ONBU 'Live Green' Tips

Live greener and bank greener with these 20 simple tips.

• Go as paperless as possible. You'll reduce your carbon footprint and lower your risk of identity fraud.
• Give the gift of green. Give family and friends the gift of a donation to their favorite environmental group, foundation or organization.
• Recycle old technology. Dell, Hewlett Packard, Apple and IBM, among others, offer recycling programs.
• Solar charge your iPod, Blackberry or GPS. Visit www.rewarestore.com to learn more.
• Drive smoothly to save gas. Rapid acceleration and braking can reduce fuel efficiency by up to 33%.
• Go fluorescent. Fluorescent light bulbs cost more, but use less energy and last longer, saving you money in the long run.
• Carry a bottle. Of water, that is. Refilling the same water bottle saves plastic (and money).
• Eat organic. Organic produce contains fewer chemicals. That’s better for you and the environment.
• Use rechargeable batteries. And be sure to recycle your non-rechargeable batteries. Visit www.rbrc.org to learn how.
• Say no to screen savers. Using a computer’s sleep mode reduces energy consumption by as much as 70 percent.
• Add some houseplants. They can actually filter the air in your house and rid it of pollutants. One houseplant per every ten square yards is a good guide.
• Do without paper towels. Rather than using disposable paper towels, use rags, sponges or towels.
• Can the extra fridge. While it may be convenient, that second refrigerator is a drain on the environment.
• Skip the dry cleaning. Many dry cleaning solvents contain toxic chemicals, like chlorine and formaldehyde, that linger in your clothes even after you bring them home.
• Air dry dishes and clothes. It takes longer but conserves valuable energy.
• Take shorter showers and avoid baths. Water conservation starts at home
• Install ceiling fans. They’re much more energy-efficient than blasting the a/c.
• Go solar. Solar screens cut 75% of the heat coming through your windows, but don’t impact visibility. And consider purchasing a solar oven for some cooking.
• Spend a night a week in candlelight. It’s romantic, fun and inspires new conversation.
• Recycle your plastic bags. Take your plastic grocery bags to the store and ask if you can use them again.