Go Green, Go Blue!
10 Ways for Adults to be GREEN
- Think conservation when you shop…
Buy items that have minimal packaging. Whenever possible, buy products in bulk to reduce the amount of packaging. Bring your own shopping bags to the grocery. Buy products containing recycled materials to complete the recycling loop. - When shopping, choose organic and locally grown foods…
By choosing foods that are grown locally, you are reducing green house gas emissions from vehicles needed to transport food and you are supporting local farmers and local economy. Organic purchases have not been subject to fertilizers and pesticides that could harm our bodies and environment. - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle…
Defiance County Environmental Services has 16 locations through out the county to assist you recycle paper, newspaper, plastic, aluminum, steel, computers, cell phones, etc. Call 419-782-5442. - Make smart seafood choices…
Many of world’s fisheries are depleting. Be an informed consumer and purchase fish only from fisheries that promote a sustainable harvest. - Install energy-efficient lighting and appliances…
By installing compact fluorescent light bulbs and energy-saving appliances, you can save money on your electric bills and help the environment. - Use your car wisely...
We need our cars to get around, but could you drive less often? Consider walking or riding a bike, carpooling, or public transportation if available. Check on hybrids, or fuel efficient vehicles. - Use Fertilizer and pesticides cautiously…
Runoff form lawn fertilizers can be damaging to rivers, lakes and oceans and the animals and plants that live in those habitats. Make wise choices about your yard. - Prevent erosion…
You can help prevent erosion by planting native plants to anchor the soil in your yard. - Turn off or unplug electronics…
Unplugging unused electrical devices can save a lot of money. Electrical devices such as receivers for televisions (Dish, DirecTV, etc.), gaming devices (Wii, PS3, Nintendo), DVD players, alarm clocks, microwaves, coffee pots, etc. if NOT using, unplug them and watch your electric bill go down. - Start a composting bin…
Some foods can be composted. This would provide nutrients to gardens or lawn. Grass clippings, leaves and fruit and vegetable peels can make a great safe fertilizer.
7 Ways for Kids to be GREEN
- Reduce, reuse, recycle…
Think about ways to use things over and over again. If they can’t be reused, they may be able to be recycled. Trade toys you no longer play with, trade clothing with friends or donate. - Walk or take your bike…
Walk or ride a bike, versus getting a ride in a car. - Save water…
You can conserve water by turning off the faucet when brushing your teeth or washing dishes. You can also take shorter showers or fill the tub not as full. - Turn off the lights…
If you are not using something, turn it off. Shut the lights off when you leave a room. - Put trash in garbage cans…
Litter makes parks and roads look bad and it can be harmful to wildlife. Animals may eat plastic or paper that smells like food and get sick as a result. Take the extra effort to put up trash you see and put it in the trash can. - Recharge batteries…
A lot of toys and games have batteries. Ask your parents to buy rechargeable batteries so that the same batteries can be used to power the toys again and again. - Green up your school…
Talk to classmates and teachers at school about the school recycling program. What can you do to help it grow?
10 Ways to be BLUE
- Plant native plants…
Homeowners can save up to 100,000 gallons of water a year by planting grasses, trees, shrubs and flowers that are native to their area and don’t require more water than the average rainfall. - Shower smart…
A low-flow showerhead can conserve up to 20,000 gallons of water a year for a family of four. - Turn off the water…
You can conserve water by turning off the faucet when brushing your teeth or washing dishes. You can try washing dishes with water in the sink instead of leaving the water run. You can purchase an every efficient dish washer. - Use the fridge, not the faucet.
Have you ever run the water in the faucet until it got cold? Why not fill a pitcher of water and store it in the refrigerator? This provides cold water anytime without sending a lot of water down the drain. - Dump NO Waste in a sewer it drains to River!
or To a lake, or to a sea or to the ocean. Many of the storm sewers we have in our neighborhoods drain directly to a local water source. Never dump anything in these storm sewers; paint, oil and other household materials will end up in the aquatic habitats and harm the plants and animals. - Choose smart seafood…
Many of the world’s species of fish are endangered. Choose to buy and consume only fish that are harvested sustainably. Some fish, such as swordfish and shark are being caught faster than they can reproduce. Some fisheries accidentally catch sea turtles, dolphins, sharks and other animals along with the fish they intend to catch. Read the labels, many fisheries proclaim where and how they catch their product. - Pick up Litter…
Garbage/litter can be dangerous to our water sources. Take the time to pick it up and dispose of properly. - Use fertilizer and pesticides cautiously…
Runoff from lawn fertilizers can be damaging to rivers, lakes and oceans. Make wise choices about your lawn care. - Save energy…
Believe it or not, driving less and turning down the heat may help protect marine life. Rising global temperatures, which scientists attribute in part to fossil fuel burning, have had a devastating effect on many marine species. - Learn more…
Almost every day, scientists and zoologists learn more about oceans and the animals that live in them. Educating yourself on new ways to conserve (with water in mind), may help save our drinking resources and oceans.