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Check back every Friday for a new GREEN TIP
to help the environment (and save money)!
Share these tips with your friends, neighbors, and co-workers.
Together, we can make a difference.

GREEN TIP-OF-THE-WEEK

WaterSense label

WaterSense makes sense.
Next time you buy a product that uses water (such as a new toilet or faucet), look for the WaterSense label. This label identifies high-quality, efficient products that will save water and money.
arrow more info (Environmental Protection Agency) Link to external site

Select a category to view more Green Tips:

view water tips
view energy tips
view waste tips
green tips flyer
     
  Download RealPlayer free software VIDEOS: "Real Player Basic" is required to view the video clips. To download the free software, click here.
   
SAVE WATER

car washing bucket

Wash your car, not the driveway.
Save water by going to a commercial car wash that recycles its water. If you wash your own car—park it on the grass, use a bucket of soapy water, and a hose with a shutoff nozzle.
arrow more water tips Link to external site
arrow video clip video

toilet with money

Stop flushing money down the toilet.
Did you know the average American flushes the toilet over 140,000 times in a lifetime? Save money and water by installing a low-flow toilet. Rebates of up to $100 are available.
arrow toilet rebate info
arrow video clip video

showerhead

Shower yourself with savings.
Keep your showers to five minutes or less (really!). By taking short showers and installing low-flow showerheads, you can save water and money.
arrow more water tips Link to external site
arrow video clip Link to streaming video

lawn mower

Avoid buzz cuts.
Avoid cutting your grass too short by raising the lawn mower blade to the highest setting. This helps grass retain moisture and grow deeper roots.
arrow more lawn tips Adobe Acrobat Reader
arrow video clip Link to streaming video

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SAVE ENERGY

washer dial set to cold

Make that a cold one.
Use cold water for washing clothes whenever possible. About 90% of the energy a washing machine uses is for heating the water. Switching your temperature setting from hot to warm can cut a load's energy use in half, and cold is even better.
arrow more laundry tips (Dept. of Energy) Link to external site
arrow video clip video

tank blanket illustration

Tanks need blankets—even in the summer.
When you go home tonight, touch your water heater. If it feels warm, you can save money by installing an insulation wrap (blanket). Insulation wraps are inexpensive ($10- $20 at local hardware stores) and easy to install.
arrow more info Link to external site
arrow video clip video

Power strip

Beware of phantom energy.
Phantom energy is the term for electronics (such as cell phone chargers or computers) drawing energy even when they are turned off. Prevent wasted energy by plugging electronics into a surge protector. Click the surge switch off at night or when the items are not being used.
arrow more energy tips Link to external site
arrow video clip Link to streaming video

keys in ignition

Idling is getting you nowhere.
Save fuel and reduce emissions by turning off your engine when you are parked or stopped (except in traffic) for more than a minute. Avoid idling at drive-thrus by walking inside.
arrow more driving tips Link to external site
arrow video clip video


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CUT WASTE

reusable bag with handles

BYOB.
Bring Your Own Bag
when you shop!
Sturdy reusable bags with handles are sold at local grocery stores for just $.99 - $1.50 each. Keep the bags in your back seat so you won’t forget them.
arrow video clip Link to streaming video

mailbox

Free yourself from junk mail.
Regain control of your mailbox with our simple (no cost) tips to reduce junk mail. Use our handy kit to get off mailing lists and cancel unwanted catalogs.
arrow Junk Mail Reduction Kit Adobe Acrobat Reader file
arrow video clip video


Green Lodge hotel

Stay at a Green Lodge.
The “Green Lodging” designation recognizes hotels that implement conservation measures, such as recycling services or low-flow toilets. You can choose from over 150 Green Lodging properties in Florida.
arrow Green Lodging list Link to external site
arrow green travel tips Link to external site
arrow video clip video

two-sided paper

Cover your back side.
Cut waste 50% by using both sides of the paper. Set your printer default at work and home to duplex (two-sided) printing. Make double-sided copies on the photocopier whenever possible.
arrow video clip Link to streaming video


girl in llibrary

Try before you buy.
Did you know that you could borrow—not only books—for free from your local library, but also DVDs, CDs, videos, and audio books? You can "try" new music or a movie without spending a cent.
arrow local library listing Link to external site
arrow download audio books Link to external site
arrow "Books By Mail" for homebound residents Link to external site
arrow video clip video


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TIPS FLYER
green tips flyer
bullet Cllck here to print a flyer with some of our most popular Green Tips.
bullet To request copies of the flyer, call (727) 464-3896 or e-mail pcuwebteamu@pinellascounty.org. We can provide electronic versions of the artwork (such as the Green Tips logo) if you'd like to include tips in a newsletter.

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Utilities billing address
PO Box 1780
Clearwater Fl 33757-1780

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