Bravo for recycling as much as you can. But putting in the wrong things- or dirty and greasy containers- can damage recycling equipment or cause a whole bin of recyclables to be tossed in the landfill. When in doubt, check your local rules or throw it out. Yes, I really did just say that!
How are you doing with your lighting? See how you stack up in the quiz below, and pat yourself on the back for the progress you’re making!
WARNING: Think twice about the lights. Someone at work turns out the lights in our restroom on occasion. One day I walked in and turned on the lights and a voice in the stall said, “thank you!”
Novice:
You’ve changed the light bulbs that get the most use, and are waiting for your
incandescent bulbs to burn out before replacing others.
Intermediate:
Among other changes, the outdoor lights are on a timer, and turn off
automatically at night. The lights are only on in a room if someone is in it.
Pro: All your
bulbs are high-efficiency, indoors and out. You’re talking to facilities
managers at your job and at the local school to make sure they’re on top of the
latest technologies.
The bottom line: the less you drive, the less you pollute. So do a little planning and combine your car trips to save time and gas. Swing by the grocery on the way back from the gym (my personal favorite), or stop at the bank after work. See how many errands you can get into one outing. Sound simple? Because it is.
According to the US Department of Transportation, the average driver is out on the road about 1,000 miles a month That’s a lot of time in the car!