While you may not be able to build a straw bale house, you take many
of the actions noted below:
| Presentation Center Green Feature |
Lesson: What you can do |
Resource Saved |
| Straw Bales Walls |
Better insulate the ceiling, walls, even floor of your home |
Electricity, Gas |
| |
Buy non-wood alternatives |
Trees |
| |
Buy locallyt – within 100 - 500 miles |
Gasoline |
| Recycled newspaper ceiling & tiles |
Buy recycled products wherever possible |
Trees, Glass, Petroleum, Aluminum |
| Recycling |
Recycle paper, plastic, cans |
Trees, Petroleum, Aluminum |
| |
Recycle batteries |
Metals, Chemicals |
| |
Recyle electronic devices (cell phones, light-up shoes, electronic
stuff) |
Silicon, metals, Chemicals |
| Composting |
Set up a worm bin, compost produce scraps |
Gasoline, Fertilizer |
| Lighting |
Replace all lights with Compact Flourescent Lights (CFLs) |
Electricity |
| |
Put timers on lights |
Electricity |
| |
TURN OFF THE LIGHTS! |
Electricity |
| Daylighting |
Open the curtains/blinds & use natural light. Do not turn on lights |
Electricity |
| Living Roof |
Plant native plants -- friendly for native insects & wildlife |
Water & Wildlife |
| |
Plant drought tolerant plants |
Water |
| |
Use drip irrigation (90% efficient vs 20-50% sprinklers) |
Water |
| |
Don't use pesticides -- or use minimally and "greenest" possible |
Wildlife & People |
| |
Reduce or eliminate the lawn |
Wildlife & People |
| Passive Solar |
You can't re-situate your home, but you can install awnings & deciduous
trees to cool your home in summer & warm it in winter. |
Electricity, Gas |
| Solar Photovoltaic Panels |
If you can, install solar panels -- look for rebates & deals |
Electricity |
| Solar Hot Water Collectors |
Especially if you have a pool, install thermal solar collectors |
Gas |
| Limewash/Paint |
Buy non-toxic paints so you breathe less toxic air |
People |
| Windows |
Open your windows to get fresh air -- 10x better for your health |
Electricity |
| |
Replace old windows with-double paned windows |
Electricity, Gas |
| Thermostats |
Buy & use programmable thermostats |
Electricity |
| Ceiling Fans |
Use ceiling fans to reduce use of air conditioners |
Electricity |
| Electric Cars |
Buy hybrid or fuel efficient car |
Gasoline |
| |
Drive less: batch your trips & walk more |
Gasoline |
| Water Conserving Features |
Install low-flush toilets, low-flow showerheads |
Water |
| Energy Star Appliances |
Buy most energy efficient appliances you can, when you replace old
ones |
Electricity |
| |
Close the fridge door! |
Electricity |
| |
Fill the washing machineÉdonÕt do small loads |
Electricity, Water |
| Dining Hall Plates, Glasses, Cutlery |
Use real plates, glasses, cutlery -- not disposables: paper plates,
cups, plastic cutlery |
Trees, Petroleum |
| Dining Hall Napkins |
Use unbleached, recycled napkins or, even better, use cloth napkins |
Trees |
| Organic Garden |
Start a small organic garden & buy organic as much as possible |
Plants, People & Wildlife |
| Beehives |
Don't use pesticides in your yard or garden Éhelp the bees. Plant
bee friendly plantsÉ. |
Birds, bees & wildlife |
| Educational Eco-Corner & Eco-Resouce Center |
Take time to learn more ways to be "green" |
The Earth |
