March 12, 2012

• When dining out in a cafeteria style restaurant, take only what you can eat in the restaurant to reduce your food waste

• Bring your own cutlery and dishware to the office instead of using disposable tableware.

March 5, 2012

    Go for glass. The energy required to produce a single 12-ounce aluminum can from virgin ore is enough to produce nearly two 12-ounce glass bottles. So the next time you buy a six-pack of beer, opt for glass bottles over aluminum cans.    

Buy a power strip. Did you know that your appliances use electricity even when they are turned off? It's called a phantom load, or vampire power. As much as 75 percent of the electricity used to power home electronics and small appliances is used while they're turned off, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. The Ohio Consumers Council estimates that it costs consumers $40 to $100 a year.