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.

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.  more info (Environmental Protection Agency)

Select a category to view more Green Tips:

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SAVE WATER

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.  more water tips  video clip

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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.  toilet rebate info  video clip

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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.  more water tips  video clip

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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. more lawn tips  video clip

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SAVE ENERGY

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.  more laundry tips (Dept. of Energy)  video clip

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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.  more info  video clip

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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.  more energy tips  video clip

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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.  more driving tips  video clip

CUT WASTE

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.  video clip

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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.  Junk Mail Reduction Kit   video clip

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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.  Green Lodging list   green travel tips   video clip

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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.  video clip

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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.  local library listing  download audio books  "Books By Mail" for homebound residents  video clip

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Utilities billing address
PO Box 1780
Clearwater Fl 33757-1780