Eat More Grains and Produce

Eat lower on the food chain. The higher up you go, the greater the environmental impact. That means more grains and produce.


Add vegan meals to your diet. Electing to go vegan for just one meal a week can impact the planet.

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.

February 27, 2012

Unplug the charger on your cell phone: When portable devices such as a Blackberry(TM), cell phone, or iPod(TM) are finished charging, disconnect the device and unplug the charger. Even if the device isn't connected, energy continues to seep out through the charger itself.

Zap your meals.  Microwaves are between 3.5 and 4.8 times more energy efficient than traditional electric ovens. Cooking and reheating with a microwave is faster and more efficient than the stovetop or oven.

Maximize when needed, reduce when not

Unplug power adapters, chargers and appliances (coffee makers, heaters, radios) when not in use, or use a power strip that can be switched off.

Keep your freezer full for optimal power use.

Set thermostat to 68 F in the winter and turn down heat when not in room.

Set thermostat to 74 F in the summer and turn up cooling when not in room.

Make sure your dishwasher and clothes washer and dryer are full before using them. The aforementioned major appliances consume large amounts of energy, so reduce their use as much as possible by only running them with full loads.

Refrain from using push-button automated door-opening mechanisms when not neeed.