Live Green Tips

A Clean Keyboard and a Clean Earth

No one likes a gross keyboard; when cleaning your keyboard, do so in a sustainable manner. Forget traditional keyboard cleaners, which are full of toxic chemicals and greenhouse gases. Instead, turn your keyboard upside over a trash can, then run a strip of double-sided tape between the keys. You can also buy a refillable duster that can be refreshed with a bicycle pump. Repurposing an old toothbrush, is also used in removing material from in-between keys.

Air Fresheners

Many air fresheners bought at the store (particularly those with pine, orange and lemon scents) may emit harmful levels of toxic pollutants, especially when used repeatedly or in small, poorly ventilated rooms, according to Berkeley researchers. Make sure your home is free of these air fresheners.

Formaldehyde Safety

Read labels on building products, cleaners and cosmetics to look for formaldehyde, urea formaldehyde (UF) or phenol formaldehyde (PF). Also, avoid pressed woods or particleboard in favor of solid wood or antique/used wood furniture. Lastly, don't forget to only paint or apply oil polish in a well-ventilated area.

Thoughtful Unclogging

Save money and avoid adding harsh chemicals to waterways. Try this recipe first for drain clogs: pour 1/4-cup baking soda down the drain, then add 1-cup vinegar. Cover for 15 minutes. Then rinse the drain with boiling water (and repeat if necessary). A plunger may be beneficial for a serious clog.

Nylon's Many Uses

It seems that nylons only last a few uses before snagging. Don't fear, though, as these amazing accessories have many uses. You can put them over the end of a broom and use it as a duster that extends to those hard-to-reach places; you can use them to dust or polish your furniture or your shoes; you can save them to stake plants, as well.

Shiny Sterling

Looking for a chemical-free way to shine your holiday sterling? Try plain white toothpaste or baking soda. For extra-resistant tarnish, leave the baking soda on the sterling for an hour or so before buffing.

Be an Energy Mindful Communicator

If you can, try sending a text message or e-mail from a handheld device or cell phone, instead of from a desktop computer. You'll save yourself time and conserve energy.

Find Money in Your Washer and Dryer

Energy and budget efficient tips:

• Dry clothes only as long as necessary, instead of the whole cycle.
• Hang your clothes to dry.
• Remove and fold clothes immediately to avoid ironing.
• Keep your lint tray clean.
• Use only the recommended amount of soap (too much soap makes your washer work harder).
• Use cold water.
• If you have multiple loads, dry consecutively, while the dryer is warm.

Fridge-Economics!

Defrosting your refrigerator before it is plagued with ice can help your fridge run more efficiently. Remember to check the temperature to make sure the fridge is set between 37-40 degrees and the freezer between 0-10 degrees. Keep your fridge tidy so that you can find what you are looking for quickly. Up to 30% of the cold air held within the fridge escapes each time you open the door, so the quicker you grab and close the door, the better.  

Keep Your Kitchen Costs Down!

Try out these kitchen-friendly tips to increase energy-efficiency:

• Cook with small appliances.
• Avoid pre-heating your oven unless it is a short baking job.
• Use the oven more when it is cold outside, and when done baking (and if oven door is out of reach for pets and children) leave the oven door open a crack to cool down, letting the heat help warm your living space.

Power Tools

Get your workout in when you are improving the home by using hand tools in place of power tools whenever possible. For those jobs that require power tools, make sure tools are well maintained to ensure safety and efficiency.

Switch Off Properly

Televisions, DVD players and other electronic equipment (including gaming consoles) can use nearly as much energy when left on standby as when they are in use. To avoid wasting energy, unplug equipment when you are not using it. To make things as easy as possible, plug multiple devices into a power strip, which you can switch on and off at once. If you are like the average college student, you likely own a gaming console.

Fun fact: Gaming consoles consume nearly as much power when they are left idle as they do when you are playing them. Remember to turn it off when you are not using it!

Can It!

Consider preserving some of the bounty of the harvest of your or someone else's garden! Pickling, preserving and canning are all great ways to eat "local" during the winter months when, in Iowa, we can't have gardens.

Support Local

Look for local options for purchasing food. In addition to supporting local economies, you will reduce your carbon footprint because your food will travel fewer miles to get to you.

Co-op Power

Consider shopping at a food co-op to take advantage of great deals on locally-grown and produced. Food co-ops also offer many options in bulk.

Avoid "Shock and Withdrawal"

Do you find it hard to turn your heat down to the recommended temperature all at once? Try turning it down a bit more each week and adding blankets and sweaters as you go.

Be Shade Smart

On sunny days during the cool months, keep draperies and shades open for south facing windows. Close them at dusk. During warm months, keep shades closed.

Bigger Is Not Always Better

A furnace that is too large for your space does not necessarily heat your home any better, but it does drive up your heating bill. When choosing a new furnace look for an energy efficient one (92% AFUE or higher).

Ceiling Fan Smarts

Fun fact: Your ceiling fan has a switch that helps the fan cool or heat, depending on the direction it is switched. In the summer, make sure your ceiling fan is pushing air downward (counter clockwise), and in the winter the fan should be pushing air upward (clockwise).

Do You Need a New Furnace?

Not sure if you need a new furnace? You can save money by upgrading your furnace to an energy-efficient model. Does your furnace fit into one of these categories? (1) Is more than 15 years old; (2) Needs frequent repairs; (3) Creates uneven temperatures (some rooms too cold and some too hot); (4) Creates humidity problems. If so, you may want to consider your options. 

Install a Time-Programmable Thermostat

When looking into a programmable thermostat, check into one that offers pre-programmed settings, such as "wake," "day," "evening" and "sleep." This way, you have to set the temperature only once, instead of having to remember to reset it multiple times per day.

Install an Energy-Efficient Furnace

In the market for a new furnace? Install an energy-efficient furnace (92% AFUE or higher). They run about $6,000 but can save you up to 20% of your heating costs.

Keep It Clear

Make sure heating registers and radiators are not blocked by furniture, drapes or other objects.

Myth Buster: Gas Fireplaces

Myth: A gas fire in the fireplace will help warm my house and reduce my overall gas usage.

Fact: Through a study by the Gas Technology Institute, gas fireplaces actually increase gas usage in most homes. Gas fireplaces range from 5-60% efficiency and gas furnaces have 80-90% efficiency.

Myth Buster: Space Heaters

Myth: Use space heaters to lower your heating bill – they use the same amount of energy as a coffee maker.

Fact: A space heater and coffee maker do draw a similar current – but remember a coffee maker is only on for a short period of time, while a space heater will be used for consecutive hours.

Myth Buster: Wintertime Dilemmas

Myth: If I turn down the heat while I am gone, it will cost more than I save to warm the house back up when I get home.

Fact: The longer your house remains at a lower temperature, the more energy you save. If you have a programmable thermostat, set it to turn back when you leave and to warm up 30 minutes before you come home.

Plant Trees to Save Money

Consider planting shade trees on the south and west sides of your home to cool during summer and protect during the winter. You can also plant shrubs around your foundation.

Replace Old Windows

By replacing single-paned windows with double-paned ENERGY STAR windows, you can reduce your heating and cooling costs. Note, the U-Factor (found on the label) should be 0.3 or less.

Set Your Temp Back

Fun fact: You could lower your heating and cooling bills by up to $180 per year by setting the temperature cooler in the winter (or warmer during the summer) by 10 degrees for eight hours each day.

Stay Cool

The best time to buy an air conditioner is after the hot season. When shopping for an air conditioner, be sure to look for ENERGY STAR models.

Winter Energy Tips

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, many homes have the potential to eliminate 50% of their annual energy use. When it comes to heating, one way to do this is to seal air leaks. Fixing these leaks can save 40% of your heating energy. Usually, the largest sources of leakage are the rim joint areas at the top of the basement foundation or holes in the attic.

A tiny crack around a window may not seem like a big deal; however, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, a 1/16-inch crack is like leaving the window open 3-inch all year long!

Be an Energy-Conscious Traveler

It is easy to leave your hotel room lights or TV on because you are not directly paying the bill. Next time you travel, consider being as cognizant of your energy usage in hotels as you would be at home.

Be Holly, Jolly, and Green

Waste increases by almost 25% from Thanksgiving to Christmas. Four million tons of landfill waste is composed of shopping bags and gift wrap, and our cards could fill a football field 10 stories high. Try sending e-cards for the holidays or choose to wrap gifts in reusable shopping bags or wrapped in newspaper or colorful store ads.

Be the Brightest – And Greenest – Bulb on the Tree!

Consider switching out old holiday lights for LED (light-emitting diode) lights. They use less electricity and emit hardly any heat – decreasing the risk of fire. Additionally, they often last up to 20 years.

Group Gifting

If you are part of shopping for office, group or team gifts, think useful.

Party Planning 101

Tailgating and Super Bowl parties, as well as other gathering events, can generate a large amount of waste. Reduce your wasteprint by reducing packaging and single use – buy in bulk and bring one package instead of individual ones, make something and bring it in a reusable container, choose reusable dinnerware and/or utensils bringing food and have a recycling bin handy to capture the recyclables from your gathering.

Halloween Happenings

No room or time to care for a real holiday tree? Consider a smaller, potted tree that can add health benefits long after the holidays. Store it on a porch or garage, and when the ground warms up, offer it to a park or friend or family who have space for planting – especially on south and west sides to act as wind blockers.

Holiday Living Trees

Instead of getting a large tree that has been grown and cut down, try getting a smaller, potted Christmas tree. Store it on a porch or garage, and when the ground warms up, plant it. Do not forget to plant trees on the south and west sides of your property to act as wind blockers.

Holiday Non-Living Trees and Decorations

If your holiday tree was a real one this year, with all the evergreen trimmings, remember to compost all of your holiday “greens” after your celebrations are complete – almost every municipality has a composting program.

Secretly Green Santa

Does your office do Secret Santa or a gift exchange? Consider making a gift or buying one that incorporates one or more sustainability components – environmental, economic or social sustainability. Include a little note with your gift explaining its unique qualities.

Vacation Simpler

Vacations are a time to relax, recharge and regroup - that can also support sustainability. Staycationing, or choosing a location within a few hours driving radius or reachable by walking, biking, riding horses or public transportation, adds additional adventures.

Solar Power

Light your outdoor spaces (small and large) and save money. Solar lights collect energy from the sun during the day to provide illumination at night.

Use Task Lighting

Switch off overhead room lighting and opt for a desk lamp or room lamps when feasible for lighting needs. Save money and enjoy a cozier feeling space without unneeded extra lighting.

Maintaining Your Wattage

An easy way to ensure the longest and most efficient life for your lighting is maintenance. Make sure you are using the correct wattage for your light fixture or lamp and add dusting your light bulbs as part of your cleaning routine.

Mind Your Mark

Instead of disposing of an entire marker at the end of its useful life, consider markers with refillable heads. Less waste and multiple options for eco-friendly inks.    

Making Connections

Planning a trip for a group or team? Consider locations offering sustainable venues and amenities such as eco-minded construction, outdoor gathering and recreation space and local catering. In addition, when meeting in person is not necessary save time and travel expenses and opt for virtual connections.

Paper Clips

Recycle your paper clips or reuse the ones you have. Enough paper clips are produced each year to hand every person in the world at least three. For every 100,000 paper clips produced, only 20,000 are used to hold paper together. The rest are not being used.

Picky About Pens

Each year, Americans discard 1.6 billion disposable pens. Placed end to end, they would stretch more than 150,000 miles, equivalent to crossing the Pacific Ocean from Los Angeles to Tokyo more than 25 times. Consider refillable options or disposables made from recycled materials.

Sticky Note Smarts

Sales of adhesive notes are estimated at about $1 billion per year. A pack of 100 sells for about $1.25, which means that some 80 billion little sticky notes are stuck somewhere each year. To support recycling and reuse, look for sticky notes made of 100% recycled fiber (and ideally including postconsumer content).

The Many Lives of a File Folder

File folders have infinite use options. They can be relabeled, turned inside out, decorated and redecorated and used for standalone storage or multi-folder organization system. Add some additional eco-impact and look for 100% recycled file folders with post-consumer recycled fiber. As paper products make up about half of municipal trash, file folders also offer an impressive waste diversion opportunity!

Deterring Pests

Opportunities to deter insects and slugs from your garden are right in your kitchen. Instead of buying commercial mixes, consider creating your own blend using one garlic bulb, one medium onion and one tablespoon cayenne pepper mixed into one quart of water. Use this blend as a spray. 

Turfing Natively

Greening Your Paved Spaces

Anything that washes off your porch, sidewalks, driveway or street (and even your deck) can make its way into local waterways. Sweeping any grass clippings, leaves and fertilizer away from driveways and streets helps to prevent this runoff. When removing ice in winter, opt for melting products that are safe for pets and waterways to also assist in water quality.

Keep the Pavement Clean

Sustainable landscaping can be more important than you may realize. Anything that washes off your driveway or street (like lawn fertilizer, eroded soil, pet waste and leaves) runs directly into storm drains and then into our streams, ponds and lakes. Consider sweeping your grass clippings, leaves and fertilizer away from driveways and streets to prevent this type of runoff.

Rain, Rain, Do Not Go Away!

Snow Days

For smaller snow removal jobs, a shovel can save time and money - as well as just be more convenient for the quick scoops.

Research Your Routine

Many personal care product ingredients have not been evaluated for safety by the FDA. Try shopping for all-natural brands or see if your brand is a part of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.

Resist the Lure of Upgrades

We are forever being encouraged o switch to the newest, most trendy phone, sometimes long before the existing one is defunct. Before replacing consider the 3Rs. 1. Reduce - do you really need a new phone right now? Waiting can assist your economic sustainability. 2. Reuse - if you decide it's time to replace, look for a donation option for your old phone to offer a working phone to someone else. 3. Recycle - if your phone is well past its useful life, make sure to find a recycling program and keep repurposable materials out of the landfill.

Celebrate Bike to Work Week

Challenge friends, colleagues and family to bike during Bike to Work Week every May. It does not just have to be for work, it can be to school, meetings or even errands. Even better, consider creating a "challenge" (with prizes) for teams that earn points for miles biking, boarding, walking and using public transportation instead of driving.

Drive Green and Save Some Green

Try using some of these energy-efficient driving practices to save some cash: 

• Explore these sustainable driving practices to save some cash:
• Drive at a steady pace - use your cruise control and "feather" starts and "coast" into stops.
• In winter, warm up your vehicle for only a minimal amount of time.
• Drive below the speed limit –  speeding tickets are expensive.
• Choose fresh air before air conditioned when feasible.
• Check your tire pressure regularly. Under-inflated tires reduce fuel efficiency.
• Stay maintained - regular car maintenance, filter and oil changes and overall checkups ensures the best performance and limits surprise repairs.
• Limit Idling and turn off your vehicle while waiting for trains at railroad crossings and in other instances of stopped traffic - saving money and making the most of your gas mileage.

Get There Greener

Does your company offer a public transportation reimbursement program or opportunities to purchase public transit passes pre-tax? If so, consider taking advantage of these programs, no parking hassles or personal vehicle expenses.

Green Your BBQ

Did you know that a propane or electric grill produces fewer emissions than charcoal? If charcoal is your preference, look for lump brands from invasive tree species or harvested from sustainably-managed forests. Additionally, "green up" a bit more by using a chimney starter to light your fire rather than lighter fluid - a metal cylinder that you fill with charcoal to create a "chimney effect."

Buy Less, Waste Less

Everything you buy from a store, from radishes to hairclips, required energy to grow or extract, manufacture, package, transport and sell. By finding ways to curb consumption, you can lower your carbon footprint. For example, fixing a broken item instead of throwing it away requires no additional energy or resources unlike purchasing new. Look for specialist repair shops in your area, or learn a new skill yourself, such as furniture upholstery or renovation.  The Ames and ISU Repair Cafes are also great opportunities to learn repair skills. If you do find you need to replace an item, consider buying used - saving money and resources.

Beverage Sustainably 

Americans use hundreds of billions of disposable cups each year, an average of 250-500 billion in fact. Styrofoam cups will stay on the planet for nine generations, enough time for your great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandchildren to be born. Opt for reusable mugs, water bottles or thermos bottles (to use for hot or cold beverages) instead. Many coffee shops, including all cafes at ISU, offer a mug/bottle discount for reusables.

Cut the Wrap

For many Americans, a significant proportion of the household garbage can's contents consists of packaging. Even before recycling, think about reducing waste while shopping. Consider choosing products sold in refillable containers and save money and waste during your next shopping trip. Have favorite brands? Ask stores if they carry them or introduce them to the stores.

Do Not Be a Litter Bug

Dispose of waste properly. Ninety-four percent of Americans identify litter as a major environmental problem. The biggest sources of litter are cigarette butts, bottles and cans, candy wrappers and fast-food packaging. In fact, more than 2 billion pounds of cigarette butts are discarded annually, as litter, worldwide.

Pack a Waste-Free Lunch

Switch out plastic bags, plastic utensils, disposable containers, paper napkins and brown paper bags with a reusable lunchbox, drink containers, cloth napkins and silverware - no waste and much less to purchase.

Safe Disposal for Household Hazardous Materials (HHMs)

Although not hazardous for your use, cleaning, health and beauty products can become harmful if put into the trash. These items can be properly disposed of, at no charge, through community HHM disposal programs. Learn more about HHMs you may have and how to properly disposing of them on the City of Ames website. 

Recharge and Recycle

Rechargeable batteries offer longer lifespan and a recycling option at the end of their useful life. Non-rechargeable/single use batteries have very limited recycling options and would need to be replaced up to a 100 times as compared to a rechargeable option.

Save Time, Money and Trees With Online Billing

The average American spends 2-4 hours per month paying bills when they write and mail paper checks. Going paperless saves paper, time, postage and trips to the post office. 

Be Bucket Smart

Leave a bucket in the shower to fill with "gray water," (water that runs when you are lathering up). You can use this water to water your plants (except for plants you intend to eat), as well as for cleaning projects.

Less Water Dishwashing

If done properly, washing dishes by hand can be more more water (and energy) efficient than using a dishwasher - especially for small volumes of dishes. Here's how... plug your kitchen sink, or use a large, plastic bowl, and fill with water and suds for washing - changing water as it becomes dirty. Minimize the number of times you need to change the sudsy water by washing the least-dirty items first. When all dishes are washed, pour clean water over them to rinse all together, instead of individually. If you do need to conserve time in dishwashing and choose a dishwasher, wait to wash when you have a full dishwasher load, and no need to rinse dishes beforehand (saving up to 20 gallons per load).

Practice Smart Showering

Save water through a few easy ways while showering. First, challenge yourself to reduce your normal shower time by just one minute - saving 3-4 gallons of water for each minute reduction. Second, turn water off or down to a trickle when lathering hair and shaving - saving more gallons. Finally, if you have the ability to change your showerhead, consider a low-flow option. Still the same water pressure, just more water efficient - and reasonably priced with many style and finish options. Look for WaterSense labeling.

Save on the Flush

If you you are able to make the choice when toilets are replaced, consider installing a water-efficient toilet - a water saving difference of 20-60% each month and up to 13,000 gallons of water each year. The equivalent of a large swimming pool (15'x30'x4') or two tanker trucks.

Soaking Instead of Watering

If using a hose for watering plants, flowers and gardens, consider soaking instead. Soaker hoses water more efficiently by sending moisture straight into the ground, near plants' roots, rather than into the air, where water is lost to evaporation.

Water Heater Smarts

Your water heater can be a source of wasted energy. By insulating your hot water heater (an easy DIY), you can avoid heat loss and energy needed to keep water hot from heat loss. Additionally, setting your hot water heater at 120-140 degrees is the maximum needed (for household needs), lowers heating bills. If you have the option to choose water heater replacements, consider a tankless water heater (offering "on demand" rather than "constant source" hot water) to further reduce energy usage and costs.