Saving our planet may seem like an overwhelming task, but even the simplest everyday activities can make a real difference to the environment. At home, shopping or in the garden - take action for our living planet by following some simple tips.

In your home, unplug electronic equipment like televisions and cell phone chargers when you're not using them - if they are plugged in they are still using power and contributing to global warming. To save water, turn off the tap when brushing your teeth and collect the water used to wash vegetables and salad to water your houseplants. Household batteries and electronics often contain dangerous chemicals that may, if sent to a local landfill, leak through the bottom barrier and pollute the groundwater. Some of the greatest threats to future resources come from things we throw away everyday so make sure to properly dispose of used car batteries and other hazardous household wastes. The more we throw away, the more space we take up in landfills. The less we throw away, the longer our landfills will last. Recycling, composting and reusing all reduce landfill waste.

When going shopping, take your own bags to carry home your purchases. When selecting your products, look for items with less packaging- including bottled water. Choose biodegradable cleaning products, energy-efficient household appliances and recycled paper products. Before making a trip to the grocery store, check out the Citrus Heights Farmers Market for locally grown food. Buying locally ensures fresher food with more nutrients, keeps local, rural farmers in business and reduces environmental harm caused by the many issues involved with the mass transportation of food.

 

In the garden, collect rainwater to water your flowers. When possible, plant local species of trees and see what wildflowers naturally appear in your garden. Stop using chemical pesticides and try to use natural products instead. Try to attract birds to your garden as they eat aphids and other gardeners' pests. You may also want to consider building a rain garden. Rain gardens are shallow, landscaped depressions that capture rain water that runs off roofs and/or pavement. When it rains, stormwater from your roof or pavement is directed to the rain garden. The garden allows the water to slowly filter and soak into the ground. This reduces the amount of runoff that flows into the streets, which normally picks up pollutants along the way before it washes into storm drains. For more information on how to make your own rain garden, view the Rain Garden Post Card and visit the Sacramento County Stormwater Quality Program.

 

*Tips provided by World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

 

Sacramento County Municipal Services Agency

 

Top Ten Things You Can Do To Reduce Global Warming

 

World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

 

Sustainable Table

 

What is E85?

 

E85 Fueling Station Locator

National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition

U.S. Dept. of Energy E85 Information Site