EPA Conversations Everyday Green Tips

Around the country and around the world, from Aspen, Colorado to Seattle, Washington to Delhi, India, communities are making a choice and banning single-use plastic grocery bags. Reducing these single-use items can decrease our resource consumption and energy use. In 2009, the United States used 102 billion plastic bags, an enormous amount of fossil fuel resources were required to make those bags which consume extravagant... more »

Ordering lunch to-go in your own, reusable container (like Tupperware) can prevent a ton of plastic waste from ending up in landfills, gutters, and the ocean. 93% of plastic in the U.S. is NOT recycled, but rather ends up in the landfill.

The Lunchbox Project is simple and effortless. Leave a reusable container at the office and there’s no forgetting. The Lunchbox Project promotes your local economy by encouraging people... more »

Mix grass clippings with equal parts shredded newspaper, keep moist and "toss" frequently for a compost salad mulch to sprinkle around and nutufe your garden.

Offices and showrooms should turn off lights etc. in sections where these are not required and when the working hours.

Judiciously use the 5 P's (Petrol, Paper, Plastic, Power, Potable Water)

Embrace the 5 R's (Reuse, Reduce, Recycle, Be Responsible, Refuse).

 

Rajiv Sinha: Griffith University Prof.

Five easy and quick ways to make sure your car runs a little more eco-friendly!
1. Proper tire inflation. Keeping your tires properly inflated will allow your car to track down the road evenly and safely. Less drag from under inflated tires.
2. Clean filters. Change your air filter and fuel filters at regular intervals. Your engine needs clean air to breathe and clean gas to burn. Efficiency comes from both.
3. Run... more »

My number one reason for cycling to work is that it’s fun. My route includes a long stretch of a bike trail nestled above the Potomac river, where instead of a crowded metro car or traffic I enjoy early morning scenes of mist rising off the water, local crew teams gliding in rhythm to the “stroke, stroke, stroke” of the coxswain, and the occasional glimpse of a beaver or other critter.

But there are plenty of other... more »

What is the Menstrual Cup?

Originally developed in 1937, the menstrual cup is worn inside the vagina during menstruation to collect menstrual fluid directly. It is a cost-saving and eco-friendly alternative to menstrual pads or sanitary towels. Made of latex, silicone or TPE, the cup is reusable and designed to last for up to 10 years.

How to use the Menstrual Cup

Wash your hands well
Insert the clean and folded cup... more »

Please add "I am already doing this" along with "I agree" and "I disagree" because most of the ideas are already submitted.

Use regular silverware or the new, lightweight (easy to carry) bamboo utensils. Takes less than a minute to clean your utensils and saves so much for the planet.

Home-scale anaerobic digesters produce more energy than solar panels anytime day or night, rain or shine while generating high-quality fertilizer for local food security and diverting organic waste from landfills. Biogas is the same as fossil natural gas only instead of taking 65 million years to make, we can make it every day in our own backyards, enjoying energy independence and security while improving the environment.... more »

Solar panels on my house produce more than enough energy for my car and my household electric needs. Compared to the cost of gas, I'm saving money. See how much:

The Annual Quality Report and water Conservation guide has been a required report since 1996. In many jurisdictions a whole booklet is mailed to all water meter owners for specific utilities. My recommendation is that instead of the entire report being mailed, why not mail a card directing the meter owners to a web site with the information, or offering to send copies to those who need hard copies. Millions of dollars... more »

During 1960s, the chemical fertilizers were introduced to the fields in the name of green revolution which created immense imbalance in soil chemistry, the soil biota. As a result of which the natural balance was totally disrupted. This green revolution created hundreds of environmental problems during last 5 decades.
In the same way, in modern era the genetic engineering tools are made in practice to disrupt the natural... more »

Honeybee populations are drastically declining due in part to viruses, monoculture and pesticides, but also due to fewer plants and flowers and habitat that support bees. If there are no bees there is no pollination and no fruits and many vegetables that rely on bees.