Green Your Home Switch to green power Reduce water use Buy local; reduce fossil fuel consumption for transportation and plastic and paper needed for transport Buy low VOC (volatile organic compounds) products, such as paint and cleaning products, these products will not have the same harsh toxins as the high VOC products; look for non-toxic, biodegradable options for cleaners. Save a tree, buy 100% post consumer recycled for all your paper needs Buy unbleached paper, bleaching can create harmful byproducts, that can accumulate in the air, water and soil over time Remove yourself from junk email lists, contact the Direct Marketing Association's Mail Preference Service at P.O. Box 643, Carmel, NY 10512 or www.dmachoice.org. Opt out of credit card or insurance offers at OptOutPrescreen.com or by calling 888-567-8688, a single automated phone line maintained by the major credit bureaus. Carry reusable shopping bags, so no to “paper or plastic” Reduce use of plastics: bags, bottles and more, plastic is petroleum, the processing and burning of which is considered one of the main contributors of global warming, according to the EPA, plastics in a landfill increases greenhouse gases Use environmentally friendly flooring such as bamboo, cork or eucalyptus which has fast rates to replenish themselves; other choices are linoleum, recycled content tile or non VOC carpet Plant trees to provide shade and wind protection for your home Use native plants, their adapted to your soil and climate, which will save you time and money nurturing them Leave grass clippings on lawn, they decompose and make good fertilizer Minimize use of pesticides Keep indoors plants, some plants are particularly effective absorbers of harmful pollutants emitted from carpets, furniture, and electronic equipment. So clean your indoor air and "green" your living space by filling your home with spider plants, Boston ferns, rubber plants, and palm trees. Use manual, human-powered equipment instead of electric appliances, such as: manual can openers, whisks, walk behind lawn mowers Recycle old cell phones, batteries, televisions, anything electronic; don’t put it in a landfill Build a compost pile Install a rain barrel that can collect rainwater, plants love it Buy organic linens Don’t dry clean your clothes, dry cleaning solutions are highly toxic Donate used goods to charity, don’t throw them away Use durable goods, such as a cloth napkin at dinner instead of paper towel, use a real plate instead of a paper plate Don’t forget to recycle glass, plastic, aluminum cans and paper