Clean Ocean Action: Daily Living

10 Tips For Everyday Living

1. Reduce, reuse, & recycle to save money and natural resources, as well as improve the quality of our environment.

2. Buy in bulk quantities. Reuse & refill the containers. When purchasing any items, bring your own bags and do not purchase over-packaged items.

3. Save water by using less. For example, turn off the water while brushing teeth, take shorter showers, and if washing a car, use a qualified facility that recycles water.

4. Reduce the use of disposable items, such as plastic straws, lighters, cups, diapers, razors, or pens. All disposables generate toxics, use up precious resources, are not generally recyclable, and fill our landfills. Instead, buy items that are reusable.

5. Use environmentally safe products in your home and office. For more information see COA’s “Tips for Cleaning” and other tip cards.

6. Be proactive by writing manufacturers and retailers. Urge them to make and sell recyclable products, and to use minimal packaging and environmentally safe products.

7. Vote. You have the power to demand change. Talk or write to elected officials about environmental issues and hold them accountable.

8. Replace inefficient items in your home to save energy and money. At minimum, look for “Energy Star” products. Replace incandescent light bulbs with energy-saving fluorescent bulbs. Replacing just one bulb will save $44 and .25 tons of coal.

9. Educate family, friends, employers, and others of their responsibility to the environment. Inform anyone you see littering, or otherwise harming the environment, about pollution issues.

10. Implement these tips and get involved with environmental groups. Visit websites for information, alternative products, and ideas for what you can do to make a difference.