1-Think about what you throw away. Often things that we throw away could be easily recycled which would help reduce otherwise-wasted energy, water and natural resources. Start by checking with your trash removal service or your town/county to see if they offer recycling removal or where in your town you could bring trash for recycling. Then begin separating out paper, aluminum, glass and cardboard for recycling. Get your kids in on it and see how much you can begin reducing your weekly trash output and recycling it instead!

2-Switch it off. Just say “no” to keeping the electricity running and turn off appliances/items off when you’re not using them – such as lights, television sets, DVD players, computer, etc. Consider plugging items in to a power strip that you can easily turn off with one switch.

3-Wait to wash. Reduce your use of water and electricity by waiting to run your dishwasher and washing machine until you have a full load.

4- Plan out your trips. Driving is the single biggest way that most of us negatively impact our environment. Instead of jumping in the car for a single trip, plan out your errands, visits and work to make the most of your time out and reduce the number of trips you take.

5- Re-use what you can. You can even make it a game with your spouse and/or kids to think of how many ways or times you can use something before throwing it away.

6-Adjust the temp on your water heater. Keep your water heater thermostat no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and lower your utility bills.

7- Shorten your showers. Did you know that showers account for two-thirds of all water heating costs? Shave a few minutes off your shower time and you will reduce the amount of energy needed to heat the water, the actual water usage and both your water and utility bills.

8- Plant a tree. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and clean our air. Planting just one tree can reduce the effects of 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide each year…and it can be an inexpensive, fun activity for your family to do together. Contact your local county extension office to see if they offer free tree seedlings.

9- Kick the Junk Mail Habit. Forty-one pounds…that’s the staggering weight of the 560 or so pieces of junk mail each adult American receives per year. Almost half of it remains completely unopened and unread before heading straight to the landfill. Sadly, recycling junk mail is especially difficult due to the high concentrations of heavy metals used in the inks. Year after year, boreal forests get wantonly turned into garbage as more than 100 million trees and 28 billion gallons of water are wasted in the production of junk mail. This whole frustrating process is perpetuated by everyone, from the USPS to credit reporting companies like Equifax and Experian, selling your name for three to twenty cents a pop to anyone in the market to buy it. To end this cycle on your own, check out www.stopjunkmail.org, or www.ecocycle.org. For help on ending the steady stream of mail. go to www.41pounds.org, www.stopthejunkmail.com, or www.greendimes.com.

10- Use reusable bags. Lots of people have started using reusable bags at the grocery store, but if you have a cloth bag handy with you all the time, you don't have to remember one when you are running in to just get milk and bread, or shampoo and diapers.